Kristen Wise

As president of SOAR!, Kristen Wise leads the organization in advancing its mission to support the safety, comfort, and dignity of aging Catholic Sisters, Brothers, and Priests. She works closely with the Board of Directors and staff to set the organization’s strategic direction, strengthen its grantmaking and fundraising efforts, build relationships with donors and partners, and ensure SOAR! continues to respond thoughtfully to the evolving needs of religious congregations across the United States.

Kristen brings more than a decade of experience at SOAR! and an extensive understanding of the needs and challenges facing aging religious and their congregations. Her experience spans nonprofit leadership and operations, grantmaking, philanthropy, strategic planning, donor stewardship, organizational partnerships, and relationship-building with religious communities and Catholic organizations nationwide. She is particularly committed to strengthening collaboration and finding new and innovative ways for SOAR! to expand its impact.

Before joining SOAR! in 2015, Kristen spent 13 years in parish ministry in southeast Texas, serving as a youth minister and coordinator of funeral ministry. Her Catholic faith and commitment to service continue to shape her leadership and her passion for ensuring that women and men religious who have dedicated their lives to serving others receive the care and dignity they deserve as they age.

When she isn’t at SOAR!, Kristen can often be found exploring Washington, DC, planning her next trip, enjoying live music, trying something new in the kitchen, or indulging her lifelong love of all things Disney.

Talk to Kristen about SOAR!’s mission and vision, opportunities to support or partner with SOAR!, or ways SOAR! can help your congregation care for its aging members.