Kirsten moved to Lake Forest as a high school freshman and returned in 1992 with her husband to raise their family. She has served on the Lake Forest Caucus, the Lake Forest Soccer Association Board, the Deerpath School APT Board, the District 115 Education Committee, and the Lake Forest High School Booster Club Board, and currently serves on the Harbor Vista Eames Farm Board.

Kirsten is an occupational therapist with more than 40 years of experience in healthcare, special education, and educational leadership. Her career includes clinical and leadership roles at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, now Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and work with schools and families across Lake County and the Chicago area. Most recently, as Director of Assistive Technology for Redwood Schools, she led initiatives in educational and assistive technology, artificial intelligence, research, and program evaluation, work that has grounded her in collaborative problem-solving and evidence-based decision-making.

Kirsten holds a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from the University of New Hampshire, an M.S. in Rehabilitation Services Administration from DePaul University, and a post-professional Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She enjoys reading, drawing, traveling, and time with family and friends.