As COO & Managing Director, Kristen Hodess serves as a strategic leader at the Pacific Council, translating the organization’s vision into innovative, actionable initiatives that advance the organization’s mission. A principal advisor to the President & CEO, Kristen applies a multidisciplinary approach to problem-solving, overseeing the integration of programs, communications, member engagement, and operations to drive organizational growth. She brings an approach rooted in creativity, curiosity, and a belief that sustainable success is a collective achievement.

Kristen is a collaborative leader with over two decades of experience in strategic ventures, philanthropy, and global policy. Her professional background blends more than a decade of corporate management at Disney and KPMG with fifteen years of non-profit leadership at Barnsdall Arts. She holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management, a Master of Architecture from Yale University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College.

Outside of the office, Kristen is a longtime volunteer at the Hollywood Food Coalition, a devoted yoga student and an amateur flutist. She enjoys exploring the city’s vibrant cultural landscape and finds inspiration in staying deeply connected to the arts.