Featured Guest Speaker

Kristen J. Sarri

Kristen J. Sarri, MPH ’97, is a native of Ann Arbor. Her early life was shaped by a strong sense of service. Her father, a Greek immigrant, came to the United States after World War II and built a life as an electrical engineer. Her mother, a social worker, was a leading expert in child and family welfare. Their commitment to public service and the importance of American leadership on the world stage deeply influenced Sarri. When she was 10, her family moved to Australia, where she spent endless hours exploring nature. Growing up, Sarri developed a deep love for the outdoors, particularly the ocean. 

Her passion for the natural world, combined with her parents’ emphasis on service, led her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, where she majored in Biology and minored in Political Science. Driven by a strong belief in engaging diverse stakeholders in policy making and finding innovative solutions to environment and development challenges, she went on to earn a Master of Science in Natural Resources and a Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan.

Sarri most recently served at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as a senior advisor for Climate and Environment in the Bureau for Resilience, Environment and Food Security and as the acting chief climate officer. In 2024, President Joe Biden nominated her to serve as the assistant secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. Sarri’s career spans more than three decades working on environmental policy to improve the livelihood of communities and protect nature. Prior to joining USAID, she served as president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. During her tenure, she transformed the organization into a leading voice for the conservation and restoration of US marine waters, working closely with local communities. She also has served in senior leadership positions in the Obama-Biden administration. Sarri also spent eight years working in policy advisory roles in the US Senate.

Sarri, an avid SCUBA diver, lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with her husband, Drew, and their many cats and dogs.