Burlington Standard

Burlington, VT – Mayor Miro Weinberger today announced the appointment of Kimberly Carson as the City’s new Director of Racial Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Kim most recently served as the Director of Education and Human Capital Development for the Iowa Judicial Branch Leading Judicial Education and Professional Development for nearly two thousand judicial branch employees and providing strategic leadership for diversity and equity initiatives across the agency.

“Since creating this position within the Administration in the fall of 2019, the REIB Department has gone through tremendous growth and taken on numerous critical initiatives to advance equity within our local government and throughout the Burlington community,” said Mayor Miro Weinberger. “Kim’s appointment to this critical role on our leadership team comes after a nationwide search. Kim comes to us with extensive experience in government and has the right skills, energy, and vision to take the REIB Department forward and to continue the urgent work of ending racial disparities and fostering a sense of belonging in Burlington for all.” 

“The opportunity to call Burlington home and to continue the critical work entrusted to the REIB Department is a great honor and responsibility that I do not take lightly," said Carson. To build upon the previous efforts of the community, and leadership, with the ongoing support of the Mayor and the City Council, together we will continue our efforts to be at the forefront of equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts in Burlington and beyond through strategic leadership focused on measurable and sustained outcomes. I look forward to listening and learning from my new neighbors and friends and making Burlington our new home.”

Carson’s Background

Kim has served in multiple roles in the Iowa Judicial Branch, starting as a Juvenile Court Officer and ultimately serving as the Director of Education of Human and Capital Development. She brings extensive experience to the role in training, social justice advocacy, and organizational cultural change. She holds a Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies from Louisiana State University, and is pursuing a Masters in Organizational Leadership and Learning from George Washington University.

Prior to 2007, Kim worked as a collegiate track and field coach in Iowa and for USA Track and Field. Kim has been inducted into the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame and competed at the 1996 US Olympic trials.

Kim plans to relocate with her family to Burlington in December.

Search Process and Next Steps

The national search for a REIB Director was led by Kerin Durfee. The Search Committee reviewed applications from many qualified candidates from across the country and advanced three finalists to the Mayor for consideration. The committee included:

• Kerin Durfee, HR Director
• Vanessa Santos Eugenio, Human Resources, Talent, Development & Diversity Manager
• Ali Dieng, Ward 7 City Councilor
• Kara Alnasrawi, Director of Business Support and Workforce Development
• Thea Heck, REIB Digital Content Manager
• Mohamad Jafar, REIB Racial Equity Trainer
• Jabulani Gamache, Police Commissioner
• Patrick Brown, Director of the Greater Burlington Multicultural Resource Center
• Marlon Fisher, Community Member
• Luis Calderin, Community Member

 The Mayor will bring forward the appointment for approval by the City Council at their regular meeting on Monday, November 7. If confirmed, Kim will begin work on November 8.

Press Release Date: 11/04/2022

City Department: Mayor's Office

Original source can be found here.