Kim Vilcapoma Aranda, a proud member of the Huanca people from the Junín Region of Peru, is a passionate coordinator for the Compassionate Leaders Program at the Flourish Foundation. Alongside Noah Koski, Kim works to cultivate emotional intelligence and leadership in youth, infusing their work with the wisdom of their indigenous heritage—a deep respect for community, interconnectedness, and the power of storytelling. These values are at the core of their leadership philosophy today.

Born and raised in Sun Valley, Idaho, Kim grew up embracing their cultural roots while navigating the complexities of modern education. As a high school student, Kim became a compassionate leader, participating in CLP for two years and traveling to Ladakh, India, as part of the program’s international experiences.

After high school, Kim attended Middlebury College, where they pursued a degree in studio art. Although inspired by the vibrant community of teachers and peers, Kim faced moments of doubt, isolation, and witnessed the challenges of mental health struggles among their classmates. This led them to take a gap year, which coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, Kim returned to Sun Valley, where they worked as a coordinator for afterschool programs. In this role, they provided academic support and artistic guidance to students during the disruption of in-person schooling.

Kim also contributed artwork for the Flourish Foundation’s "In the Ring" card game and participated in the Environmental Stewardship Retreats, working on trail restoration projects in collaboration with organizations such as the Sawtooth Society, Idaho Trails Association, and the Nā Ala Hele Trails Association. These efforts included conservation work in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Sawtooth Wilderness, Frank Church Wilderness, and even in Hawaii’s Nā Ala Hele trails.

When Kim returned to college, they intentionally challenged the traditional structures of academia. Rejecting the conventional ownership of art, they focused on collaborative creativity and worked closely with peers and even a seven-year-old apprentice. This experience, where they learned to think outside the box and trust the perspectives of youth, deeply influenced their leadership approach and problem-solving methods.

Today, Kim brings these diverse experiences—spanning cultural heritage, creative collaboration, and community-building—to their work at the Flourish Foundation. They are committed to empowering the next generation of compassionate leaders, believing that leadership is not about control, but about trust, listening, and learning from others, especially from the wisdom of youth.