Kim Villanueva

Kim Villanueva (Villa-new-wave-a) joined the National Organization for Women in 1987 to be part of something larger than herself. For nearly four decades, she has fought on the frontlines of women’s rights, serving as state president of the Illinois chapter of NOW, chairing NOW’s National Elections Committee, and co-founding NOW’s Asian-American Pacific Islander Caucus. She has helped pass historic legislation in Illinois, including ERA ratification, reproductive health protections, and marriage equality. 

In July 2025 she was elected president of NOW by one of the largest margins of victory in the organization’s history. Along with vice president Rose Brunache, Kim is half of NOW’s first all-woman of color leadership team. She is also NOW’s first Asian-American president as well as its first out lesbian CEO.