I’m Kristyna N. Jones, a strategy and operations leader with a passion for helping mission-driven organizations find clarity, confidence, and systems that work.

OFFICIAL BIO

Co‑Founder & COO, Brothers Empowered to Teach (2011–2021)

Larry Irvin and I launched Brothers Empowered to Teach (BE2T) in 2014 to build a pipeline of Black male educators in New Orleans. From a 7‑fellow cohort, we grew to serve hundreds—placing over 175 fellows in classrooms and raising more than $3M (including a major grant from MacKenzie Scott) .

After leading operations, program design, and fundraising, I stepped away in 2021 due to a deep misalignment in leadership and values. This chapter taught me firsthand the power dynamics that live through growth—and the importance of structure, equity, and leadership alignment.

Today, I bring those lessons into my consulting work: helping founders, boards, and senior teams navigate transitions, conflicts, and scale with integrity.

What I Do Now

  • Design strategy + operational infrastructure that has impact

  • Lead board–executive navigation, clarifying roles and building trust

  • Support founder & leadership transitions, anchoring exits with dignity

  • Build financial models and sustainability roadmaps for mission-driven orgs

Background & Credentials

  • B.A. in Economics & Metropolitan Studies, NYU

  • M.S. in Urban Policy & Community Development Finance, The New School

  • Alumna, WK Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network & Propeller Growth Accelerator

DIVERSE EXPERTISE

Finance

Community Development Loan Underwriter and Originator

Leadership

Loan Fund
Manager and Interim Executive

Coaching

Executive Coach
to Mission-Driven
Leaders

Innovation

Founder of
successful for-profit and nonprofit organizations

Get In The Cipher Podcast

Recent
Press

An outside-the-box thinker who is not afraid to challenge convention and embrace new and innovative methods.