Kirsten Aird
Lake Oswego,OR
Summary
Intuitive leader with 23 years of progressive experience in public health policy and management. Commitment to sharing power throughout an organization, while unafraid to be decisive in difficult circumstances. Goal-oriented with a steady and focused demeanor in stressful situations. Demonstrated success using appreciative inquiry for strategic planning and organizational change initiatives within government agencies.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Public Health Director
Oregon Health Authority
10.2023 - Current
- Assist PHD Director in development, management, implementation and evaluation of Division strategic initiatives.
- Provide leadership and coordination of Policy and Partnership program and direct supervision of Policy and Partnership staff, specifically facilitated transition of Community Engagement Team to the Equity Unit, using community input and direction to drive needed structure for optimal community support.
- Assist PHD Director in working with critical partners in the Governor's office, state legislative committees, Conference of Local Health Officials and other policy-setting organizations.
- Ensured division wide compliance of federal, state and local public health policies. Including state specific public health regulatory practices requiring collaboration with local jurisdictions.
- Co-lead with the State Epidemiologist Oregon's State Health Assessment for 2024. Including contract administration of community specific grantees and partners driving data collection and meaning of data reviewed.
- This position serves as part of Division Leadership to carry out the mission of the Public Health Division.
- This position is responsible to step in for Public Health Director when needed
School Board Director (Elected Position)
Lake Oswego School District
07.2019 - Current
- Provide oversite and supervision as a board director for Superintendent of Lake Oswego schools. Ensure performance reviews are complete and timely, Ensure sound public financing and budget management for the district.
- Maintain objectivity during public meetings and decision-making.
- Regularly collaborate with the local media and respond to media inquires.
- Communicate through letters, presentations and meetings with staff, families and students.
- 21-22 school year served as chair. Planned and oversaw meetings in accordance with governing documents.
- 20-21 school year served as vice-chair. Chaired legal budget committee and supported superintendent and district in the COVID response.
- Approve all curriculum for district and review state laws and district policies and ensure implementation of state laws and local policies.
- Led development of the health and resiliency priority in the strategic plan (2021-2022).
- Direct the Superintendent on all labor negotiations for teachers and classified staff.
Business Operations Director
Oregon Health Authority
02.2019 - 09.2023
- Responsible for division operations and leading Public Health Division's (PHD) culture of continuous quality improvement and performance management across enterprise systems.
- Provided leadership and direct oversight of day-to-day business operations by fostering deep professional relationships with each section and program in PHD, and with critical agency and enterprise collaborators working in facilities, IT, procurement, and human resources.
- Led the logistics transition for over 400 staff from the Covid Response and Recovery Unit to the Oregon Public Health Division.
- Represented Public Health Division on statewide labor-management team for health and human services.
- Worked in tandem with peers to better understand business process and initiate improvements, helping PHD achieve goals set forth through the strategic plan and key initiatives.
- Promoted energetic atmosphere with purpose to drive improvements in employee care and experiences.
- Led development of PHD's current strategic plan. Identified and committed resources to ensure optimal implementation of the plan, in alignment with Oregon Health Authority priorities, Public Health Accreditation and Oregon's Public Health Modernization investments.
- Developed division metrics and standard operating procedures to support the strategic plan.
- Recruited, hired, mentored and trained staff on business procedures, policies, duties and customer care methods.
Chronic Disease Programs Manager
Oregon Health Authority
06.2013 - 02.2019
- Developed and implemented policies and provided strategic leadership and direction for PHD's Chronic disease programs, including Arthritis, Asthma, Diabetes, and Heart Disease & Stroke prevention and control.
- Worked with other State agencies; health care systems, insurers, professional medical organizations, local health Departments; tribes; and employers to ensure people living in Oregon have coverage and access to evidence-based chronic disease self-management and screening supports for asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and substance use disorders.
- Oversaw and managed policy and program planning and implementation for PHD's Chronic disease programs. Federal grant management including budget and work plan development, monitoring and reporting.
- Developed and directed the Sustainable Relationships for Community Health grant for 10 different local public health grantees, contributing to their relationships with health care systems, community organizations, and other local partners.
- Cross-trained and supervised twelve employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Represented OHA- Public Health Division on Governor Brown's Wildfire Council, delivering a comprehensive health and environmental response to addressing the growing intensity of wild land fires in Oregon.
Board President
Chelsea Hicks Foundation
10.2009 - 12.2016
- Founding Board President for Chelsea Hicks Foundation. Supervised Executive Director, including annual reviews, disciplinary action, budget accounting overview, and HR advisement for staff.
- Planned and executed annual strategic planning and monthly meetings.
- Public speaker and advocate for the foundation, and sought donors.
- Initiated strategy to drive program growth and increase presence in children's hospitals in Oregon.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with families, youth patients, donors and strategic partners.
