Kristen's Bio

I’ve been an animal advocate my entire life. As an avid solo traveler and adventure-seeker, I’ve been fortunate to have many incredible wildlife experiences and to volunteer with and for animals on six continents. 

After graduating with Honors from Penn State University with degrees in Biology and Psychology, I went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Primate Conservation from Oxford Brookes University in the UK. I carried out my thesis research in Sri Lanka, focusing on education strategies to help tourists choose responsible wildlife experiences.

Professionally, most of my work has been spent on ending the abuse of animals raised for food. As a fundraising specialist, I’ve worked for both Mercy For Animals and The Humane League – two of the leaders in this space. I’m now the Grants and Operations Director for The Navigation Fund, helping to distribute grants across multiple cause areas, including Farm Animal Welfare. 

I love being outside – hiking, camping, rafting, and exploring in general. After living in Southern California for most of the last 15 years, I’ve recently moved to Nashville and am excited about all the wilderness this part of the country has to offer.