Senior Services got a live wire (not the first, by any means) when Kristen Perry joined the team. Kristen brings 8 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations, and a passion for working with older adults to her role. Her motto, “if it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a community to age an adult” and taking that to heart she has moved into a new position – vice president of community engagement – with vigor. Her specialty is connecting. Her assignment: identifying and strengthening the ties between Senior Services and the community. Her first project was creating a full-page events calendar for publication in the Winston-Salem Journal (and on the Senior Services website.)

Her life is one of readiness at every opportunity, all the while “following her passion,” as her father recommended.  He, a business consultant, and her mother, an RN, raised their four children to seek and honor education, value family, and always give their best effort. Kristen took this to heart, graduating Valedictorian of her high school class and receiving a full scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill. In fact, all four siblings attended or are attending UNC Chapel Hill; they’re very much a Tar Heel family.

Kristen’s choice of a major was business administration, which had fascinated her since she was a child.  However, by the time she received her bachelor of science in business administration, her passion had shifted from the business world of “maximizing profits” to what seemed more important: “making a difference in people’s lives…advocating for groups that needed a voice and strengthening communities.”

Her college graduation was followed by two years with the Carolina College Advising Corps helping students in Rockingham County prepare themselves for college, before earning her master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management at UNCG; which she credits with accelerating her nonprofit career.

In 2014, she married Marc Perry, an engineer whose work brought him here from Detroit, and they are enjoying the many activities available in Winston-Salem. They enjoy traveling as well and have hopes to see more of the U.S. and perhaps Europe later this year. Kristen’s down time is spent watching movies and reading (audio books) while on the treadmill or walking the dog.  Not surprisingly, she alternates professional-training literature and pure escape fiction. She finds every opportunity to spend time with her family and friends as well.

But most of her energy goes to Senior Services, “a stellar organization where everybody wants to work to make a difference.”

“It’s been an incredible opportunity to watch (CEO) Richard Gottlieb craft his vision of where we go next.”

Written by: Jo Dawson, Volunteer Writer