Krystina François

Founder & CEO @Diasporic Minds

🔥 Startup FounderBusiness Owner📝 Influencer or Blogger💼 C-level Executive⚖️ Legal🧨 Consulting🧮 Education✨ Business OwnerLecturerBloggerLife CoachingExecutive CoachPodcast HostGovernment RelationsPolitical ConsultantSoft Skills Trainer🎓 StudentInfluencerResearcherGraduate StudentProfessorCEOAdvisorFounder

Krystina François is a dynamic and innovative business leader, currently serving as the Founder and CEO of Diasporic Minds, a company dedicated to promoting cultural understanding and global inclusivity. She is an expert in geopolitics, strategic planning, and non-profit management. Before founding Diasporic Minds, Krystina held several leadership roles, where she honed her skills in research, strategy, project management and cross-cultural communication. Her work is fueled by her passion for connecting people across cultural divides and her dedication to fostering an inclusive global community. Krystina holds a degree in Political Science and is known for her visionary leadership, public policy insights and commitment to social change.

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Work Background

Fordham UniversityAdjunct Professor

May. 2024New York City Metropolitan AreaCurriculum development, assignment design, teaching undergraduates Courses: Politics of Immigration

Baruch CollegeAdjunct Professor

Jan. 2024New York, New York, United StatesDeveloping unique curriculum and teaching undergraduate students Courses: Introduction to American Politics

Baruch CollegeGraduate Teaching Fellow

Jul. 2023New York, New York, United StatesTeaching Fellow in the Political Science Department Developing unique curriculum, mentoring, and teaching undergraduate students Courses: Introduction to American Politics, US in the Era of Globalization, Public Policy

Diasporic MindsFounder

Mar. 2022United StatesLeads clients through cross-sector collaboration, political strategy, strategic advising and non-profit innovation. Serves as an advisor for non-profit, government and private sector leaders globally.

The Graduate Center, City University of New YorkGraduate Research Assistant

Aug. 2022 - Aug. 2023New York, New York, United StatesGenerated research and recommendations for the Political Science Department’s Diversity Committee, including best practices for racial, disability and gender justice.

Communities United for Status and Protection (CUSP)Co Executive Director

Jan. 2022 - Dec. 2023New York City Metropolitan Area•Communities United for Status and Protection (CUSP) is a collaborative of grassroots immigrant community organizations working together to win permanent status for our members and communities, and build a more inclusive immigrant rights movement that centers the needs and experiences of Black, Arab, and Asian immigrants. The collaborative includes 5 anchor organizations Adhikaar, African Communities Together, Haitian Bridge Alliance, National Network for Arab American Communities, and Undocublack Network. •Co-lead the collaborative’s work and built new infrastructure to win policy change at the local, state, and federal level. •Worked with designated staff of anchor organizations to coordinate\ align key decisions that advance our communities’ permanent status in the US. •Co-led and mentored a team of 15+ to operationalize CUSP’s vision and values. •Built out structure, processes, and systems for CUSP and fostered alignment and consensus. •Created and nurture beneficial relationships with external groups around Black migrants, climate migration, asylum, and border policy. •Articulated strategy, plans, and accomplishments to funders, including funder briefings on the root causes of migration, climate migration and the intersectional analysis required to advocate for racialized migrants. •Co-Led on communications and outreach strategy, ensuring key messages and stories are strategically shared with media, influencers, stakeholders and directly impacted community members. •Represented CUSP with key government stakeholders, and humanitarian and international organizational leaders. •Monitored members’ relevant research, communications, and advocacy efforts •Conducted legal and policy research to support high impact campaigns around TPS, Asylum and Border Enforcement. •Participated in 2 humanitarian visits to Puerto Rico and Panama to serve as an advocate, translator, and interviewer of 100+ migrants on the move seeking refuge.

Miami-Dade CountyDirector, Office of New Americans

Jan. 2021 - Dec. 2022Miami-Dade County, Florida, United StatesA new Division in Miami-Dade County's Community Action and Human Services Department (CAHSD), the Office of New Americans (ONA) promotes the inclusion and full citizenship of immigrant residents into the county’s civic and economic life. Served as the Miami-Dade County mayor’s point person on state and local immigration policy, the needs of immigrant residents and strategic planning for being a welcoming county. Led the county’s response to the increase in newly arrived asylum seekers through the creation of an interagency task force, community advisory table and mass communication campaign educating migrants on their rights and community based resources. Led a welcoming initiative for 800 Afghan and 1000 Ukrainian arrivals, which served as a model for interfaith, diaspora led immigrant integration plan, reliant on multi-sectoral partnerships and free legal assistance. Led the office’s efforts to make Miami-Dade a more just and accessible place for immigrant families. As the county charts a recovery for all from the COVID-19 pandemic, and while immigrant communities are still bearing the brunt of its impact, I advocated for a Miami-Dade that goes beyond the status quo to even further integrate and empower immigrant Miamians to reach their fullest potential. Set strategic mission, vision and program objectives of division which strengthens relationships with immigrant Miamians and the county’s many partners. Responsible for informing, educating and advising on policy impact on immigrant communities for Mayor’s Office, CAHSD and other relevant departments Represented county in national networks such as Cities for Citizenship, Cities for Action, and Welcoming America Identified opportunities for public-private collaboration and funding opportunities Responsible for the inaugural annual Miami-Dade New Americans Report and other research initiatives Spoke at relevant conferences, trainings, and other engagements that share best practices and innovations

