Juniper Bessemer joined the team at CIR in the role of Program Associate in the fall of 2022. In this role, she works with the team at CIR and speakers and partners to coordinate programming such as the Festival of Faiths, writing contests and other programs throughout the year.

Juniper grew up in Texas, but she came to Kentucky by way of Colorado, where she most recently worked with the Denver Urban Debate League staff, speakers, volunteers and high school students and leaders to plan and execute programs with and for them. She has experience working with underrepresented communities and has done extensive research and work related to the Japanese internment camps in Colorado during World War II.