
Kristina R. Manuel, ORDM
Founder, CEO, & Operational Strategy
Internationally Certified AI Practitioner
Partner for Mission-Driven Organizations

Explore Philanthropic Leadership and Remote Agility Training
Explore the transformative impact of remote leadership agility training with Kristina Manuel. This service emphasizes fostering community-driven leadership and strategic partnerships, empowering organizations to embrace agility and compassion in their missions. By integrating innovative training methods, Kristina ensures leaders and teams are prepared to navigate challenges effectively, promoting unity and impactful change. Discover how this training can redefine leadership and drive positive societal outcomes.
Philanthropist

Founder, Chief Executive Officer
The Lucky Foundation
Established 2021
As the Founder and CEO of The Lucky Foundation, I lead a mission-driven organization dedicated to honoring and supporting the legacies of fallen heroes and their families. I serve as the chief visionary and executive lead, responsible for the strategic growth and operational integrity of the foundation. My work is centered on the principle of "United Compassion," where I architect programs that bridge the gap between national sacrifice and local community action. I oversee all facets of the organization, from fiscal stewardship and donor relations to the development of community-based initiatives that promote patriotism, integrity, and selflessness.
I am responsible for mobilizing diverse stakeholder groups—including veterans, local community leaders, and corporate sponsors—to create a sustainable ecosystem of gratitude and support. By establishing robust volunteer frameworks and strategic fundraising models, I ensure the foundation provides tangible value to the families of those who served. My leadership is defined by a commitment to preserving the "human legacy," ensuring that the sacrifices of our heroes are not only remembered but used as a catalyst for community unity. This executive experience allows me to lead with a unique blend of high-level operational strategy and a deep-rooted sense of service, a combination that defines my professional brand across all sectors.
Philanthropic Engagement
In this role, I serve as an ordained minister and advocate for the universal right to marriage, supported by a federally recognized 501(c)(3) interfaith and non-denominational organization. My work is rooted in the "freedom of religion" clause of the United States Constitution, where I facilitate the legal and ceremonial requirements of marriage for a diverse range of individuals. I ensure that every ceremony I perform is conducted with the highest ethical standards and in full compliance with state and local administrative regulations, acting as a trusted facilitator during one of the most significant legal and personal milestones in a person's life.
Beyond the ceremonial aspects, this role requires a deep commitment to human rights and the ability to navigate the complex legal frameworks governing civil and religious unions. I act as a steward of inclusivity, providing a service that respects individual autonomy and constitutional protections. This experience reinforces my ability to lead with empathy, manage high-stakes administrative documentation, and maintain personal and professional integrity.
Volunteer
Cajun Navy Ground Force
2017-Present
As a long-term volunteer with the Cajun Navy Ground Force, I provide critical operational support and logistical coordination during large-scale disaster and humanitarian relief efforts. I serve within a specialized 501(c)(3) framework that mobilizes citizen-led response teams to provide supplemental services for communities in crisis. My work focuses on bridging the gap between immediate disaster impact and the restoration of mainstream services, ensuring that food service preparation, consumer goods logistics, and essential supplies reach the populations that need them most.
Operating in high-stakes, "ground force" environments, I help manage the deployment of specialized volunteers and professionals to restore community stability. Whether coordinating logistics for emergency supplies or supporting community outreach, I apply the same rigorous standards of efficiency and stewardship that define my professional career. This ongoing commitment to disaster relief has refined my ability to lead under pressure, solve complex problems in real-time, and manage the "last-mile" logistics of humanitarian aid—proving my dedication to serving the homeland and supporting the resilience of communities in their most vulnerable moments.
Master Tread Trainer
Tread Lightly!
2021-2023
In this leadership and educational role, I served as a Master Trainer for a national "train-the-trainer" program focused on resource stewardship and sustainable land use. I was responsible for empowering diverse groups of stakeholders with the tools and education necessary to become responsible stewards of public resources. By translating complex environmental consequences into actionable behaviors, I bridged the gap between different user groups to foster a culture of collective responsibility. My work was centered on the "Tread Trainer" philosophy: providing the high-level education required to mitigate the impact of overuse and lack of funding, effectively preventing the closure of critical public facilities through proactive community engagement.
