Kirsten Detrick

“I have been privileged to work with Kirsten Detrick since August 2017 in several of her leadership roles at the American International School of Vienna (AISV) including Chairperson of the school’s Executive Board, Chair of the Director’s Search Committee and Executive Board representative to the school’s Strategic Planning Steering Committee. I have been fortunate to work closely with Kirsten and to spend a great deal of time with her, which afforded me the unique opportunity to observe and learn from her leadership style. Nowhere was this style more evident or impactful than during Kirsten’s tenure as Chairperson of the Executive Board. Her leadership and vision made a significant impact on the work of the Executive Board and thus, on the school. Kirsten is decisive and energetic and under her guidance the Executive Board worked diligently and collaboratively to improve their governance practice, enhancing their individual and collective capabilities. Kirsten is an intentional leader who understands and clearly articulates the roles and responsibilities of a governing board. She is also a ‘systems thinker’ who has an ability to read an organization, see potential issues early, and is supportive of and adept at change management. She worked tirelessly to establish an atmosphere of trust and actively supported the Executive Board in focusing their efforts on the modes of governance that would yield the most value to the school. Under her guidance, the Executive Board matured and leveraged its impact in critical areas including improved administration and board partnership, long-term strategic focus, risk assessment and management, and bold governance proposals. I saw Kirsten in action at numerous Board retreats and strategy sessions and witnessed how she led this Board in a way that helped it embrace bold objectives, align values and vision, and deliver on the promise of advancing this school's mission for the benefit of future students and families. These achievements alone would be enough to cement Kirsten’s legacy as Chairperson of the Executive Board at AISV, however I would be remiss if I did not commend Kirsten on her leadership of the Director’s Search Committee. Kirsten’s coupled her clear understanding of the immediate and long-term needs of AISV with a systemic approach to the search that resulted in the hiring of a new Director, who I am confident will lead AISV from strength to strength in the next decade. Hiring, supporting and evaluating a school’s leader is one of the most important roles of a governing board and in this area Kirsten simply excels. I believe this hire will be her most important and lasting legacy to AISV. I would highly recommend Kirsten as an independent-director of any non-profit organization (or of any for-profit organization for that matter). She is one of the strongest governing leaders with whom I have ever had the pleasure to work. ”

“Kirsten was my boss during my tenure in the Global team of Takeda, while we launched Entyvio globally. She is a true role model in coaching and supporting her employees, never hesitating of helping them to grow. Recognizing the strengths of her team, she is giving the accountability, yet available to step in if needed to ensure success of business and her team. Kirsten is also a great motivator, always demonstrating positivism. This not only uplifts her team, yet facilitates cross-functional collaboration of global teams. These strengths enabled her to be successful in her recent GM role, strengthening the team in Austria and Central Europe. It has always been a pleasure working with her as my former boss and regard her highly as a peer in her new role.”