Coffee Chat with Vets@: Meet Leo Kim, Sr. Technical Program Manager

In “Coffee Chat with Vets@,” you’ll meet global leads and members of our Vets@ Pinterest Pinclusion Group, or employee resource group, focused on veterans and allies. Today, Sr. Technical Program Manager, Leo Kim joins Life at Pinterest to share how he landed a role at Pinterest, what he hopes to accomplish as a returning Vets@ Lead, and more. 

Hi Leo, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. Let’s start with sharing what led you to the Pinterest team. 

After my time in the military, I took a step back and decided to go back to school. It was a fantastic opportunity to build on my skills and figure out my next steps. Once I graduated, I transitioned into tech and spent a number of years in the Bay Area and SoCal influencing well-known products, providing support operations, and shoring up the platform support infrastructure.

During my time in tech, Pinterest caught my eye. What really stood out to me about Pinterest was their dedication to creating a positive and inspiring space. For Pinterest, it was not about driving engagement by any means—it's about crafting an experience where people can truly express themselves, whether they’re planning a birthday party or imagining their dream wedding. I also loved how Pinterest was taking active steps to reduce the negativity and toxicity that can creep into online platforms.

So when I heard about an opportunity to join Pinterest, it felt like it was a phenomenal fit. I was excited to become part of a team that's focused on helping users find joy and inspiration in a more positive way.

How have the skills you learned as a veteran helped you in your current role as a Technical Program Manager? 

As a veteran, I've acquired several skills that have contributed to my role as a Technical Program Manager. Firstly, leadership and team management were paramount in the military. For example, in one of my roles in the Air Force, I built and led a 15-person cross-functional team from seven distinct career fields to provide multi-faceted support for 18 construction projects. Experiences like these help to align on goals and execute large-scale programs at Pinterest.

Additionally, adaptability, comfortability with ambiguity, and problem-solving were crucial in the military environment, where quick thinking and resourcefulness are essential. These skills are incredibly beneficial in handling the dynamic challenges of program management, such as identifying and mitigating risks and aligning decisions based on trade-offs.

Project management discipline, priority management, and a detail-oriented mindset were also shaped during my time in service, especially in austere environments like deployments overseas. These skills bolstered my ability to manage complex programs involving numerous stakeholders in a corporate environment, ensuring strategic roadmaps are defined and followed.

This year, you rejoined the Vets@ leadership team; what are you hoping to accomplish in your second time as a Global Lead? Is there anything you learned previously that you’re applying this time around? 

Rejoining the Vets@ leadership team, I'm focused on continuing to build upon all the phenomenal work from the other Global Leads and Executive Sponsors. One of my key goals is to expand initiatives that connect veterans and our allies within the company, such as networking events and speaker events.

From my previous experience as a Global Lead, I've learned the importance of clear communication, setting measurable outcomes, and executing in a time and resource constrained environment. Everyone has their “day” job so finding the balance is particularly top of mind. This time around, I'm applying these learnings through focus on targeted opportunities among a clear roadmap.

What do you want people who don’t work at Pinterest to know about what it’s like to work at Pinterest? Is there anything specific you’d tell other veterans? 

Working at Pinterest is vibrant, innovative, and fast-paced. The culture here supports growth and encourages curiosity, which makes it exciting to tackle new challenges every day. It's a place where diverse perspectives, initiatives, and creative solutions contribute to meaningful impact to our users worldwide.

For veterans specifically, Pinterest is a supportive environment that recognizes the unique skills and experiences we bring. If you're considering joining Pinterest, know that you'll find a place that values your background and enables you to thrive in your civilian career.

Which Pinterest board is currently inspiring you? 

As I’m getting older, my focus and view on fitness has shifted. Here in my ‘dad era’, I have become more interested in functional workouts especially with kettlebells. Lately, I’ve found inspiration on my workout board with calisthenics and kettlebell complexes, which help me figure out how to augment my fitness routine to align with this chapter of my life. I aim to stay strong enough to carry the kids for as long as they want—and be ready to teach them a few tricks once they dive into sports.