Kristen joined AOPA in 2011, serving in the Communications department and Air Safety Institute prior to joining the You Can Fly team in 2018 as project manager of the High School Curriculum. In 2019, she was promoted to Operations Lead, where she works serves as lead project manager for the department, working closely with outside contractors and internal staff to manage the curriculum development timeline, Symposium planning, and more. She also works with all four You Can Fly initiatives to track metrics, manage contracts, provide regular donor updates and reports, track budgets, and assist with content development. Kristen earned her private pilot certificate in 2012. A self-proclaimed “weather nerd,” she received a bachelor’s degree in Applied Meteorology, a minor in Professional Communication, and an MBA from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Kristen has previously worked for AvMet Applications, Inc. where she supported the FAA’s Aviation Weather Division and weather integration initiatives. Kristen enjoys going to concerts with her husband, taking her two sons to the beach, and playing with her adorable mini goldendoodle.