Kristyn Long

Originally from Texas, Kristyn Long moved to the Pacific Northwest as an infant. Her love for the area evolved during her childhood growing up in University Place. But it was after years of building a successful career, marriage and family that her pathway to combining her skills and passion as a leadership volunteer with KiDiMu, the Kids Discovery Museum on Bainbridge Island, became clear.

During college at a small, private school in British Columbia, Long developed an interest in banking. Following graduation, she worked as a teller for Wells Fargo, assuming positions in Tacoma, Federal Way and Auburn. She made the segue from retail banking management to the commercial real estate side of the operation at the bank, landing in its Commercial Real Estate Group’s office in downtown Seattle. There, as fate decreed, she met her current husband.

“After 12 years in banking, I accepted a position with a local developer, Investco, to organize and streamline their operations. However, when our son was born two years later, I decided to leave the workforce to focus on family,” she explains.

Long speaks openly about her personal battles during that period. “That transition was challenging, especially as I navigated postpartum depression while adjusting to motherhood,” she says.

But it also proved to be a driving force in the family’s next big step. “For seven years, my husband and I would sail from Seattle to Bainbridge Island on the weekends, often saying, ‘If we start a family, we should move here,'” she describes. In the spring of 2018, they made that dream a reality, moving to the island with their young family, a 2-year-old son and a 10-month-old daughter.

Once settled on the island, Long credits KiDiMu for becoming a key resource, sanctuary and a personal focus for her abundant passion and interest in childhood education and growth.

“It was the first place I ventured solo with both kids after moving,” she says. “It became a cornerstone of our lives — where I met some of my first friends on the island, enrolled my kids in their first summer camps and found a space to bond with my children.”

As Long describes it, “KiDiMu wasn’t just a resource; it was a building block for our family as we became part of the community. Establishing connections as a parent of young children can be daunting, but the museum made it easier. Nearly every parent I meet here shares a similar story: KiDiMu was their go-to spot to connect with others and establish roots. The museum is not only a place for children’s growth and development, but also a hub for family support and community building. That is some of the magic of the museum.”

Top KiDiMu staffers Serena Johnson and Lisa Putnam are effusive in their praise for Long’s efforts and passion as a leadership volunteer, sending this combined written statement of their admiration and appreciation: “Kristyn has been an irreplaceable force in the success of the Kids Discovery Museum. Her talent and passion have transformed our membership systems, strengthened our relationships with donors and the community and provided vital support to our staff. Without her, we would not be able to offer the educational, hands-on learning experiences and welcoming environment that families, both near and far, have come to cherish. She brings a positive attitude and a ‘we will figure it out’ mindset, no matter the challenge. Her optimism and solution-oriented approach make her an invaluable asset to our team.”

Why KiDiMu

Inspired by the impact KiDiMu had on my family, I became deeply involved. I wanted my children to see the importance of giving back, so I started volunteering. KiDiMu is a nonprofit I wholeheartedly believe in — it met needs I didn’t even realize I had during a pivotal time in my life. Through this experience, I’ve learned that nonprofits thrive on active and engaged volunteers. Once you see their impact firsthand, it’s impossible to look away.

The importance of the mission

The museum is not only a place for children’s growth and development but also a hub for family support and community building. That is some of the magic of the museum. We’re fortunate to have such a vibrant resource like KiDiMu on Bainbridge Island.

The best part of the role

Connecting people and ideas, while continuing to foster community. Collaboration with the museum staff is one of my favorite aspects of being involved at KiDiMu. The synergy that comes from working together toward a shared mission is inspiring. What drives me most is knowing that the work we do makes a difference — not just for my kids, but for all the kids in our community.

Biggest challenge

Not having enough hours in the day. Thankfully, we have an incredibly talented and dedicated team who strives to make every encounter meaningful, whether it’s inside the museum or out in the community. Volunteers, however, remain a pressing need — not just for KiDiMu, but for nonprofits everywhere. If everyone could give even a small amount of their time or talents to a nonprofit, it could truly change the world.

Funding is another significant challenge. Like many nonprofits, we rely on grants and donations, which can be unpredictable and often fall short of covering all expenses. Despite these challenges, the dedication and creativity of our team never cease to amaze me. Recently, we closed the museum for a week to deep clean, refresh and create new exhibits. By harnessing the creativity and passion of staff and volunteers, we transformed existing exhibits into brand-new experiences. It’s incredible what happens when you gather passionate people in a room and invite them to approach a task with childlike wonder.

Biggest compliment

Being asked to share my story for this article by the museum’s executive staff team. It’s a reminder of how deeply meaningful this work is.

Things I can’t live without

I find joy in music, books, people and candles. Spending time with friends and family fills my bucket, even if it’s not always the most relaxing. Whether it’s sharing laughs with friends or watching movies with my family, those moments recharge me.

Ways to relax

I love painting and creating, which is how I initially got involved with the museum.

Hobbies or interests outside of work hours

A few years ago, I joined the auction committee, and it became a wonderful creative outlet that allowed me to use my talents while giving back. I was able to combine creativity and volunteering, turning my passions into meaningful contributions. That’s what makes volunteering so rewarding — when you’re doing something you love or are passionate about, it doesn’t feel like work.