The Yocum Institute for Arts Education has announced the appointment of Kristin Gehris as its new School & Community Engagement Director.
Gehris brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in communications, community impact, and nonprofit engagement. Most recently, she served as Community Impact Director at United Way of Berks County, where she led multimillion-dollar grant initiatives, coordinated early childhood education programs, and developed partnerships that advanced family and community well-being. She has also held leadership roles with Wilson School District/Wilson Education Foundation, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts, and Sovereign Bank, in addition to serving as Editor-in-Chief of Berks County Living magazine. She began her career in Boston providing public relations counsel to healthcare, nonprofit, and consumer clients.
Throughout her career, Gehris has been recognized for her professional achievements and civic leadership, including being named a Lehigh Valley Business Forty Under 40 honoree, a Greater Reading Chamber Top Rising Star, and a Public Relations Society of America Keystone Award winner. She has also served on numerous boards and committees, including PA 211, Reading Hospital’s Health Equity Community Collaborative, and Greater Reading Young Professionals, where she was Board President.
Her connection to Yocum Institute is a long-standing one: as a child, she participated in programs. She previously served on the Board of Directors and multiple committees, supporting the organization’s mission to make arts education accessible to the community. In her new role, she will strengthen partnerships with schools, families, and community organizations to expand engagement and ensure that the arts remain a vital part of education and community life.
Gehris holds a Master of Organizational Leadership from Alvernia University and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Lehigh University.
A Spring Township resident, she enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and extended family. She finds balance and inspiration through trips to the beach, reading, and practicing yoga.