Highland IFBW honors Angela Kim as Boss of the Year
Each October, during Illinois Women in Business Week, Highland Illinois Federation of Business Womens Clubs Inc. honors outstanding working women of the community. This year Highland IFBW honors Angela Kim, director of Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library, as Boss of the Year.
Kim was presented her award at the organization’s Annual Award and Recognition Night held at Popeye’s Chophouse Oct. 14. Kim was nominated by Donna Plocher, an employee of Louis Latzer Memorial Public Library and Highland IFBW member. Nominations are made and judged based on pre-determined criteria.
Prior to announcing the award, Amy Kloss, Highland IFBW President, stated that “As women helping women, we believe in recognizing outstanding local businesswomen for their achievements, their support of employees, for their support of our mission, and for their community leadership.”
Below is the nomination as submitted by Plocher:
BOSS OF THE YEAR AWARD — Angela Kim
In an administration course that I once took, a professor by the name of John Borsa said the most insightful quote of all time, “To lead the pack, one must ride with them and never ahead of them.” John Borsa was an avid bicyclist. Upon his passing, his wife mailed every one of his students a laminated bookmark with a pack of cyclists with that quote beneath it. Each day as I read, I have seen that quote for nearly fifteen years. Angela Kim lives by John Borsa’s words always, and that is why I feel she is an incredible candidate for Boss of the Year.
Angela has multiple strengths as a leader each day with all her employees. One of those strengths is her willingness to allow her employees to think and make decisions in their area of expertise. Certainly, she is aware of those decisions, but she has the trust and respect of all employees because she values each of us.
Secondly, Angela exhibits flexibility to meet the needs of her employees and patrons, using common sense as a guide. Of course, as the director of Latzer Library, basic guidelines must be adhered to within reason, yet Angela recognizes us as people, and so much more than a city employee number. Lastly, Angela stays one step ahead with situations and tasks that arise in the library, meaning that she is a true visionary for the path the library needs to follow in our age of high tech-minded individuals.
Angela Kim supports the IFBW organization in ways that sometimes may go unnoticed. For example, the last several years she has granted permission for us to host the IFBW Speak-off at the Latzer Auditorium on a spring Sunday afternoon. To my knowledge, that is the only Sunday event that is hosted at Latzer ever. Last Christmas Angela willingly opened her lovely home for the Holiday Home Tour that she decorated on her own as her husband’s work schedule is quite demanding as is her own. Each room was unique and beautiful as all our members will recall.
Angela has a very positive attitude towards her employees. She helps and supports her employees outside of her regular duties. Angela is very approachable to speak with when a significant issue arises, and she seeks to find a fair, reasonable solution.
Angela has encouraged and assisted one of her female employees for further advancement by inspiring and creating options for this young lady. Angela helped secure an additional library position in the school community and supported her decision to take additional library classes online to further her knowledge in the field as other choices become open for her.
Another example of professional growth is the fact that I, as an older employee, was given the opportunity to attend an Author’s Breakfast in Chicago to learn about new books for kids that were coming out and to hear the stories of the authors. Angela could have easily said that I was needed to work that day, but she saw the true value of the opportunity and helped seize the potential option for the good of the children.
Outstanding achievements in her career have been many; one of those includes one of our own IFBW Woman of the Year awards just a very short time ago.
Angela has reached out to the youth in several different ways. She has begun a volunteer tutoring outreach through a grant she wrote to provide books and materials for the students participating. The focus is the Middle School students who are in the process of forming a graphic novel book club. However, other book clubs have been established for children ages 0-middle school age. Angela has arranged for volunteer reading assistance with one-to-one tutoring for struggling readers.
Additionally, Angela works with the city of Highland to provide community service hours for students in need of some experiences to fulfill their own misgivings of the world in general. Lastly, Angela annually secures funding for extensive summer programs for the youth in our community and neighboring villages.
Kim is an avid volunteer in the city of Highland. She participates in the Rotary, the Hard Road Theater group, the parents of Madrigals at Highland High School (even now after her daughter has graduated), interconnections with the Highland Arts Council, and actively attends every City Council meeting. (Last month she arranged for Latzer to have access to the Highland Square for our Disc Golf event.)
Leadership effort in local organizations is extensive. In each of the previously mentioned groups, Angela has served as the President in most and is an avid participant in all groups, sharing her vision and ideas to make the community a better place for the residents of Highland. For example, she is extending the needed Little Book Houses all over the community through Rotary support.
In conclusion, it is my honor to nominate Angela Kim, director of Latzer Library, as the IFBW Boss of the Year. She is dedicated to Latzer Library and this community in very significant ways to share her vision and her wisdom. Angela rides with the pack ... every single day!
This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 12:00 PM.