Kristina Koivisto

Kristina Koivisto is a licensed Red Seal hairstylist based in Calgary, Alberta, where she lives with two of her three sons. She has spent the past 18 years as a single mother and caregiver raising three boys impacted by disability, gaining extensive lived experience navigating complex support systems.

Through this system navigation, Kristina learned that her formal education was secondary to accessing the supports required to raise children with complex needs. It was this experience that led to the beginning of her advocacy, and over the past 12 years she has become known as a system advocate in Alberta, engaging politically on issues impacting families and individuals with disabilities.

Her eldest son, Mason, who is profoundly impacted by autism, epilepsy, and developmental delays, became the catalyst for her advocacy. Over time, she focused on securing the services necessary to ensure stability and quality of life, while her passion for the art of hair design remained a constant that allowed her to continue forward.

When Mason transitioned into adulthood in 2021, she began intentionally shaping his adult life, using #Teammason2021™ as a platform to support inclusion, where the gap between childhood and adult services became undeniable.

Kristina envisions a community that comes together to ensure continuity of care across the lifespan.