Kristen oversees NACSA’s communications and policy strategy, including the release of major reports and all efforts to inform external stakeholders of the importance of quality authorizing.

She was formerly the Public Affairs Director at the Philadelphia School Partnership, a citywide education reform organization that invests in the creation and expansion of quality schools. She led their communications strategy and worked to empower families with information about school options.

She began her work in education at YouthBuild Philadelphia Charter School, a second chance program for high school dropouts, which taught her that every young person is capable of thriving if given the right educational opportunities to meet their unique needs. She believes all children can have this opportunity if we address the broken systems that have failed far too many families.

She is a graduate of Villanova University and the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government.

She lives in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio (Go Bucks!) with her son Miles and their dog Ping Pong.