Kirsten R. Lewis, M.Ed., received her BA in 1997 with double majors in psychology and chemistry from Washburn University and her M.Ed. in 2003 from Northern Arizona University.

In 2023, Kirsten retired from the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department (MCAPD) after 25 years of service. She remains employed as an adjunct forensic psychology instructor at Glendale Community College, an approved instructor by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc., and co-owner of KSL Research, Training & Consultation, LLC. 

With a background in research and over 27 years of experience in community corrections, Kirsten spearheaded a ground-breaking research study examining secondary traumatic stress in probation officers as a result of working with criminal offenders. Her research was published in the American Journal of Criminal Justice, featured in national journals, and received the 2013 Sam Houston State University Award for outstanding contributions to scholarship in Community Corrections. In addition, Kirsten created a national award-winning employee stress management program at MCAPD that better prepares employees for the emotional challenges of probation work, enhances protective coping strategies, minimizes the cumulative stress associated with longevity, and promotes a work culture that safeguards the welfare of officers. Kirsten conducts a variety of trainings on the topic of traumatic stress and employee wellness with human service professionals around the country and has presented her work at conferences throughout the United States and abroad.