About Our Founder

Cristina (Cris) Candia Lopez is a senior human resources executive and advisor with over 20 years of experience helping organizations align people, culture, and strategy to drive meaningful performance and impact. She brings deep expertise across talent, culture transformation, diversity and inclusion, leadership development, and employee experience, with a track record of success in public, private, nonprofit, and academic settings.

Cris currently leads CCL Partners Group, a people and operations consultancy focused on enabling growth through modern, human-centered strategies. Through CCL, she partners with HR leaders and executive teams to build scalable solutions in times of rapid growth, transition, and organizational change.

Previously, Cris served as SVP of Talent, DEIB & Employee Experience at VillageMD and held executive roles in HR operations, talent, and social impact at organizations including EssilorLuxottica, McKesson, JCPenney, and Accenture. She began her career in the nonprofit sector with the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (now Prospanica) and has remained deeply engaged in the community through board service and advocacy for diverse-owned businesses.

Cris currently serves on the Executive Committee for Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas, the GSNETX Committee on Community Engagement, and is a proud member of the DFW Hispanic 100.

She holds a Master of International Affairs and a Certificate in Advanced International Affairs from the Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University, as well as graduate credentials from the Thunderbird School of Global Management and Southern Methodist University.