Open To Work
Kristen Harbeson
Baltimore,MD
Summary
Accomplished Political Director with a proven track record in policy analysis, strategic thinking, and coalition building, driving effective environmental legislation and advocacy efforts through education.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Political Director
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
Annapolis, MD
09.2025 - Current
- Lead lobbyist for the passage of robust environmental legislation
- Manages policy operations including reviewing and assigning legislation to colleagues, tracking legislation, and managing weekly meetings
- Spearheads and drafts accountability publications including Annual Legislative scorecard and bi-annual Governor’s Report Card
- Crafts coalition legislative strategy around priority campaigns
- Drafts and delivers oral and written testimony
- Chairs Community Coalition for the Environment
- Chairs regular meetings of more than 40 diverse environmental nonprofits
- Coordinates selection of priority legislation
- Oversees annual Environmental Summit
- Facilitates educational opportunities for community leaders
- Acts as point of contact for legislators and stakeholders to communicate with the environmental community
- Identifies priority districts and directs organizational investment
- Cultivates relationships with legislators and staff
- Conducts candidate interviews and manages endorsement and voter engagement programs
Senior Committee Staff
Maryland General Assembly
Annapolis, MD
12.2010 - 08.2015
- Managed Chairman’s schedule and all Committee logistics.
- Supervised Committee and District Office staff.
- Coordinated briefing schedules, site-visits, and meetings with state officials at all levels.
- Represented Chairman in meetings with lobbyists, advocates, constituents, and community meetings, including Maryland Historical Trust Board and Center for Agro-Ecology.
- Provided substantive legislative support: drafts testimony, delivers oral testimony, coordinates supporters, secures co-sponsors, meets with supporters and opponents to amend legislation, tracks and analyzes Committee legislation.
State Services Director
National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers
Washington, DC
07.2007 - 12.2010
- Planned and coordinated all board and executive committee meetings.
- Coordinated Annual Advocacy Day and National Annual Meeting.
- Reached out to federal agencies, graduate programs, partner organizations and the general public to support State Historic Preservation Organizations.
- Designed, launched and maintained www.fullyfundhpf.org and acted as primary coordinator of grassroots effort for full funding of the Historic Preservation Fund.
- Tracked, collected and analyzed data relating to the implementation of American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds, and the impact of State budget crises on State Historic Preservation Officers nationwide.
- Coordinated with national organizations on disaster preparedness and response efforts.
- Engaged with national organizations to create coordinated agenda on sustainability and historic preservation.
- Served on Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Committee on Education and Outreach.
- Redesigned and managed website and membership listserv
Education and Outreach Director
Preservation Maryland
Baltimore, MD
07.2004 - 07.2007
- Managed all aspects of the Annual Preservation & Revitalization Conference, one of the largest statewide preservation conferences in the country.
- Developed “Colleagues” organizational membership program, supporting local preservation organizations around the state, including a bi- weekly electronic newsletter, regular workshops, and outreach.
- Created and implemented Endangered Maryland program in partnership with Maryland Life Magazine.
Director of Education
USS Constellation Museum, Living Classrooms Foundation
Baltimore, MD
04.2003 - 07.2004
- Created and led dynamic education department including self-guided tours,school programs and overnight programs for youth groups in both history and science education. Trained volunteer and staff educators. Created promotional material.
- Worked cooperatively with curatorial and operations staff to develop new audio tourfor USS Constellation sesquicentennial celebration.
- Managed data and reporting.
Director of Development
Baltimore Maritime Museum, Living Classrooms Foundation
Baltimore, MD
11.2001 - 04.2003
- Successfully managed fundraising for restoration projects and exhibits on three historic ships and a lighthouse, raising $150,000 in grants, in-kind and membership donations.
- Oversaw 400% increase in membership.
- Managed Seaport Guide staff of ten, including hiring, firing, scheduling and training.
- Developed public program offerings.
Seaport Education Team Educator
Living Classrooms Foundation
Baltimore, MD
08.2000 - 11.2001
- Taught and developed State Curriculum driven programs for the USS Constellation Museum and Baltimore Maritime Museum.
- Worked cooperatively to design and produce self-guided tours and web-based education programs. Managed data and reporting.
Education
Master of Science - History And Museum Studies
University of Deleware
Newark, DE2000
Advanced French Language And Literature -
Cours De Civilisation De La Sorbonne
Paris, France1997
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary
Hampshire College
Amherst1996
Skills
- Policy analysis
- Coalition building
- Government relations
- Legislative affairs
- Strategic thinking
- Creative thinking
- Effective communication
- Conversational French
- Political education
Accomplishments
- Key lobbyist and strategist for significant environmental policies, including transportation funding, pesticide restrictions, climate solutions, solar energy and land use.
- Expanded and transformed environmental community table into an effective, cohesive, organized coalition
- Re-envisioned and refreshed Legislative Scorecard to improve accountability of elected officials
- Recognized Champion by Coalition for Community Solar Access
Certification
Certificate of Museum Studies from the University of Maryland
Languages
French
Professional Working
Timeline
Political Director
Maryland League of Conservation Voters
09.2025 - Current
Senior Committee Staff
Maryland General Assembly
12.2010 - 08.2015
State Services Director
National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers
07.2007 - 12.2010
Education and Outreach Director
Preservation Maryland
07.2004 - 07.2007
Director of Education
USS Constellation Museum, Living Classrooms Foundation
04.2003 - 07.2004
Director of Development
Baltimore Maritime Museum, Living Classrooms Foundation
11.2001 - 04.2003
Seaport Education Team Educator
Living Classrooms Foundation
08.2000 - 11.2001
Master of Science - History And Museum Studies
University of Deleware
Advanced French Language And Literature -
Cours De Civilisation De La Sorbonne
Bachelor of Arts - Interdisciplinary
Hampshire College