Faculty Focus - Kim McGinnis
Kim grew up in Miami, Florida and San Diego, California. Her career started at the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, where she represented American businesses operating in China. She went on to work in emerging markets asset management at HSBC, then moved to General Electric, where she led GE Capital’s global public affairs function.
- Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Vanderbilt University
- Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs
- MBA from the University of California Berkeley’s Haas School of Business
What brought you to Alaska?
While completing my MBA, I went on a spring break cross-country skiing trip in Alaska’s White Mountains. I fell in love with the area and all the great things you can do outdoors. I also fell in love with a very special Alaskan guy, Sam Alexander, who runs his own adventure travel company when not teaching. Sam didn’t have to do much convincing to get me to move.
What do you enjoy about Alaska?
Two things strike me most about Alaska - first, this state offers boundless opportunities for someone with an entrepreneurial mindset. Second, the sky is amazing! The Lower 48 doesn’t get brilliant sunrises and Northern Lights like we get here.
You have a good amount of professional experience in finance, leadership and marketing.
How does that translate into the classroom?
I relate examples from my own work experience. One of the first lectures I gave was on mergers and acquisitions. Having gone through a number of acquisitions and divestures at GE, I can share a practioner’s perspective to complement the academic view. I’m connecting with my former colleagues and professional contacts to come to Fairbanks so students can hear their perspectives, as well.
Which previous research / project are you most proud of?
While at GE, I launched a marketing campaign that was so successful in the U.S., I got to oversee its implementation in six additional countries. The success was nice, of course, but it was also a great opportunity to work with colleagues across the globe.
What advice do you have for current students?
Stay curious and approach your career - and your life - with an open mind. As a corollary to that - if you get the opportunity to travel, do it.
What would you like to tell us about your family?
Sam and I live in a dry cabin. I’m hoping to add a puppy to our family soon. And maybe running water some day!
Snapshot
- Next TV binge watch in queue? Archer and House of Cards are my two guilty pleasures.
- Book you are currently reading? I am re-reading "The Great Game" by Peter Hopkirk. It is a non-fiction account of the 19th century British-Russian rivalry in the Central Asia. It is just as exciting and full of intrigue as any work of fiction.
- Your last music download? The latest addition to my Spotify playlist was “Hotline Bling” by Drake.
- If I granted you one wish to change the world what would it be? I’d wish for every single person to live in a culture other than his or her own for a while. I think it would go a long way toward breaking down the barriers between us.
