Kristen Bales

University of Washington, Foster School of Business

“Living between the measure of strategy and magic of art, uncovering the strength in both.”

Hometown: Redmond, WA

Fun fact about yourself: In 2016, I wrote and mailed one hand-written letter each week to someone who has impacted my life. I’ve also backpacked the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim.

Undergraduate School and Degree: BIOLA University, BS in Business Administration, Art Minor

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? Adobe, Search Marketing Manager, San Francisco, CA

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? Microsoft, Redmond, WA

Where will you be working after graduation? Microsoft, HR Rotational Program

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow
• Forté Foundation Fellow
• Fritzky Leadership Fellow
• Charles F. Frankland Memorial Scholarship
• MBA Strategy Consultant for the Special Olympics of Washington
• Organized 5 MBA Moms Lunches
• Co-led a Foster Leadership Academy workshop for 39 undergraduates.

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? The academic accomplishment I take the most pride in is leveraging the entire University of Washington ecosystem and enrolling in three courses outside of the Foster School of Business. In the (dis)Ability, Education, and the Arts course, I gained insights into the tensions experienced by individuals with disabilities, including being seen and unseen, visible and invisible. In the Data-Driven Art course, I utilized various AI tools such as Google CoLab: GPT2 Simple, Chat GPT 3.5, Image FX, as well as Amazon Polly, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Premiere Rush. These tools enabled me to produce a six-minute artwork titled ‘A Still Life of Strength’, exploring the contrasting perspectives of human and AI responses to questions around cultivating strength in women. I invited eleven Full-Time MBA female classmates from diverse backgrounds including Nigeria, China, Korea, India, Pakistan, and the United States to contribute voice recordings too. Currently, I am enrolled in the Designing Interactive Systems course, where we are exploring ways to reliably bring forward the emergence of a more equitable, more resilient, more joyous world. I am grateful for the University of Washington’s wide array of high-quality courses, which have provided me with holistic learning experience and the ability to integrate connections between various disciplines and the business world.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? One achievement in my professional career that I am most proud of is my dedication to driving positive change for marginalized communities during my tenure at Adobe. Through a partnership with the nonprofit organization Team4Tech, I was selected among global Adobe employees as part of an eight-person team to serve as a teacher educator in South Africa’s Kayamandi Township. In this role, I designed and facilitated workshops on Adobe Spark and Google Classroom for 23 teachers responsible for educating 811 students. Witnessing the transformative shift in the teachers’ mindsets toward technology, from being intimidated by technology to feeling empowered by it, was truly inspiring. This achievement embodies my vision to make a meaningful impact and empower others through education, art, and technology.

Why did you choose this business school? I chose the UW Foster School of Business because of its deeply ingrained sense of community. The program’s focus on intimate class sizes, a culture of continuous learning and development, and a dedication to bettering humanity, truly exemplify a collaborative environment. During my MBA research, I reached out to Christine Pham, the 2022 Foster VP of Diversity, who highlighted the inclusive atmosphere at Foster, affirming that “you really have a voice here.” Unlike numerous other MBA programs that promote competitiveness, Foster stands apart as a place where students embrace an ‘all boats rise’ mindset.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My most cherished MBA course experience was my Fritzky Fellows Leadership class. It encompassed three core components: mentoring first-year MBA students and teams, engaging in class sessions with distinguished speakers, and receiving personalized career coaching. Mentoring eight first-year MBA students and three teams – meeting with them three times each quarter – was profoundly impactful. Each conversation was a space not to jump to answers, but to be a guide on a journey of deeper questions. The caliber of guest speakers was exceptional, featuring C-suite executives who illustrated diverse facets of leadership. Their anecdotes underscored the importance of establishing urgency while exercising patience and demonstrating humility and boldness. Finally, the one-on-one coaching sessions helped me to unlearn ingrained patterns and encouraged me to take risks. These multifaceted dialogues have significantly shaped my approach to leadership and the art of asking great questions.

