The Young Alumni Achievement Award is presented to an alumna who has graduated from Central College in the last 15 years and has demonstrated significant professional and personal accomplishments since graduation. Kim Poam Logan ’94 overwhelmingly represents both personal and professional success.
Escaping from war and its atrocities in Cambodia as a young child, Kim and her family fought to stay alive as they fled their homeland, eventually landing in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Learning a new language, culture and way of life, Kim graduated with a double major in English and French from Central, with study abroad experience in France and participation in the French club. She has diplomas from the University of Paris-La Sorbonne and Alliance Francaise in Paris, France, and participated in the honors program for foreigners at the University of Paris-La Sorbonne.
She was a teacher for Sri Lankan Ministry of Education with the Peace Corps following college, director of government and international relations with the Greater Des Moines Partnership, founding president of Iowa Asian Alliance for six years, and worked for Citi North America Community Relations, where she served as state director for Iowa on behalf of four Citi businesses including Citi Cards, Citi Financial, Citi Mortgage and Smith Barney.
Currently the executive director of Metro Arts Alliance of Greater Des Moines, Kim has earned much professional recognition. She was the Central College TRIO honoree, Asia Foundation/Freeman Fellowship for Emerging American Policy Leader, one of 20 leaders in the next 20 years and a 40 Under 40 selection named by the The Des Moines Business Record, in the greater Des Moines Leadership Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce TradeRoots Leadership Program and received the governor’s volunteer award.
She serves on the boards of the United States Selective Service, Des Moines Art Center, State of Iowa Cultural Trust and also previously devoted her time to the Iowa Asian Alliance Foundation board and Governor’s Asian Advisory Council.
Kim and husband Jeff live in Urbandale, Iowa, with their children Lily and Mitchell. And, while we’re honoring Kim as this year’s young alumna achievement award winner, we know this gifted individual will reach out and influence many other people and programs in the future.
