Kim Jackson

Some careers follow a straight line. Kim Jackson’s? Think more like a river—meandering, carving its way through unexpected terrain, sometimes swift, sometimes calm, but always moving forward. That’s been the rhythm of her journey—and it’s worked. Exceptionally well.

Kim described her path in facility management as “accidental,” though anyone who’s watched her in action knows there’s a lot of careful thought about moves and changes. Her career is a collection of experiences, each one feeding the next: a door closes, another opens. Some may call it serendipity; Kim calls it curiosity in action.

“I’ve taken bits and pieces from different positions and different mentors to shape a career,” she said. “There was never a strict, step-by-step plan for success.”

Early on, she was fascinated by what makes organizations financially successful. Accounts receivable might not sound glamorous, but Kim found creativity in the details—knowing that delays aren’t personal and that there’s a real art to getting money flowing efficiently. That blend of analytical skill and human insight became a theme in her work: understanding systems, being sensitive about working with each individual’s strengths and weaknesses and finding the sweet spot where both intersect.

Her career has also been a masterclass in adaptability. If something isn’t working, she finds a new channel, applies her talents in a different way, and keeps moving. Facility management isn’t a ladder, she’ll tell you—it’s a wave, and sometimes you have to trust the current, navigate around obstacles, and know when to take a new path.

Kim’s boss and long-time mentor, Robin Brady, suggested her husband’s company had an opening she thought Kim would be perfect for — IFMA. Kim was hired into an accounting role, but during the interview Linda Beverly shared that the IFMA Foundation Manager position would likely open soon. She was right. Three weeks later, Kim stepped into that role and began working with Vicky Hardy (now chair) and the Trustees.

“Very quickly, I fell in love with association management — and the FM profession,” said Kim who is now IFMA’s Executive Director, Business Development and has been with the organization more than 20 years.

Kim’s knack for spotting potential in people and ideas has made her a bridge-builder, especially through her work with IFMA. She’s always upbeat, always thinking about how to add value, and always ready to share insights on ways to help others perform at a high level.

Teaching and training are consistent thread. From learning the “Pizza Pizza” cadence of computer instruction to customizing corporate courses on the fly, Kim has honed a skill few can claim: the ability to meet learners wherever they are. She’s taught adults who’ve never touched a computer and those who live for keyboard shortcuts, figuring it out night by night, always thinking on her feet, while keeping her students moving forward. “Fake it till you make it,” she laughed—but behind the humor is a deep respect for the learning process and the art of motivation.

Long before it was trendy to combine psychology and English into a career in sales or leadership, Kim was drawing on her understanding of people—what drives them, what inspires them, what challenges them. That curiosity, coupled with her openness to opportunity, has defined her professional life: a life focused on learning, teaching, and loving every facet of facility management.

In Kim Jackson, you see the power of curiosity meeting courage, adaptability meeting insight, and experience embracing opportunity. She didn’t plan every step—and maybe that’s why every step mattered.

Offering encouragement for Women in Facilities, Kim said, “Know your value and own it. It will give you the confidence to speak up, to share your knowledge and expertise, and to excel in the FM profession.”

She added, “Don’t settle for good enough. Strive for perfection and exhibit excellence. Know your value and position yourself to take on roles that challenge you and offer better compensation whether that’s respect, a promotion, an increase in pay, a bonus or moving to a different company.”