Leadership

Kristal Quarker Hartsfield is an award winning political strategist and senior government affairs leader with more than two decades of experience operating at the highest levels of corporate, nonprofit, and public sector decision making. She brings deep expertise across federal, state, and local government, with a career defined by influence at the intersection of energy and environment, technology, healthcare, banking, United States economic policy, and global trade, particularly across Africa.

Her decade long tenure on Capitol Hill included several senior and high impact roles: Senior Advisor to a former United States Secretary of State, Senior Professional Staff on Africa for the full U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Director of the House Republican Policy Committee, Senior Policy Advisor to two Members of Congress, Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the former Governor of Maryland, and National Strategic Initiatives Director at the Republican National Committee.

Internationally, Kristal has represented the United States and led official delegations to more than 35 countries across Africa, Asia, and Europe. She is a sought after voice on policy and geopolitics and has delivered guest lectures and policy briefings at globally respected institutions, including the United Nations, the University of Ghana, Qatar University, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

At the community level, Kristal maintains an active governance and civic leadership presence, serving on the boards of Inova Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Virginia, and Global Citizens Public Charter School in Washington, DC.

In the political arena, Kristal has designed and executed winning strategies for corporate, nonprofit, presidential, gubernatorial, and congressional campaigns nationwide. Her work reflects a sophisticated command of national electoral strategy, state level political dynamics, and the local community realities that ultimately determine outcomes.

Originally from rural Atmore, Alabama, Kristal has built a nationally recognized career in policy, strategy, and public affairs. Her leadership and influence have been recognized by leading publications, including The National Journal, which named her a “Top Influential Woman in Washington,” Politico, which recognized her among “Capitol Hill’s Top 40 Under 40 Most Influential People,” and Campaigns & Elections Magazine, which named her a “Rising Star.”

Beyond her professional work, Kristal is firmly committed to family, global perspective, and financial empowerment. She enjoys golfing, international travel, and teaching personal finance and stock market investing, with a particular focus on long term wealth creation.

A graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Kristal earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and International Relations. In recognition of her professional accomplishments, the university selected her to serve as national brand ambassador, featuring her in nationally and internationally aired television and digital campaigns. She was later honored as the UAB Distinguished Alumna of the Year in 2014.

Kristal also holds a Master of Public Administration from Troy University and an MBA in Finance from the University of Maryland, College Park. Kristal resides in NW Washington, DC with her husband, children, and English Bulldog, Mr. Bentley.