Kristen Torres, MSW

Kristen grew up in Central Mississippi and earned her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Mississippi College, followed by a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of Alabama, where she was both a HRSA grant recipient and selected for a competitive policy fellowship in Washington, D.C.

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With over a decade of experience in public policy, Kristen has built a career at the intersection of research, advocacy, and legislative strategy. She currently serves as the founder of Torres Consulting, LLC, where she leads federal advocacy campaigns that have elevated the visibility of nonprofit organizations, philanthropic funders, and coalitions on Capitol Hill. Her work has included drafting policy briefs, building bipartisan coalitions, and brokering relationships that connect clients directly with decision-makers in Congress and federal agencies.

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Previously, Kristen was a Senior Legislative Assistant in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she advised on immigration, labor protections, voting rights, Social Security, and the federal appropriations process. In that role, she successfully advanced legislation, secured community project funding, and led initiatives to expand healthcare equity, mental health and public safety, and worker protections. Earlier, as Senior Policy Director at First Focus Campaign for Children, she managed a national coalition of more than 50 state and local advocacy organizations, led campaigns that secured Medicaid access for youth formerly in foster care, and organized high-profile events to elevate child welfare and immigration issues.

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Across these roles, Kristen has demonstrated a pragmatic approach to policymaking, marked by her ability to analyze complex legislation, draft effective policy, and build bipartisan support. She is also a skilled communicator, with experience developing succinct policy statements, coalition letters, and advocacy materials that move issues forward.

Outside of her professional work, Kristen is the proud mother of two teenagers and brings the perspective of a single working co-parent. This lived experience deepens her commitment to making public policy accessible and ensuring that communities most affected by federal decisions have a seat at the table. For her, advocacy is not only about influencing laws but about opening doors so others can actively participate in shaping them