By creating Texas’s first employer-led K–12 teacher registered apprenticeship program, Kristi redefined the talent pipeline for districts seeking sustainable, high-quality pathways into teaching. Drawing on two decades of leadership in Human Resources across both public education and the oil and gas industries, Kristi has pioneered innovative workforce models that reframe how districts recruit, prepare, and retain talent—developing scalable Registered Apprenticeship programs that offer low- or no-cost pathways into the profession, remove longstanding economic barriers, and expand access for aspiring educators who have long been constrained by systemic barriers and the financial obstacles that limit entry into the profession. Through cross-sector collaboration, her work equips districts to grow their own talent and build a more sustainable educator pipeline. A former Chief Human Resources Officer and workforce strategist, Kristi bridges K–12 and workforce ecosystems to create lasting impact for schools and communities.