The Office of New Americans of Miami-DadeExecutive Director

Jan. 2018 - Dec. 2022Miami, FloridaThe Office of New Americans (ONA) is a public-private partnership to promote naturalization in Miami Dade County and assist residents overcome barriers to achieving citizenship. Miami Dade County is the first county in the country to join the Cities for Citizenship Initiative. Led a public-private partnership to promote naturalization and immigrant integration in Miami Dade County and assist 1.5 million immigrant residents overcome barriers to achieving full citizenship. Secured more than $650,000 in funding for organization and launched New American Fund legal aid fund. Supervised Citizenship Coordinator, Immigrant Integration Coordinator and legal/policy fellows

The Black CollectiveCo-Founder

Jan. 2018 - Dec. 2022Miami, Florida, United StatesCentering the diverse experiences of the African Diaspora, The Black Collective is a movement committed to promoting a shared agenda to elevate the political consciousness and amplify economic power of Black communities in Miami. Served as board secretary and treasurer. Co-led the political education curriculum, tools and resources for policy and civic engagement, including diasporic issues, right to protest, voting rights, and emergent issues in state government. Managed strategic communication and political education campaigns, including creating materials, content and media relations. Managed fundraising efforts, grant writing and reporting. Oversaw human resource needs for 3 full-time community organizers.

KMD Consultant Group, Inc.CEO

Jul. 2014 - Aug. 2018Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area• Aim of KMD Consultant Group is to build capacity of individuals, organization's and communities by providing trainings, facilitation, strategic planning and management services. • Manage collaboratives, community partnerships, strategic relationships and implement more efficient or innovative work flow processes for Catholic Legal Services of Miami, Engage Miami, Amnesty International USA and the Women’s Fund of Miami Dade • Develop the capacity of organization's to expand their target communities by developing a communication strategy, providing translations of essential documents, building communication infrastructure, and managing social media platforms for clients such as SEIU Florida, Chase Marketing Group, Catholic Legal Services, the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Catalyst Miami, and the Women’s Fund of Miami Dade • Conduct organizational assessment and development planning for organizations like FANM- Haitian Women of Miami and Engage Miami in order to scale up services, diversify funding sources and launch large fundraising campaigns • Facilitate on-going trainings on issues of civic engagement, advocacy and leadership for the community at large with CBOs and private- public partnerships such as New American Workforce, Catalyst Miami’s Step Up program, and The Women’s Fund of Miami Dade’s “See Her Vote” Campaign • Plan large community events and fundraising events for clients such as: Educate Tomorrow 2015 Gala, The Leadership Learning Center at St. John Bosco Anniversary Gala and the 2016 Mega Citizenship Clinic at Marlins Park, leading to $1Million raised, 25% above the target

Law For Black LivesCo Director

Apr. 2017 - Jun. 2018Miami, Florida• Served as Co-Director for a national network of 3,000 lawyers, law students and others who are committed to supporting the larger movement for Black Lives through legal support and policy change. • Facilitated relationship building between attorneys and local organizers in order to provide meaningful legal support to base building organizations committed to black liberation.

Florida Immigrant CoalitionFlorida New Americans Program Manager

Dec. 2011 - Jul. 2014Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area• Founded the Florida New Americans Program,which facilitates the naturalization process for over hundreds of eligible immigrants through free monthly Citizenship Legal Clinics and the dispersal of information via information sessions, a tri-lingual website and hotline as well as with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) for undocumented youth and civic engagement/GOTV • Served as representative of FLIC for the National Partnership For New Americans(NPNA) and New Americans Collaborative(NAC) locally and nationally • Planned, implemented and evaluated the Florida New Americans program • Trained over 850 Citizenship Coaches by facilitating 20+ trainings • Cultivated partnerships with 55 + community organizations, professional associations, universities and private firms • Created content for and translate all outreach and related communications • Generated monthly and quarterly grant reports, tracked and followed up with 6,000+ clients served • Managed a $80,000 budget with a team of 2 Interns, Program Coordinator and Communications Associate, doubling original grant funding within less an a year • Secured 300,000+ in in-kind contributions • Assisted in the creation of individual members, individual donors, and sustainers with Grassroots Fundraising Manager & Development Director • Served on National Working Group for Implementation, sub-committed on Human Resources Development (ongoing) • Served on the Deferred Action Sub-committee for FIRM (2011-2013) • Served on the core team for Immigration Reform Implementation Team for FIRM • Served as the Local Committee Chair and member or core planning team for the 6th Annual National Immigrant Integration Conference (NIIC) 2013 • Served as the Local Committee Chair and core planning team for the 2014 Black Immigration Network (BIN) Conference

