Kristen Essex

Kristen Essex has a diverse work experience spanning various industries. Kristen started their career in 2000 as an Assistant Director of Communications and Research at PSComm LLC. Kristen then moved on to Mesirow Financial in 2003, working as an Account Executive for almost 9 years. In 2012, they worked at the Flying Fish Restaurant as a Manager, Inventory Specialist, and Bartender for one year. From 2013 to 2015, they worked at Alexandria Times Newspaper as the Publisher and Director of Sales & Marketing.

Currently, Kristen is working at the Organization for Autism Research (OAR) since 2015. Kristen has held different roles within the organization, including Business Manager from 2015 to 2018, Deputy Executive Director from 2018 to 2022, and currently serves as the Executive Director. As the Executive Director, Kristen is responsible for leading the nonprofit organization with a $2 million budget. Their primary responsibilities involve working with stakeholders to fulfill OAR's mission through fundraising, community outreach, and resource development. Their tenure in this role started in December 2022 and continues to the present.

Kristen Essex obtained a Master of Nonprofit Management degree from Anderson College of Business and Computing – Regis University, which they attended from 2017 to 2019. Prior to that, they earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business/Economics with an International Emphasis from Randolph-Macon College, where they studied from 1998 to 2002. Kristen's earlier education includes attending the Academy of the Holy Cross from 1994 to 1998, although no specific degree or field of study is mentioned. In addition to their academic qualifications, they also received a certification as a Certified Autism Specialist from the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) in February 2023.