A graduate of Fort William Collegiate and Confederation College, Thunder Bay has been home to Kristen Oliver for her entire life. She presently works full-time as the Executive Director of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA). She oversees the advocacy and lobbying efforts of NOMA and attributes this role as the main driver to seeking office on the municipal level. In 2004, she was employed as Policy Assistant to the Mayor for the City of Thunder Bay and held this position until 2010. Prior to that, she was a constituency assistant to Lyn McLeod, MPP, Thunder Bay - Atikokan. As a dedicated member of her community, she serves as Chair of the Board of Governors for Confederation College and Vice President of Northwood Hockey League.