Kristen joined United Way as the Housing Program Manager in March 2025. Prior to joining United Way Kristen worked at Alamance Community College as the Single Stop Coordinator. As part of that role, she served on United Way's Housing Advisory Committee. Kristen has always been passionate about housing and believes that everyone should have a safe, comfortable place to call home. She enjoys working in this capacity on an important issue with significant impacts on individual wellbeing and social determinants of health.
Kristen has an Associate's Degree in Anthropology from Santa Fe College and a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of Florida, both in Gainesville, FL. She has a joint Master's Degree in Anthropology and Women's and Gender Studies from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA. After graduate school, Kristen worked as an Adjunct Professor of Anthropology and Sociology at MassBay Community College and a Visiting Lecturer in Cultural Anthropology at Framingham State University. Based on her background, Kristen enjoys engaging people in discussions about social issues and seeks to help create lasting change that improves people's lives. Her favorite quote is by Medical Anthropologist and Doctor, Paul Farmer: "The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.". This quote guides Kristen's interactions with others as well as her desire for equity for all.
In her spare time Kristen enjoys Pilates and Barre and spending time with her adorable, rambunctious two-year old Jack Russell Terrier, Spencer. She also loves iced coffee, live jazz, and laughing as much as possible.