Kristal Hartsfield is an award-winning political strategist, a seasoned government affairs and policy expert, and a highly sought after leader with over two decades of experience working across corporate, nonprofit, federal, state, and local government environments. Her decade-long tenure on Capitol Hill, focusing on US economic policy/affordable housing, banking & financial services, energy, technology, healthcare, and trade in Sub-Saharan Africa, has seen her in several significant roles. This includes serving as Senior Legislative and Policy Advisor for two Members of the U.S. Congress, Director of the U.S. House of Representatives Republican Policy Committee, Senior Professional Staff for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Strategic Initiatives Director at the Republican National Committee, and Senior Advisor to a former U.S. Secretary of State. Internationally, Kristal has represented the United States and has led delegations to more than 35 nations, including Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Mrs. Hartsfield has also shared her perspective on policy and politics through guest lectures at renowned institutions worldwide, including the United Nations, the University of Ghana (Accra, West Africa), Qatar University (Doha, Qatar), and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, among others. Locally, her community commitment includes board memberships at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, VA, which was named the #1 Best Hospital in Virginia by U.S. News & World Report for the fourth consecutive year in 2024. Additionally, she sits on the board of Global Citizens Public Charter School in Washington, DC. One of only two Washington, DC Mandarin language immersion public charter schools that teach Mandarin and Spanish starting at PK-3. In the political arena, Kristal has developed and implemented winning strategies for national, congressional and statewide campaigns across the country, demonstrating her profound understanding of communities, local on the ground issues and national electoral dynamics. Originally from Alabama, Kristal has received numerous accolades, being featured in The National Journal as a “Top Influential Woman in Washington”, being named a “Rising Star” by Campaigns & Elections Magazine and one of Capitol Hill’s “Top 40 under 40, Most Influential People”, by Politico. In her spare time, Kristal enjoys golfing, traveling internationally, and equipping all communities with knowledge on the psychology of money, personal finance, and stock market investing. Through her personally designed investment course-delivered both online and in classroom settings-she teaches the importance of ownership, asset accumulation, and passing down strategic mindsets, fruitful financial traditions, and wealth building opportunities. Kristal is a graduate of, former National Brand Ambassador for, and the recipient of the 2014 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she earned double bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and International Relations. She also holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an MPA (Masters of Public Administration) from Troy University, Troy, AL. Kristal resides in NW Washington, DC with her husband, children and English Bulldog, Mr. Bentley.