Kristen Ace Burns is the Associate Director at The Grable Foundation, a private family foundation that provides support for high-quality early learning, public education, out-of-school time, family engagement, and community-wide efforts to improve the lives of children in southwestern Pennsylvania. She leads Grable’s early childhood work, including early learning programs, professional development strategies, and support for parents of young children. Her grantmaking portfolio also includes girls’ issues, STEAM and maker learning, mentoring, and social services for children and families. In addition, she works closely with Grable’s Executive Director to manage elements of the foundation’s operations.
Prior to joining The Grable Foundation in 2007, Kristen served as President of REDF (formerly The Roberts Enterprise Development Fund), a San Francisco-based venture philanthropy organization that creates jobs and employment opportunities for people with the greatest barriers to work. Previously, she worked with Mercer Management Consulting in San Francisco and The Advisory Board Foundation (now CityBridge Foundation), a private family foundation in Washington, D.C. In 2008 she was appointed by Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell to serve on the state’s Early Learning Council, where she continues to offer advice about state policy.
Kristen holds an A.B. in History with a Certificate in American Studies from Princeton University, and an M.B.A. with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She lives in Pittsburgh with her husband and three children.