Kristen Abernathy is a former elite athlete, entrepreneur, and corporate relationship builder who has spent her career driving growth across the sports, industrial technology, and non-profit sectors. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, she built a standout athletic foundation at Truman High School before launching a highly decorated collegiate softball career. She initially pitched for two seasons at the Division I level for the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) before transferring to East Texas Baptist University (ETBU), where she completed her degree in Communications and English. Following her playing days, she transitioned into leadership from the dugout, serving as a collegiate softball coach at Rockhurst University and then doing private pitching lessons. She now spends her free time coaching softball, flag football and cheering her daughter on in wrestling as well.

Driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Abernathy successfully transitioned her competitive drive into the business world by founding Fastpitch Masters. Serving as the Director of Operations, she built the startup from a baseline concept into one of the largest softball camp companies in the United States. Looking to scale back the rigorous travel of the sports industry, she pivoted into the financial sector, rising through the ranks to manage multiple branches for a regional bank while overseeing local public relations. Her diverse professional trajectory also includes working as a marketing and PR specialist for the high-end matchmaking firm It’s Just Lunch, as well as managing high-volume corporate recruitment and sales during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kristen then moved into a Community relations role at Orange EV, a leading manufacturer of heavy-duty, fully electric Class 8 commercial trucks. Her community involvement opened doors for her to move to Red Tail Academy-on organization that build awareness and opportunity into aviation careers for underserved students in Kansas city, and spend some time as a Development Director.

In her private life Kristen is a mom of 3, twin 21 year old boys and a 9 year old girl. She spends most of her free time coaching in the KC Phoenix Softball organization, as well NFL Flag(girlsplayflagfootball division). She is a dedicated member of Vive Culture Church and loves working to bring smiles and love to everyone she interacts with.