Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Image by Levi Sanford, courtesy of Kim Ennis
Dr. Kimberly Ennis, founder and CEO of KME Consulting Group LLC, has been named one of Women We Admire‘s Top 50 Women Leaders of Alabama for 2024.
Women We Admire is a distinguished membership organization recognizing and celebrating accomplished women leaders across North America. Its mission is to foster a close-knit community of women executives who share their insights, inspire others, and contribute to a growing repository of leadership expertise.
This honor celebrates Ennis’s impactful career in education, leadership, and community development and her ongoing commitment to fostering growth and excellence in others.
The recognition came as a pleasant surprise for Ennis, who was contacted by Women We Admire in October.
“Their email stated that they had evaluated my professional background and career track,” Ennis explains. “After learning more about the organization’s mission, I was eager to accept the nomination and join their network of accomplished women leaders.”
With over 35 years of experience in higher education, Ennis has distinguished herself as a transformative leader. Her career at Bevill State Community College included roles as executive vice president, dean of students, and ultimately, college president until her retirement in 2020. During this time, she was mentored by leaders who helped shape her approach to leadership.
“Even when leadership wasn’t at the forefront of my mind, I was being shaped by some of the greatest,” she says, citing influences such as Jack Mott, Foster Watkins, and Devin Stephenson, who all contributed to her strong work ethic, helped identify leadership training opportunities, and instilled the importance of pursuing excellence in every endeavor.
Beyond her administrative achievements, Ennis has leveraged her expertise in educational leadership to inspire and equip others. She frequently speaks at conferences and events, addressing audiences ranging from K-12 educators to higher education professionals across Alabama and Florida. Her presentation portfolio includes the Alabama Community College System Diversity Conference and the Alabama Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.
A central focus of her work is understanding how differences in personality traits, communication styles, and generational perspectives impact workplace dynamics.
“We all have to treat people in a way that brings out the very best in them,” Ennis explains. “If older generations don’t embrace how to reach new generations, we’re going to miss the mark.”
Since 2000, Dr. Ennis has served as a facilitator for the Leadership Walker County (LWC) Program, influencing more than 500 emerging leaders in the Northwest Alabama region. Her work with LWC complements her broader mission at KME Consulting Group LLC, where she continues to provide tailored guidance and solutions for organizations seeking to foster leadership and diversity.
Through her career, mentorship, and ongoing consulting work, Ennis strives to ensure that others feel supported and empowered to achieve their goals.
“I have a story, and we all have a story, and I hope that the story I’ve shared throughout my life has inspired other people to recognize that it doesn’t matter where we start from; we all have an opportunity to succeed,” she says. “I hope that I have helped someone along the way to reach their goal and to become the best they could be. Because so many have done that for me.” WL
