Dr. Crystal  R. Francis

Dr. Crystal R. Francis is a senior public policy professional who believes that evidence-based practices should drive an organization’s agenda and the policy-making process.  Dr. Francis has over 12 years of experience serving the federal government.  She has experience in program management, policy analysis, and compliance oversight, and advises executive officials on the effectiveness of government programs.  Dr. Francis currently serves as the President of the Baltimore Federal Executive Board’s Equal Employment Opportunity Diversity & Inclusion Council, where she oversees employee development and training initiatives for 81,000 federal employees within the Baltimore Region. 

 

Outside of work, Dr. Francis is a sought after motivational speaker.  She starred in a feature documentary called “The Degree of Impact”, which airs on PBS and follows her journey advancing social change through criminal justice reform.  In her free time, Dr. Francis volunteers for the Maryland Alliance for Justice Reform as the Clerk of the Reentry Council and serves as the Political Awareness and Involvement Chair for the Baltimore County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.  Dr. Francis works with over 40 organizations across Maryland to advocate for policy aimed at ending the school to prison pipeline, remedying the collateral effects of incarceration, and increasing access to education, employment, and opportunities in underserved communities.

 

Dr. Francis earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice (Pre-law) with highest honors from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, a Master’s degree in Homeland Security Management (Security Policy) from Towson University, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy & Administration (with a specialization in Organization Management and Leadership) from Walden University.