Kristin Haugen

 Secretary

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Candidate Statement

I humbly ask to be NAPABA Secretary so that I may serve you and this amazing organization. I am organized, detail-oriented, and well-acquainted with good board governance processes.  I have served as Chairman of the Board, President, Treasurer, and Secretary of professional and community organizations including most recently Minnesota Women Lawyers and the National Association of Asian American Professionals – Minnesota. As a long-time NAPABA Board member, I also appreciate the nuances of how NAPABA operates. 

As is the case with many of our members, my first NAPABA experience came from attending a NAPABA Convention. I knew that NAPABA had a vast array of committees and networks, top notch programming, and was a recognized leader and voice for the AAPI community. What I did not know was how quickly, easily, and permanently I would become connected to my NAPABA family. I have learned so much from NAPABA members, not only about substantive law and organizational governance, but also about the intangibles. I’ve repeatedly witnessed immense kindness, a willingness to selflessly help others, and incredible teamwork. I am proud to be a part of this community and am committed to helping it grow to achieve its full potential. 

At that first convention, I immediately knew I wanted to become more involved, to stay connected with those I had met, and to build something great together. I became a champion for the organization, sharing my excitement for NAPABA with others. I joined committees and networks, started volunteering, and eventually stepped into leadership roles. The more I’ve done, the more I’ve seen what can be done and how we can together take NAPABA to the next level.   

As Chair of the Administration, Policy, and Programs Standing Committee, I’ve had a clear view of the breadth and depth of all of NAPABA’s work and influenced how and what we do. It’s incredible, but there is still room for improvement. Throughout the last year, we looked at NAPABA internally -- at how to increase not only membership numbers but also membership engagement; how to expand and make more accessible programming for law students, public sector, and non-profit attorneys; and how to better partner with our affiliates. And we looked externally -- at how to identify partners, opportunities and issues that are aligned with our values and a good fit for NAPABA. We have worked in harmony with NAPABA staff on these initiatives. 

My ability to see issues from multiple perspectives, skill at building consensus, and commitment to NAPABA’s mission would be assets to the Board. Geographically, I am an East Coast native living in the Midwest, with strong ties from coast to coast. My perspectives are informed by my work in a variety of practice areas and settings including as in house counsel, large law firm litigator, solo attorney, and even volunteer public defender.  As an attorney coach, I honed my ability to listen and guide others. Whether as part of the NAPABA Board, an editorial board, or a local community board, fostering positive discussion, exploring possibilities, and then executing on decisions are critical areas in which I excel.   

Those who know me, know that I am “ALL IN” on whatever I choose to do and NAPABA is no exception. I bring experience and institutional knowledge having served on committees, networks, and in leadership across NAPABA.  I have a track record of bringing people and organizations together, developing innovative programming, and investing in the success of others, all skills that align with the work of NAPABA. My board governance knowledge, diverse professional experience, and collaborative style has prepared me to make additional, meaningful contributions to the Board as Secretary.

If given the opportunity to serve as Secretary, I would ensure that proper procedure is followed, Board actions are properly memorialized, and communications within and outside the Board are improved. I love NAPABA – our members, groups, and events. I welcome the opportunity to connect with you (kristin.haugen@lifeworks.com) and to give back to this organization that has given me so much. 

Candidate Bio

Kristin is currently Vice President, Legal at LifeWorks, a publicly traded company operating in over 160 countries and supporting over 26 million people, focused on improving the health and wellness of employees and their families.

In addition to serving on the Advisory Board of NAPABA, Kristin is the President of Minnesota Women Lawyers, and serves on various boards including National Association of Asian American Professionals-Minnesota (NAAAP-MN) and the Institute for Well-Being in Law. She has been recognized as MNAPABA Attorney of the Year.

Originally, from Syracuse, New York, Kristin received her B.A. with distinction in all subjects from Cornell University and her J.D. cum laude from University of Illinois College of Law.

Endorsements

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• Submit an individual endorsement here.
• Endorsements will be posted Monday, Wednesday, and Friday by 12 pm EDT.
  

NAPABA Affiliate Endorsements

•  Asian American Bar Association of New York
  

Individual Endorsements

*All work or organizational affiliations disclosed are for identification and disclosures purposes only, and do not constitute endorsements by those institutions.