Alumna Kim Nuzum-Lawrence spent most of her professional career in educational public relations but is now partner and co-founder of one of West Virginia’s most respected and award-winning advertising and political consulting firms: Rainmaker, Inc. Formed in 2005, Rainmaker has captured dozens of state and national awards for its creative work in radio, television, print, politics and public affairs. 

Nuzum-Lawrence also serves as the executive director of Energize West Virginia, an organization that promotes the burgeoning natural gas industry and development of the Marcellus Shale in West Virginia.

“I love the fact that I’m working on a second chapter in my professional life,” she said. “My work with Rainmaker has been so gratifying especially since we are a relatively small, new firm but have been able to emerge as the one of the top award-winning advertising/marketing agencies in the state. And the fact that we are considered the state’s premier political consulting firm is another great source of pride.”

Prior to forming her own company, she served as director of communications for the West Virginia Department of Education where she was responsible for the agency’s entire communications effort and was chief speechwriter for the state superintendent of schools and the state board of education.

Nuzum-Lawrence also spent 20 years traversing the country as an emcee for beauty pageants. A former Miss West Virginia-USA, she hosted shows in nearly every state for the Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss Teen All American and Mrs. America pageant systems.

Originally from Wheeling, she has lived in Charleston since 1991 and she and her husband, Alex, are avid golfers and tennis players.