Executive Director, Challenger Learning Center of Maine
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Kirsten earned her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech as a Presidential Scholar. She kicked off her engineering career in the General Electric Operations Management Leadership Program for the Security division.
In 2013, Kirsten made a large family change to start working part-time for the Challenger Learning Center of Maine. Kirsten wished to spend more time at home with small babies, but still wanted to be part of the STEM world.
In 2018, Kirsten became the Challenger Maine Executive Director. In this role, she has overseen tremendous growth for the center. Also leading the charge in acquired NASA federal funding as an inaugural community anchor awardee in 2022. Most recently, Challenger Maine is the recipient of a $2.186 million congressional direct spending request for FY24 sponsored by Senators Collins and King.
Kirsten has been a proud member of the Bangor Region professional community and a resident of the town of Levant. Kirsten is an alumna of the Bangor Regional Leadership Institute [BRLI] class of 2020 and now currently serves on the BRLI Steering committee and serves as co-chair of the curriculum committee. She also serves as a warden for the Town of Levant. Kirsten LOVES reading and serves on the Board of Directors for Friends of the Bangor Public Library. She is also very busy as a co-leader for the Levant Girl Scout troop #1519. Finally, Kirsten is so excited to have joined the National Challenger Center board in August 2024 in the Executive Director seat.
