Kristen Christy - America's Resilience Speaker

Kristen Christy, America's Resilience Speaker, is a dynamic international speaker, trainer, writer, and coach. Her exceptional contributions to the field of resilience have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2018 Air Force Spouse of the Year, a 2019 Top 30 Women Military Influencer, a 2020 Remarkable Woman finalist, a 2021 Force for Change National Award winner, and a 2024 Top 25 Military Pioneer and Change-maker. She is deeply embedded in all aspects of the military community and is considered a Civic Leader in the Department of Defense.

Numerous challenges have marked Kristen's life, but she has shown remarkable strength in the face of adversity. As a world-class athlete at age 15, she experienced a massive stroke from a brain hemorrhage that left her physically and mentally broken. Later, the suicide of her first husband after a deployment devastated her family. Both of her sons’ attempted suicides and the later disappearance of her oldest due to mental illness left Kristen with a sense of failure. Yet she drew on her resilience and H.O.P.E. (Hold On, Pain Eases) to persevere over life's brutal

tests. She resonates with people from all walks of life.

Kristen is also a co-creator of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, the creator of National Resilience Day (March 4th), a member of the Air & Space Force Association's Forces and Family (F2) Task Force, and an Honorary

Commander at the US Air Force Academy. Additionally, she is a Master Resilience Trainer who has helped many people overcome their disappointments, insecurities, and adversities.

Kristen is a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin,

where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Communications. She also holds a Master's of Business Administration in Marketing from Colorado Technical University and is pursuing a PsyD in Grief Counseling.