Kristi Anderson

Director of Programs and Research

Kristi Anderson is a philanthropic leader with more than a decade of experience working across both community and family foundations, deploying capital and supporting programs driven by place-centered approaches to systems-level impact. Her work is grounded in principles of participatory and trust-based philanthropy, with a deep commitment to building relationships, balancing power, and centering lived experience in strategy and practice.

Kristi currently serves as Director of Programs and Research at the Wisconsin Philanthropy Network (WPN), where she leads learning, research, and network engagement strategies that help philanthropic organizations across the state respond to emerging trends, align around shared values, and deepen impact. Her work at WPN includes curating programming that reflects the evolving needs of the field, stewarding strategic partnerships, and designing experiences that promote collaboration and innovation within the sector.

Before joining WPN, Kristi served as an Associate Program Officer with the Walton Family Foundation, where she supported grantee partners focused on elevating parent leadership and trusted community voices in education. She began her philanthropic career with Incourage Community Foundation, leading a resident-driven redevelopment process for the Tribune Building in Wisconsin Rapids and later consulting with the foundation to embed grassroots organizing and authentic engagement practices into long-term strategy. In addition to her staff roles, Kristi has worked as an independent consultant to foundations and nonprofits, advising on community-centered grantmaking strategies, power-building approaches, and place-based investment efforts.

Kristi holds a Master of Science in Human Ecology – Civil Society and Community Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Leadership Studies from St. Norbert College. She currently serves on the Board of Camp Hope for Kids, a weekend camp for kids and families grieving the death of a loved one. A proud Central Wisconsin native, Kristi now lives in Madison with her family and is guided by a deep belief in the strength of communities and the power of working together toward a more just and connected future.