Kari, daughter of #10231 Schelling and Annie McKinley, was born and raised in Westport, NY. As her brothers, #16231 Arne and #18231 Leif, headed down the road to Dudley every summer, she yearned for a “sister” experience. While that never came to fruition for her as a camper, in 2004, she happily joined the Dudley Hike Hut staff. Her three years in the Hike Hut were an incredible experience, but it was without hesitation she accepted a role as Senior D-head at Kiniya in 2007. She spent the following four years in a number of roles, from D-Head to Tripping Director to working on Leadership Development with the Aides, JLs, and ALs. Earning her Kiwi disc in 2010, Kari reflected on the evolution of Camp Dudley and Kiniya and what an honor it was to be a part of that process. After leaving summer to attend graduate school, she returned as a member of the Kiniya healthcare team. Most recently, Kari was thrilled to serve as the first female Co-Chair of the Dudley Kiniya Alumni Association. 

Kari studied Biology at McGill University. Upon graduating, she moved to Burlington, VT, for several years (clearly, unable to pull herself away from Lake Champlain). From there, she went to graduate school at the Yale University School of Nursing. She now works as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner at Timber Lane Pediatrics in Burlington, VT. Kari loves the relationships she is able to form with the children and families she serves. 

She and her husband, #18952 Joel Cross, enjoy adventuring around Vermont and Upstate New York with their young children, Aksel and Freya. Visits to Kiniya and Dudley are cherished by all. They are lucky to be surrounded by many Dudley and Kiniya pals in the Burlington area. 

Kari is grateful for the many opportunities Dudley and Kiniya have afforded her and views her time on the Board as a way to give back to the community that is such a huge part of who she is.