The YWCA Santa Monica/Westside honored Kristina Andresen, at it’s Annual Women of the Year Dinner held in March of 2004.
Kristina Andresen, AIA, architect and entrepreneur, empowers women and works toward diversity by example. Kristina graduated from Ball State University School of Architecture in Indiana in 1969, with a Bachelor of Architecture and a BS in Environmental Design. All of her fellow graduates were men. Nevertheless, Kristina was determined to enter the then mostly male-dominated field of architecture and joined an architectural firm specialing in the design and rehabilitation of historic apartment buildings for low-income inner city residents in Indianapolis.
Today, Kristina serves on the Board of Upward Bound House, which provides transitional housing for homeless children and their parents. Through the Program Committee, she works with children and their parents to help them graduate from the program and go on to successful lives in our community. As Chair of the Santa Monica Rotary Literacy Committee, Kristina serves as a role model to first and second grade girls by reading to them in their classrooms and by introducing them to the field of architecture. Through this "Rotary Reads" program, Kristina and other committee members raise money to buy the children books for schools as well as for the Rotary John Adams Middle School Boys and Girls Club of Santa Monica.
Kristina recently completed her term as President of the Board of Trustees of the Santa Monica Methodist Church. As a continuing trustee, she encourages young women to succeed and to attain leadership roles in their community. Kristina also serves on the Executive Board of the Santa Monica College of Associates on the Executive Board of the Westside Economic Collaborative; as a volunteer Building Commissioner for the City of Santa Monica; on the Advisory Board of the Center for Healthy Aging and as en active member of the Government Affairs Committee of the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce.
Kristina's dedication to making the world a better place to live in is reflected in her work on behalf of others.
(Webmaster's comment: 'Kris, our Rotary Club is lucky to have a member like you!")