Public AlliesAmeriCorps Fellow/Ally

Aug. 2011 - Jul. 2012Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area• Attended bi-monthly trainings on leadership development, non-profit management and public service • Coordinated and implemented a team beautification project at an inner-city elementary school, where we created an outdoor classroom and educated children on sustainability • Held a service day with 30 elementary school children, parents & 24 Public Allies • Gave a training on Elementary Haitian-Creole

Florida Immigrant CoalitionCultural Events Coordinator

Aug. 2011 - Dec. 2011Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area• Assisted in the planning of FLIC's annual membership convening for its 30 member organization and 200 allies • Recruited and managed over 100 volunteers for FLIC Congress • Created and maintained the event website • Created the content of FLIC's first Membership Directory • Developed relationships with venders, local immigrant artists, musicians and artisans • Planned and implemented a week of cultural events as a part of Art Basel Public Art Installation by Andrea Bowers & Olga Koumoundouros • Planned the Office Launch/First Annual Holiday Event that featured new years traditions and foods from Latin American & the Caribbean

Little Fish Media LLCSocial Media PR Intern

May. 2011 - Sep. 2011Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area• Compiled background research on various organizations and networking opportunities for clients in order to facilitate their relationships within the non-profit and corporate sectors • Created media contact list • Provided administrative support to CEO • Prepared tweets and Facebook posts and manage Twitter and Facebook accounts for 4 clients

International Rescue CommitteeAwareness Campaign Coordinator

Jul. 2011 - Aug. 2011Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area• Initiated and founded awareness program targeting Haitians granted asylum in South Florida • Created project proposal to be implemented for the increased awareness of Haitian refugees regarding IRC’s resettlement program • Planned outreach initiatives

MADREHuman rights/ Advocacy Intern

Dec. 2010 - Apr. 2011Greater New York City Area• Compiled background research on various human rights conventions, international bodies and key actors • Provided daily Haitian Creole verbal and written translation for correspondence with KOFAVIV, MADRE's partner grassroots organization for the Haiti Advocacy project • Provided French translations of materials for Haiti Advocacy project • Prepared materials for advocacy programs, such as journal submission deadlines and requirements • Managed deadlines and materials for petitions to international human rights bodies • Monitored international bodies who deal with international human rights and women's rights

World Water OrganizationHaiti Project Manager & Burkina Faso Project Manager

Jul. 2009 - Sep. 2010Greater New York City Area• Compiled and presented data on the status of water in Burkina Faso, Haiti and Jordan for WWO website and research water crisis in Haiti & Jordan • Managed the Burkina Faso Project team of 10 consultants while serving as a liaison between WWO and The Baraka Foundation in collaboration to increase water supply and facilitate water education in Tantiaka, Burkina Faso • Established an official partnership with Engineers Without Borders South Central Florida Chapter (EWB-SCFL) for the WWO • Managed the Haiti project in partnership with Engineers Without Borders addressing water supply, sanitation, hygiene education, and protection of natural water sources in Corail Lamothe, Haiti • Served as a French translator of documents and on-the- ground communication for the Burkina Faso project, as well as a Haitian-Creole translator for the Haiti project • Organized effort to supply water and water purification tablets to Non-Governmental Organizations for distribution to Haiti’s for Earthquake victims • Registered and served as a guide for over 300 attendees, 5 UN ambassadors, and 15 speakers at the World Energy Forum High Symposium at the United Nations while, providing trouble-shooting for the event coordinator • Managed 12 volunteers for Water and Global Health Conference at the United Nations, compiled 500 conference programs, and registered over 200 attendees as assistant event coordinator

Orphans InternationalProgram Development Intern

Aug. 2008 - Sep. 2009Greater New York City Area• Coordinated fundraising events by developing relationships, negotiating with partner organizations, gaining necessary corporate sponsorship and corporate donations • Lead Research & Development for OI Haiti by researching and applying for large grants to support the continued maintenance of OI Haiti

Hunter CollegeExecutive Assistant in Graduate Department of Educational Foundations

Jan. 2007 - Jun. 2007Greater New York City Area• Managed all internal correspondence with students and other professors for two professors • Conducted the necessary research for grant proposals and colloquiums

Human Services CoalitionCommunications Intern

Aug. 2004 - Aug. 2005Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area• Handled office responsibilities such as managing correspondence, taking committee minutes, shipping necessary documents, managing files, and general database administration for the Director of Community Relations • Developed online newsletter which was sent out to all members, staff and employees and partner organizations • Served as the organization’s representative during the organizing of the Florida KidCare insurance welcome back event