Kirsten Gettys Downs is the Director of Systemic Reform at the Maryland Office of the Public Defender, where she coordinates initiatives aimed at advancing equitable justice. She collaborates with community stakeholders and state agencies to implement systemic improvements that align with the organization’s mission. Previously, she was the Executive Director of the Homeless Persons Representation Project, focusing on combating homelessness through legal services and advocacy. From 2017 to 2022, she served as the District Public Defender for Baltimore City, enhancing client representation and fostering community partnerships.

Kirsten is an active member of various professional and community organizations. Her professional affiliations include the Maryland State Bar Association, the Alliance of Black Women Attorneys, and the National Association of Public Defenders. Currently, she serves as Vice Chair of the Monumental City Bar Foundation. Additionally, she has participated in key committees, such as the Public Interest Committee of the Maryland State Bar Association and the Collaborative Planning Implementation Committee for the Baltimore Consent Decree, which focuses on behavioral health issues.

Kirsten graduated from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall law school after earning her undergraduate degree at the University of Pennsylvania.