Kirsten Zacharias, originally from the Midwest, moved to Arizona in 2000 and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Communication. Her career began in hospitality, showcasing her strong organizational skills. In 2011, she joined NASCLA as a Program Coordinator, steadily advancing to roles like Program Manager and Board/Committee Liaison until 2018. Following a relocation, she worked as a Project Implementation Manager for Aspen Dental until 2022. With the onset of the pandemic and technological advancements, Kirsten seized the opportunity to return to NASCLA as the Strategy Director. In this capacity, she spearheads strategic initiatives across the association, collaborating closely with leadership to drive success in areas such as membership, education, partnerships, and overall development.