As Chief Executive Officer of Service Year Alliance, Kristen leads a core team of national service experts working to make a service year a common expectation and opportunity. A leader at Service Year Alliance since its founding — most recently as Chief Strategy Officer and interim co-CEO — Kristen brings over 15 years of national service experience, an in-depth understanding of the sector, and first-hand knowledge of what it is like to serve– to her role as the service year movement launches into a new era.

Her vision for a new era of national service prioritizes the experience and outcomes of those who serve and focuses on how to make national service more equitable and accessible for youth of all backgrounds.

Kristen previously led the development of ServiceYear.org at Service Year Alliance and worked as a Program Officer at California Volunteers, California’s state service commission. Her nonprofit, government, and strategy development experience positioned her well to lead Service Year Alliance and the service year movement, with a clear understanding of what the national service field needs to be successful, where the barriers lie, and how we can bring the next generation into national service.

Kristen is also a proud AmeriCorps VISTA alum. As a VISTA, Bennett served on California First Lady Maria Shriver’s WE Connect campaign.

Kristen earned a Bachelor of Science in Planning, Public Policy, and Management from the University of Oregon and a Master of Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Sacramento.