I specialized in developing and delivering comprehensive training modules that transformed recreationists into environmental advocates. As a Master Trainer, I was not only a subject matter expert but also a facilitator of cross-functional collaboration, bringing together disparate groups for the common goal of protecting and maintaining shared assets. This role refined my ability to lead large-scale educational initiatives and manage the "human element" of resource conservation.
Active Listener
7 Cups
2020-Present
In this role, I serve as a trained, compassionate listener within a global, secure emotional health network, providing on-demand support for individuals navigating mental health challenges and existential stressors. Utilizing specialized active listening techniques and bridging technology, I facilitate a non-judgmental, one-on-one environment where individuals can safely decompress and find mental clarity. My work is centered on the principle of empathetic silence—providing a dedicated space for people to process complex thoughts without the interference of bias or unsolicited advice.
This ongoing commitment to behavioral health advocacy has significantly refined my high-level communication and conflict-resolution skills. By connecting with individuals from diverse walks of life, I have developed a deep competency in cultural humility and empathetic engagement. In the context of my professional roles, this experience translates into an elite ability to navigate high-stakes negotiations and stakeholder discussions with poise and emotional intelligence. It reinforces my belief that effective leadership begins with the ability to truly hear and understand the needs of others, ensuring that every strategic partnership I manage is built on a foundation of trust and psychological safety.
Registered Donor
Donor Life America
2000-Present
For over 25 years, I have maintained a steadfast commitment to healthcare sustainability and patient advocacy as a registered organ, eye, and tissue donor with Donate Life America. This long-term dedication is a reflection of my core professional and personal philosophy: ensuring that life-saving resources are available to those in need through proactive, selfless stewardship. Within the healthcare ecosystem, I recognize that the donation of biological resources is the ultimate form of "supply chain" impact, directly influencing patient outcomes and the continuity of care for thousands of individuals awaiting transplants.
My involvement with Donate Life America serves as a foundational element of my identity as a healthcare professional. It underscores my deep understanding of the high stakes involved in medical resource management and my belief in the power of individual advocacy to solve systemic healthcare challenges. By participating in this federally recognized program for over two decades, I demonstrate a consistent, lifelong commitment to the health and well-being of the community.
Charity Fundraiser - Supporter
Alzheimer’s Association of America
2016-Present
In my capacity as a dedicated fundraiser and advocate for the Alzheimer’s Association, my work is driven by a profound personal commitment as a former full-time caregiver for my grandparents who faced the challenges of Alzheimer’s and dementia. This firsthand experience provided me with an intimate understanding of the complexities of the healthcare journey, from the rigors of daily care to the critical need for advanced research and support systems. This perspective fuels my mission to act as a strategic liaison, mobilizing resources and raising awareness to accelerate global research and provide life-changing support for families navigating similar paths.
My advocacy extends beyond community engagement; it is rooted in a belief that effective healthcare requires both logistical precision and deep empathy. By aligning donor interests with the Association’s strategic research goals, I have helped foster a culture of collective investment in the future of neurodegenerative care. This long-standing dedication reflects my professional ethos: utilizing my background in data, finance, and operations to serve as a relentless steward for health equity. My time as a caregiver remains the foundation of my professional "why," I advocate for the high-quality, sustainable resources that every patient and family deserves.
Founder
Rally To Remember - A Charity Fundraiser Benefiting The Alzheimer’s Association
2016-2019
As the Founder of Rally to Remember, I built and scaled a mission-driven organization from the ground up to support Alzheimer’s research and caregiver advocacy. Over nearly four years, I served as the lead architect for both our physical and digital presence, bridging the gap between high-level strategy and technical execution. My role was multifaceted: I acted as the chief visionary and strategist while simultaneously serving as the Webmaster, designing the digital infrastructure, marketing automation, and content workflows that powered our growth.
Beyond the technology, I directed the end-to-end execution of large-scale fundraising campaigns with a rigorous focus on fiscal discipline and "fundraising efficiency." Driven by my personal experience as a full-time caregiver, I combined empathy with operational excellence—managing cross-functional teams, cultivating corporate sponsorships, and mentoring volunteer committees. My work ensured that every dollar raised was maximized for the Alzheimer’s Association, proving that human-centric service and data-driven results can, and should, go hand-in-hand.