A Heartfelt Tribute to Mrs. Elizabeth Kay-Im

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In this heartfelt tribute written by Dr. Yutao He, Co-founder and President of the LEAP Career Development Forum, 2012 President of CESASC (Chinese-American Engineers and Scientists Association of Southern California), we honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Elizabeth Kay-Im, who peacefully departed on April 3, 2024. Her remarkable 34-year career at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) was defined by her exceptional leadership, integrity, and dedication, making her a trailblazer and role model for many. Mrs. Kay-Im was also a devoted LEAP mentor and a strong supporter since its inception. This article reflects on the profound impact Mrs. Kay-Im left on her colleagues, friends, and the broader community, celebrating a life lived with grace, empathy, and an enduring spirit of support and mentorship.

In the vast expanse of the cosmos, where stars whisper their timeless tales, there exists a constellation of memories, each a radiant homage to a brilliant mind whose luminance graced our earthly journey.

Elizabeth Kay-Im, fondly known as Liz, peacefully departed this world on April 3, 2024. Her passing left a void that echoed through my heart. She was not only my long-time colleague at JPL but also a role model, a wise mentor, a cherished friend, and a beacon of support in both my professional and personal realms. Our paths crossed two decades ago, shortly after I joined JPL, forging a lasting bond that extended into the areas of volunteerism, friendship, and shared aspirations.

Liz's 34-year tenure at JPL was nothing short of stellar. Starting as a fresh graduate from college, she climbed up the professional ladder with remarkable pace, progressing from Group Supervisor and Section Manager to ultimately helming JPL's largest division as Manager. Leading over 1100 talented individuals, she blazed a trail as the highest-ranked Chinese American female in JPL’s history, shattering the bamboo ceiling with grace, determination, and wisdom. 

Liz's outstanding leadership, coupled with her magnetic charisma, amazing elegancy, warmth, empathy, and unwavering integrity, left an eternal legacy on the fabric of NASA/JPL's space exploration endeavors, inspiring all fortunate enough to cross her path, and earned her the admiration and respect from the broad JPL community. 

One of my gracious personal accounts at JPL recalls that Liz served as the Strategic Initiative Lead and oversaw a 3-year R&TD project that I led as the Principal Investigator. Her invaluable advice during the entire project span was instrumental in helping me navigate complex challenges of leadership and shape the project's triumphant trajectory.

Liz with LEAP as one of the 4 executive panelists at LEAP 3.0 at USC.

Beyond her exceptional professional achievements, Liz epitomized a spirit to make the world a better place and was deeply committed to serving the community through volunteering and non-profit organizations. As a pivotal figure at CESASC, she served as the 1996 President and the 1998 Board Chairwoman, making an unfading mark on the organization and its members. Her contributions continued even after her retirement from the CESASC Board, as she remained a steadfast supporter of causes close to her heart. 

Additionally, she served as the JPL AAC (Asian American Council) Chair, showcasing her dedication to fostering diversity and inclusion in the workplace. She became a lifetime advisor after she stepped down, regularly offering mentorship and monetary support on demand.

Liz with LEAP as one of the 4 executive panelists at LEAP 3.0 at USC.

In the corridors of friendship, Liz was a treasure beyond measure. Her laughter echoed in our shared moments, her kindness a soothing balm in times of trial, and her wisdom a guiding light through life’s complexities. 

It was her encouragement that motivated me to step up to assume leading roles of the CESASC President in 2012 and the CESASC Board Chairman in 2013, as well as JPL AAC Chair for five years. Her belief in my capabilities and her mentorship throughout my tenure paved the way for my transformative leadership experiences, and her sustained support were a blessing: 

• Out of her hectic schedules she served as an executive panelist at 2014 Annual Conference of LEAP Career Development Forum at my invitation;

• She helped me organize a 2016 IEEE conference with her impressive organizational prowess and incredible resourcefulness;  

• She was affectionately known as "Aunt Liz" to my elder daughter Angela since her first grade at Valentine Elementary School in San Marino, where her daughter Alexandra also attended. Liz always inquired about Angela and shared with me the joys and challenges of parenting during our conversations, a habit that persisted as both embarked on their Ph.D. programs.
  

Liz's deep devotion extended to her family, embodying love, support, and responsibility as a loving wife and a caring mother. The personal anecdotes she shared with us, from orchestrating single-handedly her wedding ceremony with Dr. Eastwood Im (the 1994 CESASC President) to tackling Eastwood’s medical emergency during his business trip in Alaska, illustrated her resilience and compassion, portraying her as a pillar of strength for her family.

Liz’s thoughtfulness radiated in every aspect of her life. One of my fondest memories is to receive a custom-designed Christmas postcard containing the Im family picture via surface mail during every Christmas season - a heartwarming tradition that reflected her deep love for those in her life.

The last conversation we had was in December 2023, when she emailed me to commend my tribute to Dr. Wei Kao’s (the 1988 and 2004 CESASC President) passing. I replied to wish her best and express my hope to meet with her soon. 

Regrettably, tears streamed down my face when I received the news of her passing, and even more tears welled up as I read her essay “If This Is It” shared by Eastwood: What beautiful words from a beautiful mind! It's a testament to her gratitude and the profound love she has for those in her life. 

It reminded me of poignant lines from the Sci-Fi film, “Passengers”, which is about what has happened when a starship Avalon is traveling to a colony planet 120 light years away from Earth, resonating with our shared journey: “You can’t get so hung up on where you’d rather be that you forget to make the most of where you are. We got lost along the way. But we found each other, and we made a life, a beautiful life, together.”

Liz with Dr. Yutao He at LEAP 3.0 in 2014.

I am deeply honored and fortunate to have trekked alongside Liz as a fellow passenger for two decades. Looking back, we are all reminded of the immense beauty she brought into the world - a beauty that was woven not only through her remarkable accomplishments but also through the countless hearts she touched. Liz continues to be a comforting angel and a guiding star for us all, shining prominently through “the Liz wavelength”.

Rest in peace, dear Liz. Your light illuminates the vast cosmos of our collective memories, forever!

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