Her Story
About Chrisette
Chrisette Klima is a human services professional, musician, lifelong learner, and creative spirit whose life has been shaped by a passion for helping people grow and expressing herself through music.
For more than 13 years, Chrisette has built a career in human services, supporting children, adults, older adults, and individuals with disabilities across residential services, behavioral support, care coordination, leadership, and community-based programming. She currently works within Community Day Services, where she helps individuals strengthen independence, develop life and social skills, explore their communities, and build greater confidence in directing their own lives. At the center of her work is a simple belief: every person deserves to be heard, respected, included, and given opportunities to discover what they are capable of.
Outside of human services, music is one of the most defining parts of Chrisette's identity. She is a singer-songwriter, recording artist, and classically trained violinist with more than two decades of experience. With a musical background spanning R&B, pop, classical music, and other genres, she enjoys creating music that allows her to tell stories, explore emotion, and connect with people in ways that words alone sometimes cannot. Her creativity also influences her professional work, where she enjoys finding engaging and unconventional ways to teach, encourage, and connect with others.
Chrisette believes strongly in continuing to evolve. She earned her Associate of Science in Human Services in June 2026 and is pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Human Services, with plans to complete the program in Spring 2028. Her long-term educational vision includes earning a Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, bringing together her experience in human services with her love of creativity, recreation, and helping people experience fuller, more meaningful lives.
When she isn't working, studying, or making music, Chrisette can often be found at the gym, playing video games, taking nature walks, or simply finding new ways to recharge and enjoy life. She values wellness, curiosity, creativity, humor, and having interests that allow her to step outside of her professional world.
Ultimately, Chrisette does not define herself by one career, talent, or title. She is a helper, artist, advocate, student, musician, and woman who believes growth never truly stops. Whether she is supporting someone in achieving greater independence, writing a song, performing, reaching a new goal in the gym, or walking a quiet trail surrounded by nature, she strives to approach life with purpose, authenticity, and an openness to what comes next.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Chrisette
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, purpose, and a genuine desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Throughout my career in human services, I have learned that growth often comes from being willing to evolve, remain teachable, and continue moving forward even when the path is not always clear.
I also attribute my success to my ability to connect with people. Whether I am supporting individuals with disabilities, collaborating with professionals, teaching life skills, or taking on leadership responsibilities, I believe people thrive when they feel respected, heard, and empowered. That belief has shaped the professional I have become.
Education has also become an important part of my journey. Completing my associate’s degree while continuing to work in the field reminded me that there is always another level of growth available. As I continue toward my bachelor’s degree and ultimately a master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, I am intentionally building upon more than a decade of hands-on experience.
Most importantly, I attribute my success to never allowing where I am today to limit where I believe I can go tomorrow. I am proud of what I have accomplished, but I remain excited about how much more there is for me to learn, contribute, and become.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The greatest piece of advice that I've received is to not stop and keep pushing forward. The possibilities are endless for me, with my education and skills. Additionally, I was told to not dim my light. I will keep shining as bright as I possibly can, and to keep inspiring others to succeed and thrive.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering human services is to never underestimate the value of starting where you are. Every position has something to teach you. Some of my greatest professional lessons came from working directly alongside the people I served, long before I had degrees or envisioned where my career would ultimately take me.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I see in human services is the gap that can exist between professional experience and educational requirements. I have more than a decade of experience in the field and have worked across direct support, behavioral services, residential leadership, and care coordination. I have also earned my associate’s degree in Human Services. Yet, like many experienced professionals, I have encountered a point where an associate’s degree can become an educational ceiling, with many advancement opportunities requiring a bachelor’s degree regardless of the depth of practical experience a candidate brings.
At the same time, I view this challenge as an opportunity. It is one of the reasons I am continuing toward my bachelor’s degree in Human Services and ultimately plan to pursue a master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation. I believe the strongest professionals are developed when education and lived professional experience complement one another, rather than when one is treated as a substitute for the other.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my professional life, those values shape the way I support others. I believe human services should never simply be about doing things for people. It should be about working with people, recognizing their strengths, honoring their choices, and helping create opportunities for greater independence and meaningful participation in their own lives.
Personally, I value continuous growth and the courage to pursue more than one passion. My journey has taught me that I do not have to choose between being a human services professional, an advocate, a student, and a creative artist. Each part of who I am strengthens the others.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.