Kristen has worked in the communications field for non-profits since moving to Delaware, and has been resourceful in making a difference with a small budget. She has also taken a leadership role as Board Secretary and Executive Committee member of The Next Generation of the Delaware Community Foundation, Northern Delaware.
Age: 38
Director of Development and Communications
Leadership Delaware
Wilmington
Social media you can’t live without: LinkedIn for my professional life (it’s like my virtual Rolodex) and right now, my new favorite is Snapchat for my personal life. It helps me keep in touch with my large (yet very young!), fun family that includes 15 cousins and their spouses.
Your biggest break: Having breakfast at the Hollywood Grill with Fred Sears when I moved to Delaware back in 2010. He helped me figure out how to network and navigate my way into Delaware, ultimately leading me to join and support NextGen North of the Delaware Community Foundation.
Best career advice you ever got: My dad always told me, “Do what you love first; the money will always follow.”
How you give back: I’ve not only contributed to, but also managed several fundraisers for various nonprofits in Philadelphia and Delaware. I’m also an active board member for Healthy Foods for Healthy Kids, I serve as NextGen’s Board Secretary, and I’m a founder for the Fund for Women and member of their Grants Committee.
Your biggest challenge: Saying no.
Networking group you use the most: Right now, it’s my Leadership Delaware network. I’ve met so many amazing people while I was a 2014 fellow that have been incredible contacts and resources for me since I’ve graduated.”¯
Work-life balance technique you recommend: After having my first child, I had to take a hard look at my goals and aspirations, and focus on what was really important to me. I realized that I could have it all, just not all at once, so forgiving myself and letting go of the guilt of not being able to do it all (see: my biggest challenge!) has helped me find that balance.
