“I Solve Problems”
Kristin Draper is a seasoned executive and board member with over 40 years of distinguished experience in business operations, manufacturing, and executive leadership. As the President of Draper Knitting Company, Kristin’s career has been shaped by her deep commitment to problem solving, organizational agility, and an authentic approach to people-centered leadership. Her guiding principle—“I solve problems”—has not only shaped her reputation as a fixer and mentor, but has also distinguished her as a sought-after collaborator on private boards and advisory roles.
Kristin’s leadership journey is rooted in the fabric of American industry. As a third-generation leader in a family-run enterprise, she rose through the ranks of Draper Knitting, learning firsthand the complexities of manufacturing, supply chain management, workforce development, and customer relationships. Under her stewardship, the company expanded its footprint in innovative textiles, fostering partnerships across diverse sectors, from defense to consumer goods. Kristin became known for her keen ability to see opportunity where others saw obstacles—crafting creative, often unconventional, solutions that prioritized sustainability, customer satisfaction, and team well-being.
A defining trait of Kristin’s leadership style is her visionary mindset. She sees beyond the conventional metrics of performance, opting instead to measure success by the resilience of her teams, the loyalty of her customers, and the long-term impact of her business decisions. She is particularly passionate about circularity—an area in which she has shared her insights through public speaking engagements. Kristin has spoken on the intersection of textile and sustainable innovation, helping her audiences understand how legacy manufacturing can thrive in a modern, eco-conscious economy.
Kristin’s talents extend well beyond operations and sustainability. She is known as a mentor’s mentor, regularly guiding up-and-coming professionals on how to navigate challenges, build consensus, and see “outside the box.” Her capacity to remain grounded while offering bold, future-forward ideas is a rare and valuable trait that translates powerfully in the boardroom. Her experience has helped companies develop products, scale operations, rethink customer engagement strategies, and improve governance—without compromising the human element that makes businesses thrive.
While Kristin is a seasoned executive, she is also deeply sociable, grounded by personal relationships, and a believer in the power of collaboration. Her ability to connect across industries, roles, and personalities has made her an effective leader on the boards she currently serves—including three private companies and CABI. She brings not just insight, but emotional intelligence to every strategic conversation. She understands the balance between financial goals and cultural values, and she excels in environments where trust, transparency, and shared purpose drive outcomes.
Kristin’s strategic vision is not bound by industry limitations. She is open to working with organizations of all sizes, revenue models, and stages of growth—excluding only the IT sector, which does not align with her focus. Whether contributing to a startup navigating scaling challenges or advising a mature enterprise on succession planning or market repositioning, Kristin brings the same depth of curiosity, care, and intellectual rigor to each endeavor.
In addition to her board work, Kristin remains active in industry organizations, including the American Brush Manufacturing Association, where she continues to engage with manufacturing professionals nationwide. Her work here exemplifies her commitment to sustaining American manufacturing excellence while also being a conduit for change.
Though Kristin has no formal international exposure or multilingual fluency, her insights are universally relevant. Her wisdom stems not from global travel but from decades of lived leadership experience in complex, evolving environments. She is adaptable, quick to learn, and consistently attentive to context—whether it’s a community-based workforce or a global customer base.
Her personal interests reveal another side of her character: Kristin enjoys the beach, golf, home-improvement, and time with friends. These hobbies ground her and reflect a life lived with balance—where hard work is matched by joy, connection, and a deep appreciation for the present.
Kristin’s decision to focus on board opportunities is a natural evolution of her career. As she approaches retirement from daily executive roles, she seeks a steady income source that allows her to continue contributing meaningfully to companies and causes she believes in. With her extensive experience, solution-oriented mindset, and collaborative spirit, she is exceptionally qualified to provide strategic insight, foster team cohesion, and deliver real value to any board she joins.
Character:
Kristin embodies integrity, humility, and a deep sense of responsibility. Her approachable demeanor and steady hand inspire trust among peers, employees, and board members alike.
Knowledge:
With 40 years of hands-on experience in leadership and manufacturing, Kristin’s wisdom is both hard-earned and practical. She brings subject matter expertise across operational strategy, problem solving, and sustainability initiatives.
Strategic:
Kristin sees beyond the surface of problems to identify underlying patterns, long-term risks, and innovative opportunities. Her ability to pivot and plan for the future makes her an invaluable asset in high-stakes decision-making environments.
Communication:
Kristin is a clear, authentic communicator with a gift for connecting people and ideas. Her talent for public speaking and interpersonal dynamics ensures that her message resonates—whether addressing a board, team, or industry audience.
