2015 Cap and Gown Keynote Speaker

Kristie O’Brien received her B.A. in International Relations from Trinity Washington University, a Certificate in International Studies from The Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies, DC and her Juris Doctorate from Bond University Law School, Australia. Kristie has also participated in educational exchanges to Thailand and the Netherlands.

Kristie is a lawyer with a background in environmental, intellectual property, entertainment and international criminal law. Her legal experiences have included assisting on a groundbreaking case before the United States Supreme Court and monitoring war crimes trials before the International Criminal Court and the Special Court for Sierra Leone in The Hague, Netherlands. She is a member of the New York Bar and American Bar Association.

Kristie was a 2014 candidate for the Arizona State Senate and currently serves as Vice-Chairwoman of the Arizona Democratic Party.

Kristie also serves as Western Regional Director on the Alumnae Board of Trinity College, Trinity University, DC.

Kristie’s community interests include engaging young voters; working to achieve economic and educational equality; and highlighting the prevention of domestic violence, abuse and the trafficking of women and children. Kristie is involved in a number of organizations promoting women leadership and reaching parity in American government.