Kristen’s lifelong commitment to advocating for and empowering underserved communities of all stripes has seen her work with communities including US Veterans, families living under the poverty line, at-risk youth, and HIV+ communities in Africa.  She has managed budgets from modest in size to over 18 million dollars, and staff sizes from under a dozen to over 300.  She is currently serving as Executive Director of the Friends of Ruwenzori Foundation, a non-profit acting as the funding arm for a partner agency advocating for and serving a community affected by HIV in rural Uganda.

Her organizational experience includes managing multiple capital projects, fiscal management and program development, growing boards, and strategic planning.  Her many strengths include staff development and public speaking, and she is committed to ensuring every individual has the opportunity to thrive, whether through education, advocacy, or aid.  She is passionate about helping people understand childhood trauma and is a self-described work in progress toward a platform for racial justice. 

 Under the constant supervision of two exceptionally-friendly dogs , and two strong-willed kittens, Kristen lives in Novato, California with her youngest son, while the oldest, a graduate from U of O, works in San Diego and her middle son is a freshman at UC San Diego.  While not homeschooling her youngest or wrangling one of a number of home improvement projects, Kristen can be found whipping up some baked goods, working on a new podcast or hiking in the warm Northern Californian hills.

Kristen holds both a Bachelor of Science degree and a teaching credential from Wheaton College in Illinois, and a Master of Science from San Diego State University in Marriage and Family Counseling and recently began a Masters in Theology and Social Justice at Northeastern Seminary.