Executive Director, Rebuilding Together New Orleans, 2006-present

The mission of Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO) is to improve the quality of life of low-income elderly and physically disabled homeowners through home repair and the revitalization of neighborhoods.

• Quadrupled the budget in 3 years to a $6 million dollar annual operation and created an aggressive year-round revitalization program
• Put over 400 displaced residents back in their homes post-Katrina
• Organized and led over 10,000 volunteers from across the nation in rebuilding Katrina damaged homes throughout New Orleans
• Raised $6 million dollars in the private sector and with $7 million, improved public funding to become a model for successful rebuilding
• Initiated an AmeriCorps and VISTA (Volunteers In Service to America) program within RTNO that has leveraged resources and is currently the largest and most successful AmeriCorps rebuilding program in New Orleans
• Established the very successful Salvage Store which receives architectural salvage from homes that are being demolished, utilizing the materials in rebuilds and selling to general public
• Created a Deconstruction Program that trains workers in retrieving materials from homes that are to be demolished in New Orleans and educates the public in the reuse of building materials

Click here to see before and after photos of Rebuilding Together homes

Construction Entrepreneur, 1994- present

Kristin is the owner of a private building and renovation business, working primarily on weekends and holidays.

• Renovated 7 homes and one commercial structure
• Acts as a volunteer consultant to assist others in understanding the permitting processes as well as City Planning Commission and zoning ordinances

Founder and President, Confetti Kids, Inc., 1999- 2005

Kristin created Confetti Kids, a non-profit that improves the quality of life of the children of Algiers Point through the renovation of parks and playgrounds.

• Organized a neighborhood grassroots effort to engage resident families and achieve community goals.
• Launched a successful capital campaign to renovate Confetti Park and to landscape, to purchase new playground equipment, benches and gates
• Developed and coordinated family events at the Park throughout the year

Coordinator for Historic Preservation Education, Preservation Resource Center, 2003-2004

Created curriculum to teach kids ages 9 to 13 years about New Orleans historic neighborhoods, architecture and neighborhood revitalization.

• Conducted presentations and tours to help students understand their rich culture and the economic and social benefits of preservation

Program Manager, United Way of New Orleans, 1999-2000

Managed a volunteer renovation effort to repair United Way facilities, local nonprofit organizations and public schools in a 3 parish area.

• Coordinated efforts between United Way staff, public school representatives and the business community

• Managed assessments of capital improvement needs of over 60 public schools and non-profit agencies

• Partnered volunteer teams with appropriate work scopes and sites

Executive Director, Christmas in October, Preservation Resource Center, 1993 – 1998

Christmas in October, the precursor of Rebuilding Together New Orleans, was an organization dedicated to the revitalization of low income neighborhoods through home repair and rebuilding.

• Worked with 16 neighborhood organizations throughout the city of New Orleans to identify and assist low income, elderly and/or disabled homeowners

• As Director: Increased the number of homeowners helped by over 50% each year

• Recruited and managed over 100 teams of corporate and community volunteers, each year, that performed the necessary repairs and rebuilds

• Increased volunteer base from 2,000 a year to over 4,000, and tripled the annual operating budget and staff

• Consistently held a record of perfect audits, both pragmatically and fiscally

• Created computer tracking and warehouse systems to address the needs of multiple neighborhoods simultaneously

Education

• Saint Louis University, Bachelor of Arts, History

• Regent’s College