PA Outdoor Writers Association Names Kristen Zaidi Executive Director

On January 15, the PA Outdoor Writers Association announced Kristen Zaidi will serve as the organization's next Executive Director.

Kristen, who lives in Westfield in the northwestern corner of Tioga County, assumed her new duties effective January 1, 2026. 

Kristen originally hailed from New Jersey, where she graduated from Thomas Edison State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences in 2019 and a Paralegal Professional Certificate from Brookdale Community College in 2020.

Early in her career, Kristen worked in the horseracing industry, spending her 20s and early 30s traveling the country training racehorses. 

She then transitioned to working for the Thoroughbred Daily News as their advertising assistant and director of distribution. In this position, she designed ads, helped manage their website, and coordinated the printing and distribution of the newsletter for all North American events.

Since moving to northcentral PA with her husband, Kristen has worked remotely since 2021. 

She remained with the Thoroughbred Daily News until May 2025, but expanded her interests to include: working as a remote part-time administrative assistant for Mowrey Realty Group in Muncy, elected councilperson for Westfield Borough Council (she had to give up her position after 18-months when they moved outside the borough), serving as the auditor for Westfield Township, and she is the proud founder of Westfield Community Arts, a nonprofit she started in 2022 to promote art within the community and offer weekly art classes. 

Kristen was the driving force in organizing and fundraising for a large public mural now prominently on display in Westfield.

In 2025, Kristen completed two advanced degrees from PennWest Clarion (formerly Clarion University of Pennsylvania). She attained a Master of Library Science and a Master of Legal Studies.

Her diverse work history, coupled with her education and experience working with nonprofit organizations make her uniquely qualified to serve as our new Executive Director. 

Kristen learned of the Executive Director vacancy from POWA Board Chair, Lilace Guignard, since they work together as volunteers for nonprofit organizations in Tioga County.

In the upcoming days, we will be transitioning the official POWA mailing address to P.O. Box 91, Westfield, PA 16950. 

Kristen can be contacted by sending email to: kzaidi@paoutdoorwriters.com or by calling 732-839-5478. 

Visit the PA Outdoor Writers Association website to learn more about their initiatives and upcoming events.

[Posted: January 15, 2026]  PA Environment Digest