Krystal Hardy Allen is the Founder & CEO of K. Allen Consulting™, a doctoral candidate at Columbia University (NYC), and a former elementary & middle school Principal. K. Allen Consulting is a national Pre-K education consulting firm that provides highly customized and transformative professional development services to school districts, nonprofits, and social impact businesses nationwide.  Having served over 150+ schools and impacting up to 60,000 children thus far, the firm is also rooted in philanthropy to teachers and students, as well as positioning themselves as thought leaders within public education. A 2007 graduate of Notre Dame, Krystal’s work and passion for culturally relevant practices, adult learning, and social justice are the driving forces and pillars within her leadership journey and personal story. She has been a guest of the White House under President Obama’s administration during ESSA policy formulation; shadowed and featured by national media, such as Yahoo News, The Hechinger Report, Education Weekly; and recognized and awarded locally for her commitment to children and families.