About

Krista Westervelt

During their studies in Peace & Conflict and Gerontology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), Krista was awarded the 2021 University Libraries Undergraduate Research Award for their research on the “Impact of Racial Disparities in Transportation Access on Older Adults in Chatham County (NC).” Krista has presented on integrating Peace & Conflict Studies theory and praxis at the interpersonal, organizational and community levels, both for the Partners in Health and Wholeness Initiative of the North Carolina Council of Churches and as a regular presenter on Managing Conflict in the Workplace for UNCG’s Bryan Graduate Career Center. They presented on “Transforming Family Conflict During End of Life Decision-Making” at “Cultivating Peace: A Symposium for Violence Prevention,” hosted by Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention at Virginia Tech.

In their professional career in the field of Gerontology and Aging Services, Krista has facilitated, moderated, and produced a variety of educational and advocacy-related programs and offerings. They were a featured panelist on “Creating, Fostering, and Maintaining Connections During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond” at the 2020 Meals on Wheels Virtual Conference and a co-facilitator on Senior Support and Care at the “Mental Health and Well-Being During the Pandemic” event hosted by the Institute for Emerging Issues.

In addition to their academic and professional pursuits in Peace & Conflict and Gerontology, Krista is a writer across multiple genres, including creative nonfiction, poetry, and screenplays. Her screenplay GRACELESS achieved “Second Rounder” status in the Drama category of the 2013 Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition. They have graced many a stage (virtual and otherwise) as a writer/performer, including WRITE CLUB Athens, Word Music, and Bynum Front Porch.

Krista is continuing their studies in the Master of Theological Studies program with a concentration in Chaplaincy at Vanderbilt Divinity School in Nashville, Tennessee and provides secular grief support for Nashville’s LGBTQIA+ community through a regular support group and other offerings.