About Our Founder

Cristina (Cris) Candia Lopez is a senior human resources executive with over 20 years of experience working with public, private, non-profit, and educational institutions to create internal cultures that align people, organization and values to drive individual and business success. 

Cris’s career reflects a demonstrated track record in developing, implementing, and leading Culture Transformation, Talent, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Supplier Diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in complex environments, having worked with organizations in times of rapid growth, disruption, mergers and acquisitions. She also brings deep community engagement and governance experience through her support of diverse-owned businesses and service on nonprofit boards.

Currently, Cris is the Senior Vice President for Talent and Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Employee Experience at VillageMD. Previously, Cris held leadership roles in HR Operations, Talent, Culture, Inclusion & Diversity, Supplier Diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility at Essilor, McKesson, JCPenney and Accenture. Her experience also includes work with the National Society of Hispanic MBAs (now Prospanica), the Pan-American Health Organization, and Texas A&M University.

Cris is a member of Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas's (GSNETX) Executive Committee, serves as Chair of GSNETX's DEI Corporate Council and is a member of GSNETX's Committee on Community Engagement. She also serves on the Bush School of Government & Public Service Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, serves as Distinguished Faculty for the Association of Latino Professionals for America and is a member of the DFW Hispanic 100.

Cris holds a Master of International Affairs from the Bush School of Government & Public Service, an Executive Certificate in Global Corporate Social Responsibility from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, a Graduate Marketing Certificate from Southern Methodist University, a Certificate in Advanced International Affairs from the Bush School, and a BA in Political Science from Texas A&M University.