Her parents are Betsy Stam, an administrator at Everett Community College and Randy Kinnunen, a former law enforcement agent.

[4] She was next seen in the 2013 pre-Broadway performances of The Bridges of Madison County as Carolyn, and she continued the role when the production moved to Broadway the following year.

[7] She ultimately was cast as the lead character, Emma Nolan, and went on to perform the role in Atlanta in 2016, before the show moved to Broadway in 2018.

[10] In May 2024, Kinnunen originated a lead role in the play Choice by Winnie Holzman at McCarter Theatre Center in New Jersey.

[11] In 2019, in an interview for Nylon, Kinnunen announced, after years of identifying as a straight ally, that she was dating a woman.