Christensen received an undergraduate degree in psychology from Judson University, where she was valedictorian and graduated with highest honors.
She then received a Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Creighton University School of Law.
[5] In August 2018 Governor Kim Reynolds appointed Christensen to the Iowa Supreme Court.
[8] On February 24, 2020, she was selected to be the chief justice of the Iowa Supreme Court, following the death of Mark Cady.
[9] Christensen was born and raised in Harlan, Iowa where her husband Jay serves as mayor.