It is with tremendous gratitude and admiration that I share a milestone worth celebrating , Kristen “Kinch” Kinchla has officially completed her first year as our Data and Research Associate at the Maine Children’s Alliance. From the moment Kinch joined our team, she has brought not only skill and precision to our data and research work, but also heart, humor, and a deep commitment to equity and community-driven change.  

 

Over the past year, Kinch has been the quiet engine behind many of MCA’s most visible and impactful projects. Most notably, she led the production of the 2024 KIDS COUNT Data Book , a publication that continues to ground policy and programmatic discussions in solid data and community voice. Her attention to detail and commitment to transparency ensured the integrity of every data point, while her thoughtful facilitation of information sessions across the state helped translate the data into tools for action. Whether briefing policymakers or walking advocates through indicators, Kinch brings clarity, approachability, and passion to her work.  

 

Kinch’s contributions don’t stop at the data book . She has worked collaboratively with partners across the state to expand our understanding of community-level data needs, supporting organizations in identifying data needs which will support data-informed decisions that reflect the lived experiences of children and families. Her technical expertise has strengthened the backbone of several coalitions and initiatives, including her active participation in the Early Childhood Coalition, where she brings both data and heart to conversations about young children’s wellbeing.  

 

In the realm of maternal and child health, Kinch has become a vital voice and partner. She serves on the PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) Steering Committee, lending her perspective on data collection methods that center equity and maternal experience. Her involvement in the Perinatal Care workgroup and the Doula Access Leadership Team exemplifies her holistic approach to maternal health and her dedication to centering the voices of birthing people in data and systems change.  

Kinch also serves as the staff representative on MCA’s Race Equity Taskforce, where her voice has been critical in helping us examine how our internal practices and external strategies can align more fully with our values. She is thoughtful, accountable, and brave in these conversations , helping us move beyond data for data’s sake, and toward justice, belonging, and collective care.  

 

In just one year, Kinch has helped shape not only the work we produce but the culture we’re building at MCA. She embodies what it means to use data as a tool for liberation .    

 

We are lucky to have Kinch on this journey with us, and even luckier to know that this is only the beginning. Please join me in celebrating her outstanding first year, and in looking forward to all the brilliance still to come.    

 

Ashleigh Barker, Executive Director, Maine Children’s Alliance