Kristen Willard

Kristen Willard, MS, is a nonprofit leader and dedicated patient advocate with more than 20 years of experience in health research, project management, and patient education. She serves as the Executive Director of We CU, the only U.S. patient advocacy organization focused exclusively on supporting individuals living with chronic hives. She also oversees global education efforts for GAAPP, an international umbrella organization representing nearly 200 airways and immunology patient groups across six continents.

Before stepping into these roles, Ms. Willard held leadership positions in education, care delivery, and business relations at the COPD Foundation. She holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology from Florida State University and lives in Washington, DC. As someone who experienced acute hives in her 20s and 30s, which evolved into chronic hives in her 40s, she is now in remission in her 50s and brings deep personal understanding and empathy to her advocacy. Her lived experience reinforces her commitment to helping others feel informed, supported, and empowered throughout their CU journey.