Kristine Akland is the Northern Rockies Director and Senior Attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, where she leads litigation and policy efforts to protect endangered species, wildlands, and waterways across Montana and Idaho. Her work focuses on defending grizzly bears, bull trout, wolverines, and other imperiled wildlife, as well as challenging large-scale mining and logging projects that threaten critical habitat.

In addition to her legal career, Kristine is the co-founder of Ascend Sports Medicine, a direct primary care and sports medicine clinic in Missoula that she and her husband launched to provide innovative, patient-centered healthcare for athletes and active people of all ages. She oversees business strategy, operations, and marketing—combining her entrepreneurial drive with her commitment to community wellness.

Kristine is also a member of the leadership committee for the Athena Pack Women’s Conference, where she brings her passion for collaboration, mentorship, and women’s leadership to shaping an event that uplifts and connects women across Montana.

When she’s not in court or building Ascend, Kristine can be found trail running, mountain biking, or exploring Montana’s wild places with her husband and two daughters.