Kirsten is the Senior Director of the Digital Service Network (DSN). 

Kirsten also serves as an elected school board member for the West Linn-Wilsonville, Oregon School District. She is on the editorial board for the State & Local Government Review (SLJR) academic journal and serves on the Board of Directors for Politisit, a national nonprofit providing child care cost reimbursement so parents can get involved in government. Previously, Kirsten founded and served as the executive director of ELGL, the Engaging Local Government Leaders network for people who work for and with towns, cities, counties, and special districts. She also created and hosted the GovLove podcast. She has worked in state and local government in Oregon, Virginia, North Carolina, and Washington. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Politics from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon; and a Master of Public Administration Degree from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.