Kirsten Blair

Prior to NFI, Kirsten served as Executive Director of Princeton Project 55, a multi-generational not-for-profit organization mobilizing civic engagement. In addition, Kirsten managed after-school academic programs for K-8th graders in public schools, and facilitated charter school development.   Kirsten also served as a consultant with McKinsey & Co., and as an Associate Director of Leadership Gifts for her undergrad alma mater, Princeton University, where she majored in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.  She earned an M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School and an M.P.A. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard.  She and her husband Bill live in Ewing, New Jersey.  

David Brenner

Dave, who joined NFI in 2005, has been working in development and communications for organizations focused on marriage, fatherhood, and child well-being for the past 15 years. His work during this time includes six years with the New York-based Institute for American Values. An attorney, Dave is a member of the Bar in New Jersey, where he practiced primarily in the area of business litigation. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science at Drew University and his Juris Doctor from Rutgers University Law School. He lives in northern Virginia with his wife and three sons and is active in coaching local basketball and flag football. He and his family are also active participants at Potomac Hills Presbyterian Church in Leesburg.   

Thomas Patras

Before joining National Fatherhood Initiative, Tom Patras served as Director of Development for Helping Up Mission, a non-profit providing a residential recovery program, emergency shelter and transitional housing for men battling drug addiction and homelessness.   Before transitioning to the non-profit sector, Tom spent seven years in the staffing industry.  Tom’s passion for promoting involved, responsible and committed fatherhood comes from his personal experience with an absent father (who is now one of his best friends), and his work at Helping Up Mission, where he daily witnessed the devastating impact of father absence.  As Director of Corporate Relations, Tom identifies, develops and manages strategic alliances with companies and corporate foundations.  Tom holds his B.A. in Communication from Millikin University.  He lives in New Market, Maryland with his wife and three children.

Kristy Choby

Prior to joining the National Fatherhood Initiative, Kristy worked for Infinity Concept, a marketing and consulting firm, as an Account Executive where she offered clients a clear understanding of the dynamics of business administration. She received her B.A. from Grove City College in Psychology with minors in Business and Religion. Her role at the National Fatherhood Initiative is to assist in the operation of NFI's research-related activities and to collect and analyze data related to tracking NFI's success in achieving its strategic and tactical objectives. Kristy, her husband, Michael, and their daughter, Julia, live in Pittsburgh, PA.