Kristen brings a deep love of storytelling and a sharp eye for media relations to her work at Cookson. With a career that spans finance, higher education, and even a NASA-funded research institute, she thrives on uncovering compelling stories and helping clients shine in the spotlight. Kristen is known for her approachable style, resourcefulness, and commitment to building lasting relationships with reporters, clients, and colleagues alike.
Background
A lifelong New Hampshire native, Kristen discovered her passion for writing early on thanks to an inspiring teacher at Manchester West High School. She earned her English degree from the University of New Hampshire, eventually segueing from a finance role in Boston into communications and her first glimpse of the PR world. A move to Houston then led to a career-defining role with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute, where she managed communications and coordinated its NASA internship program. She later earned a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Houston, taught as an adjunct professor, and continued to build her expertise in media relations and strategic communications in agency environments before returning to her beloved New Hampshire.
Passions
Outside of work, Kristen is all in on family life with her husband and their three energetic boys, who keep the family rink-hopping across the northeast for youth hockey. Her own happy place is on the slopes — skiing at Cannon Mountain and revisiting Waterville Valley, where she and her husband were married. Though a self-described “New Hampshire gal,” she also enjoys travel, with favorite memories in Italy, Florida, and Cape Cod, and she’s rarely without a book in hand. Kristen is drawn to historical nonfiction and books with strong female protagonists, like “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon. Whether she’s strategizing for clients or savoring a great novel, Kristen brings curiosity, energy, and a love of story to everything she does.
