With more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy, Kristen leads the 10-member Gift Planning team at Duke University, working with donors across the University who want to maximize their philanthropic impact through tax-advantaged giving vehicles. As a former tax attorney, Kristen brings a unique skill set to her team and her donors. With deep knowledge of giving techniques that involve tax, retirement, and estate planning, as well as strategies involving real estate and business interests, she can translate often complex concepts so that donors can easily see how they can increase their giving and the impact they want to make now and in the future.
After practicing law, Kristen shifted to philanthropy, first joining the Triangle Community Foundation, working with individuals and companies to create donor-advised funds, and then the Duke University Gift Planning team as a frontline fundraiser. She then led a state-wide Philanthropy team as Chief Development Officer at Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, and has recently rejoined Duke to lead the Gift Planning team.
Kristen holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Washington, a JD Magna cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law, and a LL.M in Tax with honors from Georgetown University Law Center. Kristen’s civic and philanthropic leadership includes a current board position with SAFEChild NC, past board positions with Durham Nativity and InterAct of Wake County, and past council positions with the North Carolina Bar Association’s Tax section and North Carolina Planned Giving Council.
When she’s not out trying to save the world or reading geeky tax updates, Kristen loves cheering on her son, Jack, in his many swim meets and traveling the world with her family and friends.