By Terri Guest, CIRMS, CMCA
CAI Bay Area & Central California Chapter, President-Elect
“I’ve heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason, bringing something we must learn and we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them and we help them in return. Well, I don’t know if I believe that’s true, but I know I’m who I am today because I knew you.” (Lyrics from “For Good” from Wicked)
It’s fitting that I am using lyrics from a Broadway musical to begin a tribute to someone who literally danced and sang her way through the HOA industry for the last twenty-plus years.
If you have ever been in a meeting with Kimberly Lilley (in-person or virtual), you know it is not uncommon for her to burst into song. Her musical theater background (including being in several casts for Broadway touring shows) was something she used to her benefit in the industry. The woman knows how to captivate an audience.
As some of you know, she has taken her final bow after serving on the CAI California Legislative Action Committee (CAI-CLAC) for decades, and she has left the stage with some very large shoes to fill. I reached out to several people in the industry asking for their thoughts on her years of service, and the reviews are stellar:
“I remember learning from Kimberly when she gave a CAI-CLAC presentation for my chapter while I was serving on the board in the early 2000s, and even then, I knew she was a true force in our industry. Her passion and persistence are unmatched, and she has been a dedicated champion for CAI-CLAC for so many years. I’m excited to see what she accomplishes in her next adventure, and I’m confident that success will follow her wherever she goes!”
– Stacie Donnelly, PCAM, CCAM
“Kimberly Lilley has been an integral part of the community association industry for many years, and the industry is incalculably better because of her involvement and Herculean efforts, most of which she did without public knowledge or fanfare. Beyond advocacy, her focus on educating and elevating others leaves a legacy that I hope others will be inspired by and emulate. She is simply one of a kind and will be missed immensely.”
– Brian Kalmenson, CIRMS
“Kimberly for me was a beacon. Someone that I was drawn to immediately. I met her during COVID – a difficult time for all of us especially when navigating Zoom and different technologies. Somehow, she knew everything about it, and I jumped at the chance to be trained by her. She made my job so much easier. She was always smiling – even in challenging situations she could always bring joy to it. I really appreciate Kimberly. She has done so much for our industry, and she’s done so much for me personally.”
– Kristin Amarillas, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
“Kimberly is a powerhouse. The energy, passion, and sensitivity that she brought to the community association world, both in front of and behind the scenes, made all of us look good and will leave some unfillable shoes. We sometimes talk about “servant leadership” in our industry – for me, that expression will always conjure Kimberly.”
– AJ Scott, CPCU, CIRMS
“Kimberly didn’t just “work” in this industry. She showed up exceptionally prepared, articulate, and ready to work. She cared. Deeply. Her countless volunteer hours, her willingness to step up, her energy, her insistence on getting things right – none of it was only about networking or resume-building. It was about the people who live in the communities we work with. She advocated for them with sincerity, conviction, and heart.”
– Natalie Stewart
“Kimberly has been a driving force behind CAI-CLAC, most notably in advancing insurance-specific public policy solutions at a time of unprecedented challenge for community associations across the state. From fundraising leadership to grassroots engagement, she understood that successful advocacy requires a significant amount of effort. Her enthusiasm was contagious with other volunteers and helped ensure that CAI-California remained a credible, influential presence and voice in Sacramento.
Kimberly’s dedication, professionalism, and tireless advocacy have left a lasting impact on CAI-California and the communities we serve. She will be missed, but her contributions will continue to shape our work into the future.” – Dawn M. Bauman, CAE, CEO Community Associations Institute
For me, I was lucky enough to work at the same agency as Kimberly for over a decade. I cannot begin to list the numerous skills I learned from her. As evidenced by the quotes above, she is an exceptional advocate for the industry. But she is also a savvy marketing professional and creative genius. While her firecracker personality made her unafraid to call people out when necessary, she was also adept at bringing out the best in people when they didn’t recognize it themselves.
Kimberly’s contributions to CAI-CLAC over the years have been immeasurable and too numerous to count. She has given of herself, her passion, knowledge, talents and skills in so many different ways and in various leadership positions for CAI-CLAC, and through her work for individual CAI chapters in California.
As the lights dim on her curtain call and her standing ovation quiets, I think many of us can say to Kimberly Lilley:
“Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”