Elizabeth (Betsy) Kim is Director of Strategic Research Advancement in the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation at the University of Hawaii. She works closely with the Vice President for Research and Innovation to identify and establish new strategic opportunities and partnerships with federal and state agencies, to better leverage UH’s research programs and capabilities. Previously she served as Special Advisor to Governor David Y. Ige, where she provided strategic counsel to the Governor, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Chief of Staff on matters related to federal policies, programs, and funding.

Ms. Kim has over 20 years of experience in senior management, state and federal policy implementation, and intergovernmental affairs. Prior to returning to her home state of Hawaii, Ms. Kim lived and worked in Washington, DC, where she served as a political appointee in the Obama Administration for six years, most recently as Director of the Office of the Executive Secretariat at the U.S. Department of Labor. She has held other senior policy/management positions, serving as Administrator of the Business and Professional Licensing Administration at the District of Columbia’s Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, and as Counselor to the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Clinton Administration. Prior to her service in the public sector, Ms. Kim practiced bankruptcy law at firms in Washington, DC and Phoenix, AZ. She holds a J.D. from the University of Arizona College of Law and a B.A. from Pomona College.