Kristina Manuel, ORDM
As the Founder and CEO of The Lucky Foundation, Kristina Manuel, ORDM, is a visionary strategist and servant leader dedicated to honoring the sacrifices of Military and First Responder families. Under her leadership, the foundation has become a beacon of "United Compassion," providing essential financial assistance, educational scholarships, and transformative wilderness expeditions designed to foster communal healing. Her executive approach, defined by radical transparency and inclusivity, ensures that the organization’s mission remains sustainable while empowering a growing network of volunteers and beneficiaries.
Kristina leverages a multifaceted professional background in finance, manufacturing, and the skilled trades to drive her philanthropic and corporate impact. Her expertise in full-cycle accounting and project management allows her to seamlessly integrate operational requirements with high-level efficiency. By aligning diverse stakeholders, she develops resilient, high-impact programs that ensure long-term organizational health. Today, she applies this same rigor to the healthcare sector, empowering organizations to maximize their impact through sophisticated solutions with Navigator Group Purchasing Organization (GPO). As a strategic liaison for purchasing and dietary leadership, she provides the guidance necessary to navigate complex product decisions, ensure program compliance, and optimize Per Patient Day (PPD) management through SKU rationalization and spend standardization.
Kristina operates on the principle that sustainable success requires total supply chain alignment and the cultivation of inclusive, high-performing cultures. From facilitating seamless member onboarding to managing complex relationships with manufacturers and distributors, she ensures all stakeholders remain synchronized toward shared objectives. Through meticulous order guide management and data-driven reporting, she upholds a culture of accountability, ensuring partners meet rigorous program requirements while positioning members for long-term operational success. Her expertise encompasses data governance, global operational management, and advanced financial analysis, further distinguished by her 2026 induction into Marquis Who’s Who in America and her certification in the ethical deployment of Artificial Intelligence.
Kristina’s commitment to service extends far into the field, where she has devoted nearly a decade to providing critical disaster relief and logistical coordination with the Cajun Navy Ground Force. Her dedication to community resilience is further reflected in her long-term advocacy for healthcare sustainability with Donate Life America and her work with the Alzheimer’s Association, where she founded and scaled advocacy fundraising initiatives. This same spirit of stewardship guided her as a Master Tread Trainer for Tread Lightly!, where she empowered stakeholders to protect public resources. Whether facilitating constitutional rights as an Ordained Minister (ORDM) or providing global emotional support as an active listener on 7 Cups, Kristina remains focused on creating a lasting, service-driven impact through strategic excellence and a steadfast dedication to community well-being.
Learn more about the impact of The Lucky Foundation at luckyfdn.org, and stay connected with Kristina’s latest projects and social media channels at kristinamanuel.com.
• Master of Kling
• AI-Powered Real Estate Certification
• AI Copywriting
• Master of Perplexity
• AI for SEO
• AI for Project Managers
• AI for Accountants
• AI-Enabled Business Analysis Advancement
• AI Social Influence & Blogging
• AI in Social Media Marketing (SMM)
• Build a Strong Portfolio with AI
• ORDM
• +30 Additional Certifications
• Marquis Who’s Who in America – Inductee
• Peer Award - Strategic Improvement Champion
• Volunteer of the Year - FY24
• Merit Award - 2007,2008
• V.I.P Employee Recognition
• Foodservice Women's Alliance - FWA
• Women on Boards
• American Health Care Association & National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL)
• American Society of Administrative Professionals
• AnitaB.org
• IAOP - The Association with Collaboration at its Core.
• Institute of Financial Operations and Leadership (IFOL)
• National Association of Sales Professionals (NASP)
• NonprofitReady
• Taproot Foundation
• Abbott Nutrition Health Institute (ANHI)
• The Lucky Foundation
• Cajun Navy Ground Force
• American Marriage Ministries (AMM)
• Donate Life America
• 7 Cups
• Alzheimer's Association®
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a foundational blend of self-belief, unwavering focus, and relentless hard work. My journey has been defined by a "ground force" mindset while staying driven, extracting wisdom from every experience, and maintaining the agility to pivot when faced with challenges rather than being discouraged by naysayers. I founded my nonprofit because I felt a profound calling to honor those who put their lives on the line every day, with a specific mission to support military personnel and first responders, including the EMTs and unsung heroes who often go unrecognized. By listening to that calling and committing fully to the work I believe in, I have been able to bridge the gap between operational rigor and heartfelt service. Remaining adaptable and execution-focused has been the cornerstone of my journey, ensuring that my work remains a steadfast contribution to community resilience and "United Compassion.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is a simple yet profound mandate: get up and be the difference. This principle serves as a constant reminder that meaningful change is never passive. It begins with the courage to take the first step. In both my corporate and philanthropic endeavors, I have found that true impact is born from initiative and the willingness to step forward when others might hesitate. By actively choosing to lead with purpose, I’ve seen how a single action can ripple outward, transforming the operational health of an organization and deeply touching the lives of the people we serve.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering any industry is centered on the power of self-belief and relentless drive. You must remain steadfast in your vision and refuse to let the noise of doubters sway your path; when a calling or a transformative idea takes hold, have the courage to act on it immediately. Impact is not a product of luck, but the result of working hard, staying focused, and treating every experience as a vital lesson. Growth requires the resilience to persist and the wisdom to pivot when necessary, knowing that your greatest successes will come from trusting your instincts and committing fully to the work you were meant to do.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the most significant challenges, and opportunities, in the current landscape is the art of strategic networking. While building truly authentic connections in a high-velocity environment can be difficult, it is precisely where the most profound growth and cross-functional collaboration occur. The ability to identify and engage with the right stakeholders allows us to share critical knowledge and architect partnerships that do more than just open doors; they provide the infrastructure for collective impact. By transforming networking from a transactional task into a cornerstone of operational strategy, we strengthen the resilience of our initiatives and ensure our work resonates far beyond the boardroom.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most in both my work and personal life are faith, family, and the relentless pursuit of my passions. I strive to approach each day as an adventure, embracing the unexpected whether I am navigating a boardroom, leading my nonprofit, or moving through my personal life. By viewing change as an opportunity rather than a setback, I have developed the ability to pivot, learn, and grow through every season. I truly thrive on challenges, and I find that approaching them with curiosity and adaptability makes the journey not only more exciting but also deeply rewarding.