About Kristen
I bring over 30 years of leadership and facilitation experience across various sectors, including business, education, workforce, healthcare, and community. Over the years, I have partnered with middle and high schools, community colleges, adult education programs, healthcare providers, workforce development organizations, and corporate teams to drive collaboration, spark innovation, and create meaningful impact.
Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand what sets thriving teams apart from those that struggle—often the difference lies in effective communication, conflict resolution, and leadership grounded in collaboration and mindfulness. Drawing on my professional accomplishments, lessons learned, and personal growth, I am passionate about helping teams strengthen their skills, lead with intention, navigate challenges, and create lasting synergy.
I began my career as an adventure learning specialist at an intercultural community leadership center in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I designed and facilitated multicultural, adventure-based leadership and team-building experiences to strengthen trust, communication, and collaboration among diverse community and business groups. Trained in facilitation and strategic planning, I went on to work as a corporate team-building facilitator for companies such as Honda, Microsoft, and the San Miguel Corporation.
For more than two decades at Santa Fe Community College, I managed and directed programs focused on college and career readiness for underrepresented students at both the secondary and postsecondary levels. Drawing on my expertise in collaborative leadership, communication, and group facilitation, I developed strong partnerships with leaders, administrators, and educators across public schools, community colleges, workforce agencies, and adult education systems. These collaborations led to lasting statewide institutional changes—expanding access to programs such as Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) in New Mexico’s public schools and Integrated Education and Training (IET) programs across the state’s community colleges.
As program director for a U.S. Department of Labor Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant, I led a statewide healthcare workforce initiative, building partnerships with community colleges, the workforce system, adult education programs, and healthcare providers to drive systemic change. Under my leadership, the SUN PATH team earned national recognition from SkillsCommons for innovative workforce collaboration and received the “Outstanding Team” award in 2018.
Over a decade ago, I turned to meditation and mindfulness during a time of profound personal change. What began as a way to manage stress and anxiety evolved into a deeply transformative practice. Since then, I have completed multiple extended meditation retreats and am pursuing certification as a Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator through Mindful Leader, a leading provider of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and workplace mindfulness training.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology from the University of Oregon and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of New Mexico.
“Now more than ever, educational systems and organizations need leaders and teams who can work with intention, clarity, and connection. My work is dedicated to making that vision a reality.”