Kersten spent eight years as a prosecutor in Cook County, handling primarily domestic violence and sexual abuse cases. After leaving the State’s Attorney’s Office, she went on to serve as an administrative law judge for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Prior to taking on the role as Deputy Chief Investigator for COPA, Kersten was the Chief Investigative Law Officer for the agency. Kersten also serves on the board of The Tripp Healy Foundation which supports student athletes in the greater Chicagoland area. Kersten received her J.D. from the John Marshall Law School and her B.A. in Sociology from North Park University.