Kimberly Trimmel

Meet Kimberly Trimmel
Leadership Trainer | Speaker | Coach | Encourager of People

When you're looking for someone who can inspire, engage and motivate a room, spark real growth, and leave people feeling inspired and equipped—Kimberly is your person.

She didn’t stumble into the world of leadership, training, and speaking—it’s a path she earned through grit, grace, and a whole lot of life experience. From early setbacks to professional redirections, Kimberly has turned each challenge into a stepping stone, building a career around helping others grow through what they go through.

With over 30 years of experience, Kimberly brings deep wisdom from various experiences such as ranging from banking to real estate to leadership training. She has served as time as the Director of Professional Standards for a major trade association, and now as the CEO and Founder of Trimmel Consulting & Coaching, LLC. Her sweet spot? Helping leaders and teams grow stronger—especially during times of change or challenge.

Kimberly’s story is as inspiring as it is relatable. She graduated Valedictorian of her high school class, was the first in her family to attend college. Little known fact, Kimberly attended a college that had a work study program and she chose a campus job in construction—unheard of for women at the time, she did electrical work, masonry and was part of the crew that built the school's pool. At the time, there were few, if any, women construction workers. That bold move laid the foundation for a lifetime of doing what others said couldn’t be done.

From a young age, Kimberly had an interest in real estate. In order to get in banking she started out as a collector in a bank and working her way up to loan processor, loan originator and then went on to manage the mortgage company. This experience allowed her to accept a position in a large mortgage company in her role of resolving high-stakes customer concerns at a major financial institution.

Kimberly has always found her way to the heart of people-centered problem-solving. Eventually, that passion led her to teaching and training, where she discovered her true calling: helping others lead with clarity, courage, and confidence.

Whether she’s training REALTORS® on ethics and fair housing, coaching emerging or transitioning leaders, or inspiring teams through keynotes and workshops, Kimberly delivers powerful messages packed with practical takeaways. Her sessions are down-to-earth, relatable, and rooted in real-life leadership—served in bite-sized, digestible pieces that stick.

She’s trained teams from local police departments, to local churches and fire departments, and has had the honor of delivering a John Maxwell Leadership training session on the importance of focus and attitude. Her energy is contagious. Her message is one of hope, resilience, and forward motion.

Kimberly is also a Maxwell Certified DISC Behavioral Consultant, having earned the highest level of certification in this program. In 2010 Kimberly earned the REALTOR® Certified Executive designation, among other credentials. In 2025 Kimberly was featured in Who’s Who in America by Marquis and continues to teach both locally and internationally in areas of ethics, diversity, inclusion, leadership, communication, team building and mindset.

Fun Fact, Kimberly was also one of the first female construction workers at her college in their work study program. She was a mason, an electrician and a did general labor, helping to build the schools gym and pool.

Through it all, one thing remains clear: Kimberly’s heart is to build people. Whether it’s a room of 5 or 500, she’s committed to adding value, one leader at a time.

Other Work Experience:

2003-2011 Held the position of the Director of Professional Standards for the Chicago Association of REALTORS®.

2011-2017 Kimberly opened her consulting business, prior to forming her LLC, specializing in training REALTORS® in the areas of Ethics and various Continuing Education classes, as well as authored Continuing Education coursework. She also holds an Illinois Pre License Instructors license.

Kimberly is skilled in adult education for ages 18 to 80, bringing energy, clarity, and connection to every room—ensuring every learner feels engaged, valued, and inspired.

Awards & Distinctions

2010 Earned the REALTOR® Certified Executive Designation

Kimberly delivers REALTOR® Education in Courses: At Home with Diversity ~ AHWD®, Home Finance Resource ~ HFR, Pricing Strategy Advisor ~ PSA, Bias Override, Overcoming Barriers to Fair Housing, Understanding Ethics Diversity Inclusion and You

2025 Honored Listee in Marquis Who’s Who in America 2025