Kristen Kellner is a seasoned human resources professional. Her unique background includes experience in training and development with additional expertise in the areas of customer service, training, leadership and organizational development, team effectiveness, group facilitation, and more.
Passionate about collaborative, vibrant, and successful work environments, Kristen has worked in a variety of settings in the retail industry, including 20+ years at L.L. Bean.
“Working with as many people as I have, I’ve learned that you just never know when that one ‘thank you’ that you said, a story that you told, or even a smile or nod you gave made a difference in a person’s life and encouraged him or her to make a change for the better,” Kristen explains.
She earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Maine, Orono and a M. Ed. from the University of Southern Maine. Kristen is certified in several specialty areas: Performance Technologist from the Center for Effective Performance, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (CPP), InsideOut Coaching (InsideOut Development).
Kristen is an active volunteer in her local community, serving as a member on Mid-Coast United Way’s Safe and Healthy Council. She is a hospice volunteer for Lincoln County Healthcare, delivers enrichment workshops for the Patrick Dempsey Center for Cancer Hope & Healing, and she regularly visits with residents at the Highland’s Assisted Living Center in Topsham with her two golden retrievers Jethro and Abbot.
Why did you choose to work in HR?
Working in HR with a focus on learning and development allows me to share my knowledge and skills with others on how each of us can be better communicators, coaches, and leaders. Who doesn’t struggle with self-improvement? Often, the programs I facilitate provide learners with nuggets that they can apply at work and in their home lives too!
What do you like best about your work as an HR Professional?
I love working closely with people and HR is all about the people. I’m really good about naming the fear that comes along with learning and stretching and growing, which is often the biggest obstacle in our way. Once we get past our fears, most of the work gets easier. My personal mission is to make a positive and fun difference in the lives of those I touch—and that’s exactly what I get to do!
What is one takeaway from your HR work experience you’d like to share with others?
Working with as many people as I have, I’ve learned that you just never know when that one “thank you” that you said, a story that you told, or even a smile or nod you gave made a difference in a person’s life and encouraged him or her to make a change for the better.
Tell us a little about yourself.
While I love to travel, I don’t really get the stamps in my passport as often as I like. Each time I travel though, I realize how lucky we are to live in the beautiful State of Maine. While visiting Costa Rica just last September, my newfound friends asked, “What do you like to do on the weekend?” My answer was, “It depends on the season” (of which they only have 1 in Costa Rica). With my husband of 30+ years, we enjoy spending time at our little camp in the woods in Abbot, Maine and picking wild Maine blueberries. In the winter, we love snowmobiling, snowshoeing with our 2 golden retrievers (Jethro & Abbot), and ice fishing. In the fall, it’s all about hunting for my husband and cooking with game—the ultimate organic feast. Finally, in the spring, it’s all about watching the landscape repair itself and come back to life so we can enjoy each season all over again!