Kristen Aster has been with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) since February 2016. She is currently the Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration (RAI) headquarters Director for Client and Community Engagement, supporting more than 26 IRC offices across the United States and Europe as they strengthen relationships with their local communities, develop partnerships, and strengthen the influence clients have in IRC operations and their local communities. Previously she served in several roles on IRC’s US Programs Policy and Advocacy team. She also previously worked at Refugee Council USA, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the San Diego-based Hunger Advocacy Network. She has a Master's degree in Public Policy and a Certificate in Refugees and Humanitarian Emergencies from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Point Loma Nazarene University. She is currently based in Los Angeles, California.