Helping people find fulfillment through purposeful engagement — The Nature Conservancy in Washington

After finishing from the University of Washington in 1992, Kristen ended up being a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a guarantee supervisor at Arthur Andersen, LLP. Years into a business-focused world that motivated long hours, Kristen discovered herself looking for more significance in her work. She took a sabbatical and travelled deep into the forest, totally alone, to practice meditation and quickly for 4 days.

” When I discovered a location, I drew a 10-foot size circle myself,” Kristen explained. “And I beinged in that circle for 4 days with simply 4 gallons of water and a sleeping bag.” She just left the circle as soon as a day to leave a rock on a log as a signal to her bro that she lived.

” It had to do with discovering myself, discovering what drives me, my function, my sense of belonging,” Kristen stated. “I started to absorb my interest on the planet and nature with the truth of being a business resident. It does not need to be either-or.”

Soon after leaving the accounting world, Kristen fulfilled her coach, the late benefactor and pension fund leader George Russell, who was the previous chairman of the Frank Russell Company and owner of the Russell 2000 index. For more than 20 years, she worked for his company the Threshold Group, very first signing up with as the Chief Financial Officer and making her method to President in 2017.

” George motivated me to believe that you might utilize wealth as a force for excellent on the planet,” Kristen stated. He taught her 3 essential lessons that she utilizes in her work today, where a 3rd of her customers are effect financiers:

1. There is “no gray in stability.” Russell taught her to “do whatever as though your actions will wind up on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.”

2. Utilize a “service mindset.” Even ultra-high-net-worth people serve somebody; for instance, on the board of a not-for-profit companies. Kristen states that “if you originate from a service mindset, no matter your wealth, everybody is much better served.”

3. Infuse delight into life and work.

Kristen’s interest in the not-for-profit world and early intro to The Nature Conservancy led her to fulfill Mike Stevens, state director of TNC in Washington, and she ended up being a trustee in 2016. She stepped up to the function of chair from 2020 to 2022 before “passing the torch” to Maud Daudon. Throughout her period, Kristen directed the board through the COVID-19 pandemic, keeping the board engaged through years of virtual-only conferences. She assisted establish TNC in Washington’s equity statement that focuses social justice in preservation efforts.