Kirsten became a referee in 1999 and has served for numerous years as a clinician and as part of the senior staff for the Julian Wolf National Referee Training School (Referee College). In addition to being the Chief Referee for a variety of regattas at all levels, she was the Chief Referee for the 2019 NCAA Women's Rowing Championships and would have served in that capacity again in 2020. She is a former collegiate and masters rower, as well as a former masters coach having completed the USRowing Coaching Education (old Level 3).  Kirsten attained her World Rowing Umpire's license in 2009 and has officiated at the Youth Olympic Games and the Under-23 World Championships.  She lives in Framingham, Massachusetts with her husband Howard (also a referee and the NE regional referee coordinator) where she works as a mechanical engineer and software development consultant.