Kristi Birney

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As the Bren School’s Associate Director of Career Development and Alumni Relations, Kristi is involved in all aspects of career development and alumni relations, playing a key role in employer outreach, job and internship development, alumni relations, and professional development.

Since receiving her master's degree from the Bren School in 2006, Kristi has worked in a variety of sectors including state government (Environmental Scientist for California State Parks), consulting (Environmental Planner for Rincon Consultants), and non-profit (Marine Conservation Director for the Environmental Defense Center). Through those experiences, Kristi has developed advanced skills in innovative problem-solving, outreach, development, management, recruitment, and events.

Over the years, Kristi has been involved with the Bren School program and the greater community in a number of ways. She has participated in numerous Bren School career panels and networking events, guest-lectured in several courses, given career-related talks, served as a Master’s Group Project client and external advisor, hired and mentored a number of Bren interns, and provided career guidance to many students. She has represented the conservation community on the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council and co-chaired the Santa Barbara Channel Marine Protected Area Collaborative. Kristi is an avid water person, spending her free time surfing and taking long stand-up paddle board excursions along the coast.