Kristen Edgreen Kaufman is a leading expert in international public private partnerships, foreign policy and subnational diplomacy with experience spanning not-for-profit, private and government sectors. She possesses a nuanced understanding of the nexus of strategic planning and commerce and a track record launching programs with global thought leaders to further efforts in various arenas (green transition, public safety, women’s initiatives, smart cities) that promote economic growth and improve quality of life.

Kaufman is a trustee at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, a contributor for
Forbes, and previously served as the Deputy Commissioner of Public Private Partnerships and Economic Development in the NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, where she helmed the global exchange of best practices with other major cities around the world and served as the keynote speaker at diplomatic and international events, conferences, panels, podcasts, universities and international delegation visits. She also led all trade and investment initiatives with the Americas and Europe and was the key relationship manager for European Consulates.

In 2024, Kaufman was accepted into the Fulbright Specialist Program for a focus in city diplomacy where she will work with Helsinki, Finland; and the Department of Defense (DoD) selected her as one of 40 participants in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference, the oldest public liaison program in the DoD for civilian leaders.

Kaufman began her career with Merrill Lynch and Lazard Asset Management and has previously served on the board of Teach for America. She holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and is a lifetime member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a sustaining member of the Leadership Now Project and serves on the board of directors for the Network 20/20 Foreign Policy Group. Her work has been published in Newsweek and Cities Speak.