Kristen earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology from Salisbury University and Environmental Science from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2010. She later completed a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Management at American Military University in 2015. She began her career as a Project Manager at Maryland Environmental Service, where she led dredged material management projects, wetland delineations, and large-scale environmental investigations. In 2017, Kristen joined the Maryland Port Administration as Senior Program Manager, advancing the innovative reuse and beneficial use of dredged sediments through policy initiatives, demonstration projects, and stakeholder education and engagement. She was later appointed Chief of Strategy & Partnerships at the Port, an Executive Service role in which she managed various components of Maryland’s Dredged Material Management Program and fostered partnerships to support sustainable seaport operations. Transitioning to the private sector in 2022, Kristen served as a Client Solutions Manager at Resource Environmental Solutions, developing opportunities for stream and wetland mitigation, water quality improvements, reforestation, and coastal resiliency while building trusted advisor relationships with clients. Today, Kristen is the Founder and Managing Partner of Alluvia Consulting, LLC, a Certified Woman-Owned Small Business with Cherokee Nation Tribal Certification, proudly rooted in the Chesapeake Bay region. At Alluvia Consulting, Kristen provides strategic development, technical translation, stakeholder engagement, and project management and planning services for public and private sector organizations that specialize in sustainable nature-based projects. By drawing on her 15 years of experience, Kristen leads Alluvia Consulting in delivering fresh perspectives and innovative solutions that create positive impact for clients, communities, and ecosystems alike.