Kristen Leanderson Abrams is a seasoned nonprofit leader and international human rights advocate with more than two decades of experience mobilizing cross-sector stakeholders—including companies, philanthropies, governments, and civil society—to accelerate progress toward a free and just world for all.

Throughout her career, Kristen has led initiatives to combat human rights abuses in global supply chains, secure justice for survivors of human trafficking, and harness technology and data to advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Most recently, she served as Chief Program Officer at the McCain Institute, where she directed programs on global democracy, human rights, and leadership. During her tenure at the McCain Institute, she also served as the Senior Director of the Combatting Human Trafficking program and Managing Director of the Buffett-McCain Institute Initiative to Combat Modern Slavery.

Previously, Kristen founded and led a consultancy that advised organizations and businesses on philanthropic strategy and advocacy to address a broad range of human rights challenges. Earlier in her career, she oversaw international pro bono programs at DLA Piper, managing cross-disciplinary initiatives focused on rule of law, economic development, and women’s rights across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. She has also provided legal counsel on public international law and political law, and began her career as a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Kristen earned her Juris Doctor with honors from The George Washington University Law School and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.