News and Knowledge

Kristen Essex joined OAR at the beginning of October as business manager. She looks forward to working with OAR in “most aspects of the day-to-day management of the organization,” including helping out with grant writing and other fundraising initiatives. She is already at work on ideas for the annual campaign.

Essex was previously the publisher and director of sales and marketing for the Alexandria Times, a local newspaper in Northern Virginia. She was looking for a job in the nonprofit sector and the position with OAR looked like a great fit for her career goals. “I love the opportunity to work with an organization that helps in so many ways and provides these programs at no cost. My friend has a son on the autism spectrum. Over the years, I’ve watched her work tirelessly with her son and his teachers and caregivers to find the best course for him. She has really shown me how having a child on the autism spectrum can be challenging, but extremely rewarding at the same time.”

Still settling in, she notes that the transition into her new job has been made much easier by the atmosphere and her coworkers. “I love learning more about what OAR does and hearing examples of how OAR’s programs have helped so many people.”

OAR executive director, Mike Maloney, sees Essex and her position as vital to OAR’s continued growth and success. “OAR has grown to the point where it needs a day-to-day business manager, he said. “Kristen brings the right combination of experience, interest, and enthusiasm to OAR. In just a month’s time, I can already see her positive impact.”