Lisa Kim
City Manager
Lisa was appointed Garden Grove City Manager on March 1, 2023, becoming the first female, Asian-American to lead City operations. She joined the City of Garden Grove in April 2016 as the Community and Economic Development Director, bringing more than 20 years of development experience from the cities of Orange, Pomona, and West Covina.
Since 2019, Lisa carried out dual roles as assistant city manager while overseeing one of the most crucial departments in the City comprised of the Office of Economic Development, Planning Services, and the Building and Safety Division.
In addition to attracting several key developments and new businesses to the city, Lisa also developed the 2021 Comprehensive Plan to Address Homelessness that included the launch of the Be Well OC in Garden Grove Mobile Response Team, a street medicine initiative currently in the works with CalOptima, and the creation of the future Central Cities Navigation Center. During COVID-19, Kim implemented the Garden Grove Business Resource and Resiliency Plan to help business owners achieve financial recovery. She also initiated community engagement efforts for the proposed relocation of the Garden Grove Police Department headquarters in the Garden Grove Civic Center.
Lisa holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts Global, a member of the Chapman University System; and a Bachelor of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.
She maintains strong involvement in professional and service organizations, including the American Planning Association – Orange County Chapter; Commercial Real Estate Women of Orange County; Planning Directors Association of Orange County; International Council of Shopping Centers; Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Orange County; Vietnamese American Chamber of Commerce; Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance; and United Way.
In her spare time, Lisa enjoys being involved in philanthropic organizations committed to community services, leadership development, and cultural experiences together with her son and daughter as well as volunteering her time to community-based organizations.