Senior Policy Analyst (PA3-management)
Oregon Health Authority
01.2011 - 06.2013
- Recommended updates to current legislation, regulations and policies.
- Evaluate and recommend program priorities and strategies to achieve state program goals or to meet funding requirements.
- Develop recommendations and legislative concepts for agency heads, legislators, and partners regarding policies to address tobacco and obesity, early detection, and chronic disease self-management.
- Develop and maintain relationships with staff from local, state and national agencies.
- Coordinate statewide inter-agency, multi-disciplinary task forces and work groups on public health initiatives (i.e Wildfire, Tobacco Prevention, Sugary Beverage taxes).
Workforce Capacity Lead-Program Analyst 3
Oregon Department of Human Services
08.2008 - 12.2010
- Responsible for assuring the workforce capacity team provides the overall strategic direction, planning, development, and coordination of a system to increase the skills, knowledge and experiences for the HPCPD staff, grantees, contractors and partners
- Provide day-to-day supervision for two HPCPD staff
- Responsible for the development and completion of a HPCDP staff and grantees skills assessment
- Responsible for organizing and facilitating statewide HPCPD meetings and events, including annual meetings, grantees and contractors meetings, healthy community institutes, and regional meetings
- Provide contract oversight for events contractors.
Schools Program Lead
Oregon Department of Human Services
06.2006 - 08.2008
- Responsible for establishing program guidelines, structure and management of approximately $750,000 in contracts for seven school-based tobacco prevention and education programs.
- Provided training, technical assistance, and day-to-day management for all seven school-based programs. Collaborated with the Office of Family Health to provide four coordinated school health institutes for school based tobacco prevention programs.
- Facilitated the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section's process for developing a vision statement and the Healthy Places, Healthy People framework for Oregon.
- Developed the Healthy Communities Building Capacity county program including establishing the program element and budget.
Health Systems/Care Improvement Coordinator
Oregon Department of Human Services
08.2003 - 07.2006
- Coordinated statewide asthma data connectivity initiatives including the Chronic Disease Data Clearinghouse. An early proof of concept that demonstrated value in data system interoperability using insurance claims data and physician electronic health record systems.
- Responsible for the distribution and marketing of the 2005 Guide to Improving Asthma Care in Oregon, including efforts to identify and develop health care provider resources supporting clinical asthma management.
- Coordinated statewide asthma care improvement initiatives with a variety of stakeholders
- Provided technical assistance for school nurses on asthma care in school.
Asthma Program Manager
American Lung Association of Oregon
02.2002 - 08.2003
- Managed all asthma programming in Oregon including the roll out of Open Airways in Schools- asthma education program for k-5.
- Managed 10 grants with school districts across Oregon, including Portland Public and Tigard School districts.
- Monitored grant outcomes, budgets and provided training for school nurses in all grant funded districts
- Co-designed Fresh air for little noses, a pre-school asthma education program.
- Worked with Head Start schools in the Tri-County Metro area.
- Worked on the implementation and evaluation of the program fidelity.
- Transition the Asthma Camp Program to a train the trainer asthma care program for summer camps so that the camp nurses were equipped to support campers with asthma.
- Created with NIKE support, a training for High School Athletic Directors in Oregon an asthma management program. attend any camp they want and have supports to thrive..
- Created with NIKE support, a training for High School Athletic Directors in Oregon an asthma management program
- Trained over 50 athletic trainers from across Oregon.
Education
Masters Public Health - Public Health Policy And Management
Emory University- Rollins School of Public Health
Atlanta, GA12.2001
Bachelor of Science - Biology/Chemistry
Linfield College
Mcminnville, OR06.1996
Skills
- Facilitator of large scale equity initiatives
- Engaging public speaker
- Collaborative mindset
- Leading staff centered organizational change
- Matching staff talents with needed tasks
Timeline
Deputy Public Health Director
Oregon Health Authority
10.2023 - Current
School Board Director (Elected Position)
Lake Oswego School District
07.2019 - Current
Business Operations Director
Oregon Health Authority
02.2019 - 09.2023
Chronic Disease Programs Manager
Oregon Health Authority
06.2013 - 02.2019
Senior Policy Analyst (PA3-management)
Oregon Health Authority
01.2011 - 06.2013
Board President
Chelsea Hicks Foundation
10.2009 - 12.2016
Workforce Capacity Lead-Program Analyst 3
Oregon Department of Human Services
08.2008 - 12.2010
Schools Program Lead
Oregon Department of Human Services
06.2006 - 08.2008
Health Systems/Care Improvement Coordinator
Oregon Department of Human Services
08.2003 - 07.2006
Asthma Program Manager
American Lung Association of Oregon
02.2002 - 08.2003
Masters Public Health - Public Health Policy And Management
Emory University- Rollins School of Public Health
Bachelor of Science - Biology/Chemistry
Linfield College
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