Kim Simon

Having been at the Institute for 25 years, Kim Simon was involved in developing and scaling the Institute’s impact and reach globally. She directed the development and implementation of key public engagement programs that connect USC Shoah Foundation to its many distinct audiences. Guiding the Institute’s work to serve a variety of constituencies, Simon tied together many layers of service that included global initiatives, media production, and collection of new testimonies, including the Dimensions in Testimony program and the identification of areas of current conflict, from current Antisemitism to contemporary hate-based violence.

She also oversaw the executive office and communications and served as the bridge and key professional partner to the advancement team and to the lay leadership in supporting their engagement with the Institute.

Simon’s efforts aimed to facilitate an increased understanding and growing engagement with testimony and the Visual History Archive for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation survivors and for all who have affinity or connection to the testimonies.

Simon spent the last 25 years working in the field of Holocaust video documentation and education.  In 1994, she joined USC Shoah Foundation to help coordinate the outreach collection of interviews with Holocaust survivors and witnesses around the world.  Simon subsequently established the Institute’s office of global partnerships, creating and developing its international program agenda, and overseeing its work in 17 countries.

As Director of Programs, Simon defined and directed the national and international education agenda while leading global communications and public outreach. When the Institute merged with the University of Southern California, Simon oversaw the development of the USC Shoah Foundation’s new identity and branding.

Prior to her post as Managing Director, Simon served as USC Shoah Foundation’s Interim Executive Director, guiding the development of the Institute’s multiple online platforms for providing access to the testimony to various audiences, including IWitness.

Simon received her BA in history with honors from the Colorado College. In September 2011, Simon was awarded an Alumni Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from her alma mater.

Please read USC Shoah Foundation's tribute to Kim Simon at https://sfi.usc.edu/news/2023/02/34911-passion-and-commitment-kim-simon-...