Kristal Smart

Kristal Smart is a strategy and organizational effectiveness consultant with more than 15 years of experience helping organizations clarify direction and strengthen how people work and lead together. Her expertise includes strategic planning, learning and development, and leadership and organizational facilitation. Her perspective is shaped by a career spanning education, nonprofit leadership, corporate consulting, and public-sector environments.

A former nonprofit vice president, Kristal partners closely with government and municipal organizations, national nonprofits, higher education institutions, and corporate leaders. Her work has included:

• Leading a multi-year strategic planning and implementation process for an organization serving one of the largest counties in the U.S., helping leaders establish priorities, align initiatives, and build a practical path for execution
• Leading a statewide engagement effort in Texas to support the rollout of a major new education initiative, building awareness and engagement across a broad network of communities and stakeholders
• Designing a national leadership development experience for nonprofit leaders focused on building practical leadership capabilities and supporting application across diverse organizational settings
• Leading strategic planning and organizational development engagements in higher education, helping institutions align priorities, leadership, and stakeholder perspectives

Kristal holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, and her background as an educator and learning leader continues to influence how she approaches organizational development. She believes the strongest solutions are often created when people are meaningfully engaged in shaping them.

A former dance instructor and choreographer, Kristal brings creativity, energy, and a deep appreciation for connection to her work. She is based in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with her husband and two children. Outside of consulting, she loves traveling, hosting family and friends, and creating experiences that bring people together.