Our Team

Kristen DeSanti is an education and workforce development leader with more than 17 years of experience designing systems, programs, and partnerships that expand access to education and career opportunities. Her work has supported learners of all ages with diverse goals, experiences, and needs, spanning career advising, career and technical education, work-based learning, workforce development, and professional learning. Across her work, Kristen is especially passionate about empowering learners to make informed decisions, navigate complex systems, and succeed, while building the capacity of practitioners and strengthening the systems that support them.

Kristen previously served as Manager of Career Preparedness for DC Public Schools, where she led districtwide initiatives focused on postsecondary planning, career pathways, work-based learning, and partnerships between education and industry. As an independent consultant, she now partners with organizations including the Urban Institute, Virginia Works, the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, and Go Pursue on projects related to career advising, registered apprenticeship, workforce strategy, research translation, and professional learning.

Kristen holds an M.A. in International Education from The George Washington University and a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science from Syracuse University. She is deeply connected to DC's education and workforce community and is passionate about creating opportunities for practitioners to learn from one another and strengthen their collective capacity to support learners.

Outside of work, Kristen enjoys listening to audiobooks, spending time outdoors with her dog, Mosley, and experimenting with new biscotti recipes. Whether it's the Olympics, Grand Slam tennis, or March Madness, she rarely misses a major sporting event.