Bio Kristen M. Patterson’s

Kristen M. Patterson, MBA, GCDF is a graduate from University of North
Carolina-Greensboro, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
and the University of Maryland University College with a Master’s in
Business Administration. The majority of her professional career has been
centered around workforce development and positive youth development.
Kristen has worked alongside a diverse population of individuals with
barriers to employment to obtain their GED’s, enroll in Post-Secondary
education, and obtain employment. She truly believes that assisting
individuals to improve their essential skills, technical skills,
occupational skills, or basic skills is an opportunity to make a
generational impact. These beliefs have been cultivated throughout her
career whether assisting individuals experiencing homeless in Washington DC
to move into housing and obtain employment, during her time as a WIA/WIOA
Title 1 Youth Provider and have carried on to current position at the
Maryland Department of Labor where she is the State Coordinator for
Disability and Youth Services. This position allows Kristen to provide
oversight, training, and technical assistance to the Local Areas as they
implement WIOA Youth Services and ensures that individuals with
disabilities have access to the services provided. She serves as a Member
of the State Rehabilitation Council, the Advisory Council for Deaf and Hard
of Hearing, and the MDTAP Advisory Council