Dr. Kirsten Persley is an educator, organizational and civic leader, and author. In 2026, Dr. Persley received a gubernatorial appointment to serve as a commissioner for the Missouri Public Charter School Commission. She brings more than a decade of experience in educational leadership, nonprofit and ministry leadership, and organizational development.

Dr. Persley is the Founder and CEO of a strategic advising firm. As a proponent of school choice, she also leads a classical Christian startup school in the urban core of Kansas City, Missouri. She has held leadership roles in education and nonprofit organizations, including serving as an Associate Partner at Relay Graduate School of Education, where she coached and trained school and district leaders nationwide to strengthen student and staff culture and improve educational outcomes.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Persley spent five years as a founding principal, launching two school models and leading teams of educators and administrators. She has also led community-based initiatives focused on expanding opportunities for students through partnerships with businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Dr. Persley earned her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Kansas, with research focused on effective leadership practices. She was named a Kansas City Business Journal NextGen Leader in 2021 and has been featured as a speaker at SXSW and the Kansas City Business Journal Women’s Summit. She is also actively engaged in civic and community leadership throughout Kansas City, and is actively involved in her church