Amanda G. Altman Named to Replace Retiring CEO Claudia Kitchens at Kristi House

The Board of Directors announced that Amanda G. Altman has been selected to lead Kristi House as its new CEO. She will replace Claudia Kitchens who recently announced her retirement after a successful four years of managing and growing Kristi House, the nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center for Miami-Dade County.

Altman is an attorney by profession with a passion for community work. She has led major Miami organizations devoted to serving vulnerable populations. She served as the President of the 1,000-member Junior League of Miami two years ago, and Chaired the Annual Ball this past March for the Red Cross of Greater Miami and the Keys, where she is a board member.

In her volunteer leadership roles, Altman fundraised, advocated and managed politically charged community crises. As an attorney, most recently as Shareholder at Fowler White Burnett, PA, she defended professionals in medical malpractice cases, primarily in federal court. She also spent four years earlier in her legal career as Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida.

“We are thrilled to have Amanda coming on board to Kristi House. Her combination of community work and strong foundation in law make her ideally suited for this challenging role,” Board President Kara Zeder Rosen said.

Kitchens will provide consultation services to ensure a smooth transition over the next several months, nevertheless, Altman will have big shoes to fill. Kitchens joined Kristi House in March 2015 and spearheaded tremendous growth, including the addition of two satellite offices in southern-most Miami-Dade where services were so lacking, and expanded space for both of the busy offices in Palmetto Bay and Miami Gardens. Expansion of education and the capacity of Kristi House’s mental health unit – now 17 therapists strong – to treat many types of childhood trauma were also accomplishments under her leadership.

“Claudia has made Kristi House stronger than ever in this community, at a time when Kristi House services are perhaps more important than ever,” Zeder Rosen said. “Board and staff are grateful for her leadership and devotion. She will be missed, but her initiatives will continue.”