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 previously served 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. In 2025, she
became a new member of the Bangor Mechanic Association. Finally, Kirsten is so excited to have
joined the National Challenger Center board in August 2024 in the Executive Director seat.