As Principal of Persimmon Consulting, Kirsten Scobie works with individuals, foundations, and socially responsible businesses on their philanthropic strategy. She works on a broad range of issues in rural and urban areas, including local food systems, public education, women’s health, movement building, and community and economic development. Mostly she believes that all of these sectors and opportunities are deeply intertwined and must be seen through a racial justice lens. She had the privilege of working for the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for over 13 years where she managed one of the largest rural philanthropies in the United States while also designing related funds in Canada and Guatemala. Kirsten has worked with nonprofit organizations across the country from Albuquerque and Chicago to rural New Hampshire. Her life experience includes working for a service leadership program in Chicago and working on an organic farm and teaching English as a Second Language in Chile. She holds a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and a bachelor’s from St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Kirsten now lives in northern New Hampshire with her partner and two (nearly grown) children. She has a small flower business that sells retail and wholesale blooms throughout the summer. Kirsten loves to travel, go for long walks, read novels, and have lingering dinners with family and friends.
