Kristina Baker has been an integral part of the Heartspring team since the spring of 2003. She is currently the Director of Admissions and Outreach but has worn many hats including Admission Specialist, Marketing Coordinator and Coordinator of Outreach Programs. No matter what the title, Kristina has worked hard to give families a place they can look to for help. She uses her friendly personality and passion to connect with people across the country and the world to make them aware of the help Heartspring can give them and their loved ones.

In her time in admissions, she’s travelled across the country and spread awareness of the organization and the resources it offers. She created so much interest that she not only filled the school’s vacant spots, the school adopted a waiting list status about a year and a half after she moved into the director position. Kristina also grew Heartspring’s global footprint by expanding the organization’s international relationships and making connections in new, different parts of the world. With every new connection, Kristina increased the number of children globally that Heartspring could help. She coordinates training for Heartspring professionals to travel abroad and spread their knowledge as well as professionals from other countries to come to Heartspring to learn and share ideas.

Before coming to Heartspring, Kristina worked at the Kansas Elks Training Center for the Handicapped (KETCH) as the Admission Coordinator. There, she assisted and advocated for adults with disabilities allowing them to access the necessary resources, supports and services they needed to live as independently as possible. Her work there also led her to become a legal guardian for a woman she met through KETCH.

Kristina lives in Wichita with her husband and daughter. She is proud of the work she does and how it has impacted her family. Her daughter is also drawn to being an advocate for people who society can sometime overlook. Kristina has a degree in communication sciences and disorders from Wichita State University. She graduated magna cum laude.