What was your favorite MBA event or tradition at your business school? My favorite MBA tradition at Foster occurred during our onboarding week for the Fritzky Leadership Fellow program. Each year, the newly-formed cohort comes together for the unique experience of rowing on Lake Union. This tradition emphasizes the blend of simplicity and complexity inherent in rowing, fostering teamwork, communication, and camaraderie. Additionally, gathering inside the historic ‘Associated Students of the UW Shell House’, built in 1918 and once home to the legendary 1936 Olympic Gold medal-winning UW Men’s Rowing team, added to the significance of the experience. This rowing tradition reflects Foster’s commitment to community and collaboration.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? Reflecting on my MBA journey, one thing I would change is beginning my MBA earlier in my professional career. As a mother of two young boys, ages four and two, I find myself fully immersed in the wonderful yet demanding role of parenting. I took a three-year hiatus from the workforce to prioritize family, particularly during the COVID pandemic. Achieving my MBA would not have been possible without the steadfast support of my community. My friend Julia generously delivered prepared meals during my finals week; Madeline sent encouraging texts and money for coffee; and my parents provided backup childcare, always willing to adjust their plans to pick up sick kids on short notice. My husband has been my unwavering support, always encouraging me, and putting his dreams on pause in this season so I can pursue mine. Despite the inevitable challenges of parenting, I would not trade its beautiful chaos. I am grateful for the opportunity to navigate both parenthood and academic pursuits, showing my sons how to dream big dreams and pursue them.

What did you love most about your business school’s town? Having grown up here in Redmond, WA, I ventured out of state along the West Coast for a decade before returning home. One standout experience from last summer was taking the ferry with my family to Bainbridge Island and seeing orcas. We also backpacked through the Enchantments in the Cascades. In October, my family and I hiked both Mt, Rainier, and Mt. Baker on beautiful, clear, crisp days. While I’ve savored the California sunshine and the rugged beauty of the Oregon coast, nothing quite compares to the scenery of Seattle.

What surprised you the most about business school? I was pleasantly surprised by the significant emphasis on experiential learning and the practical application of business principles at Foster. Learning extended beyond the classroom, transitioning from theory to real-world practice. Alongside the core Case Competition, I actively participated in four project-based courses. These included collaborating with Microsoft to identify the Total Addressable Market for Higher Education startups; working with SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association) in India to enhance brand visibility and facilitate employment opportunities for women; strategizing with the Thomas Group to develop a location analysis model; and currently, engaging with the Special Olympics of Washington to explore innovative strategies for revenue diversification.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? Cory Elam. Do you know someone who consistently asks thought-provoking questions? That’s Cory for you—a fellow Fritzky Leadership Fellow whom I deeply respect for his gift of simplifying the complex. Alongside his significant contributions to the Foster community as the President of the Foster Strategy Club and Honor Council Co-Chair, Cory’s intentionality, humility, and integrity inspire me. Despite his full schedule, he remains down-to-earth and always willing to lend a helping hand or engage in meaningful conversations over a cup of coffee.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1) In January 2019, I launched a project called 100 Souls Strong, empowering women to understand their own strength, inspire others with their stories, and encourage bold kindness. Each month, I interview, photograph, and give $100 to a woman to carry out an intentional act of kindness for her community. To date, 62 women, including 14 from Foster Full-Time MBA program, have directly impacted 271 individuals across 7 countries and 14 states.  They’ve expressed how this experience motivated them to see the needs of those around them, spread kindness, and use their voice to better humanity. Currently, I am over half-way through this 8-year project and one professional bucket list item is to see it through to completion and reach 100 women in April 2027.

2) Long-term, another aspiration is to be a university professor, maintain my dedication to people development but shifting my focus from employees to students. Over the years, I have actively engaged with numerous undergraduate business students, providing them with support for interview preparation and career guidance. In February 2023, I had the opportunity to co-lead a workshop for 39 undergraduates as part of the Foster Leadership Academy. In March 2024, I guest lectured at Biola University, sharing my career journey, and leading a case. My desire to mentor and support students is deeply rooted in the profound impact that several professors had on my own life. I hope to be a worker of hope for future generations.

What made Kristen such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“Kristen infuses the Foster community with a values-driven and balanced approach to navigating work and life. She brings an even-keeled perspective to careers, encouraging her fellow classmates to reflect, practice mindfulness, and examine their attitudes toward work and life. Kristen co-created a workshop for the Foster Leadership Academy to help students see that there are multiple paths to career success. She initiated a “Design Your Life” workshop that helps students envision possible career futures and she works as a Leadership Fellow – always making time to coach and support her peers, even as a mother with two small children.

Kristen embodies the best of women leaders. She is spearheading We The Women  as part of a Women in Business event to empower women to develop their narrative and share it with a broader audience. Kristen will be describing in a TED-like talk how her personal life story has impacted both her career journey and the type of person she is and answer the question, “So, what would you tell your younger self?”

Kristen demonstrates strong inclusive leadership as an MBA lead with the Consortium, a non-profit with a mission to build a diverse MBA pipeline and reduce equity gaps in the job search process. She truly embodies Foster’s values – working together to better humanity.”

Colette Vogel, Ed.D.
Director, MBA Mentor Program and Senior Associate Director for Talent
Advisor to Women in Business Club, Net Impact

DON’T MISS: MBAS TO WATCH: CLASS OF 2024