Kristen Batstone grew up in rural Pennsylvania, where everyday life included driving an hour for groceries or struggling to find a doctor. Although it felt normal at the time, later she realized those experiences pointed to bigger structural gaps. “I saw how often rural voices were left out of the conversation,” Kristen says. “After volunteering at my local food pantry, I also saw how quickly hardship could touch any household.”
These realizations propelled her toward a career in public service and public policy. After earning her undergraduate degree at American University, Kristen built her career around bringing rural perspectives into national discussions. During her work at Save the Children, leading its domestic nutrition policy portfolio, her advocacy efforts caught the attention of congressional staff, and this year she stepped into a new role as a Legislative Assistant on the House Agriculture Committee, covering the nutrition portfolio.
The Bryce Harlow Fellowship is natural fit for Kristen, and she’s especially excited about working with her mentor, Alison Bodor, who also specializes in food and nutrition policy. Kristen sees her own path as aligned with the spirit of Bryce Harlow himself. “I love working alongside Congress to make a difference and am looking forward to learning from experts in the profession.” Kristen said.
