Isn’t it Lovely to be a Bridge-builder? Special Guest: Kimberly Reed

“What can you do when opportunities come your way to make the world a better place?”

Tracy and Rachel are honored and delighted to sit down with literal history-maker Kimberly Reed to discuss her wide-ranging career in Washington D.C. and groundbreaking role as the first female Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM). Kim expertly weaves anecdotes from her childhood and personal life into experiences from her professional life, including reflecting on delivering a hot cocoa demonstration as a nine-year-old girl to a panel of 4-H judges, which sparked the healthy self-confidence she would one day need to sit before the U.S. Senate for the two and a half year process that eventually led to her confirmation (with bi-partisan support!) with the EXIM bank. Kim encourages listeners to consider the avenues and opportunities they have to serve others and help make the world a better place, while also including a shoutout to past guest and friend of the show Luke Lindberg and the vital importance of mentoring. Tracy marvels at the epic tale of how Kim had a mere one hour notice to prepare to take her oath of office and what she found on her bookshelf that gave her the encouragement she needed, while Rachel cannot get over “Poppers” as an adorable nickname for a grandfather. Later, city girls Rachel and Tracy hilariously lament the fact that they missed out on the advantages of being involved in 4-H.

Episode Mentions:

• Kim Reed’s LinkedIn: Kimberly Reed

• Export-Import Bank of the United States

• Belt and Road Initiative

• Midwest Agricultural Export Summit

• Senator John Thune, Senator Mike Rounds, and Congressman Dusty Johnson

• 4-H

• Luke Lindberg Isn’t it Lovely? Podcast Show Notes and Interview

• Luke Lindberg’s LinkedIn: Luke J. Lindberg

What Are You Loving:

• Badlands National Park

• The Mitchell Corn Palace

• It Cosmetics Website: https://www.itcosmetics.com/

• Jamie Kern Lima Website: https://jamiekernlima.com/

• Jamie Kern Lima Instagram: @jamiekernlima

• Believe IT by Jamie Kern Lima

• https://www.loreal-finance.com/eng/news-release/loreal-signs-agreement-acquire-it-cosmetics

• Nine West Peer Women’s Sherpa Cuff Ankle Boots

Kimberly Reed was the first woman to serve as Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM)—the nation’s official $135 billion export credit agency—where she worked to help companies succeed in the competitive global marketplace.

Throughout her 25-year career—which includes a decade of experience with the food and agriculture industries, and serving as Senior Advisor to U.S. Treasury Secretaries Henry Paulson and John Snow— Ms. Reed has generated results across fiercely competitive business and regulatory environments. She has served as a collaborative leader and trusted adviser, with extensive international, government, nonprofit, political (bipartisan), and corporate experience navigating complex issues; engaged with world leaders and global influencers; addressed environmental, social, and governance ESG) and activist stakeholder issues; transformed organizations, built successful teams, and substantially improved workplace culture; oversaw crisis communications and issues management strategies; and conducted oversight and investigations for the U.S. Congress.

Recognized as one of the “100 Women Leaders in STEM” and Washingtonian’s “Most Powerful Women in Washington,” Ms. Reed previously served on the Boards of the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, National Coalition for Food and Agriculture Research, Tax Coalition, and West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Ms. Reed earned her JD from West Virginia University College of Law and BS in biology and government from West Virginia Wesleyan College.