Hi, I'm Krista! I’m a cisgender, able-bodied, neurodivergent woman born and raised in Portland. With Swedish and Dutch roots, I strive to understand how my heritage intersects with historical systems of harm. This awareness fuels my commitment to systemic justice and advocacy for the BIPOC community.

My journey to Sankofa began in the nonprofit sector, where I transitioned from an administrative role to director of a community social work organization dedicated to preventing child abuse through relationally-based family support and education. This woman-led agency prioritized relationships and fostered a supportive environment that valued work-life balance, allowing caregivers to thrive. These values shape my approach to leadership, both professionally and as a parent, as I guide my children to embrace their bicultural identities with pride and authenticity.

Through personal experiences and stories from clients and colleagues, I’ve come to see how our systems, while designed to protect some, often perpetuate harm—particularly for those outside the dominant culture. This understanding informs my work at Sankofa, where I develop operational systems to ensure compliance, sustainability, and support for QTBIPOC therapists in delivering culturally specific, trauma-informed care. Collaborating with the executive director and clinical team, I strive to align our operations with our mission and foster meaningful, equitable connections.

Nature nurtures my resilience. Outside of work, I cherish time with my family, enjoy walks with my husky, and delve into topics like personal finance, faith deconstruction, mental health (especially historical and religious trauma), and permaculture.