Kirsten Anderson is Senior Director of Philanthropy at Whatcom Community Foundation, where she leads a team building donor relationships rooted in trust, reciprocity, and shared purpose. She helps individuals and families put their values into action, turning generosity into lasting, equitable impact for Whatcom County and the communities they care about.
Kirsten holds an MBA from Western Washington University and a Certificate of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from Cornell University. She has spent the past two decades in the public and nonprofit sectors, bringing a systems-thinking approach to philanthropy. She sees fundraising and grantmaking as two expressions of the same commitment to community flourishing. Drawing on community-centric, trust-based, and reparative philanthropy, she creates giving experiences that honor both the people giving and the communities receiving.
Kirsten’s social impact career has included supporting an Indigenous-led storytelling nonprofit, managing conservation programs in under-resourced communities, facilitating cross-functional committees in higher education, and coordinating international conferences. Along the way, she learned that the best outcomes come from centering relationship and honoring what each person uniquely brings. As a 21/64 Certified Advisor, she carries that belief into individual and family conversations, helping each generation find its voice and shape a shared giving legacy that feels authentically their own.
Outside of work, you can find her exploring the Salish Sea Region with her partner, Peter, and always packing a pair of binoculars. Kirsten is proud to serve on the North Cascades Audubon Society board the past 9 years.
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