Kristal Quaker Hartsfield
Areas of Expertise: Government Affairs, Finance/Financial Oversight, Public and Private Partnerships, Stakeholder Engagement, Strategic Planning, and Communications
Kristal is a seasoned government affairs professional with almost two decades of experience. She began her career on Capitol Hill and worked there for nearly a decade in several different capacities. Most recently, she was a Senior Professional Staff Member at the U.S. House of Representatives House Committee on Foreign Affairs, in charge of African Affairs. Kristal was the leader and authority on policy to promote trade and investment, international banking and fintech, global health, and healthcare technology. Prior to working on the Foreign Affairs Committee, Kristal was Policy Director for the House Policy Committee and Chief Policy Advisor to a member of Congress.
Kristal has represented the United States on delegations to more than 30 nations including the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Mrs. Hartsfield has also given her perspective on policy and politics through guest lectures at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Troy University, The University of Michigan, The University of Ghana (Accra, West Africa), and Qatar University (Doha, Qatar).
Kristal sits on several boards where she lends her expertise in public policy, international affairs, healthcare, finance, and technology.
Originally from Atmore, Alabama, Kristal holds an MBA in finance from the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland, College Park. An MA in public administration from Troy University, a BA in political science with a concentration in international relations from the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and a certificate in national defense strategy from National Defense University in Washington, DC. Kristal is a wife and proud mother, an active member of her church, The First Baptist Church of Glenarden and currently resides in Ward 7 with her family and English bulldog, Bentley. She is a parent board member.
