A profound exploration of leadership through the metaphor of mountain climbing, revealing how true influence is forged through struggle, shared partnerships, and the resilience to navigate unpredictable terrain toward meaningful summits.
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Influential Woman · Nonprofit
Kristina Manuel, ORDM
ORDM
Founder, CEO, Boardrooms to Backroads Consulting
Austin, Texas 78731
1Article published
5Awards received
Her Story
About Kristina
Driven by purpose. Fueled by adventure. Focused on impact.
Rev. Kristina R. Manuel, ORDM, CAIP, NLP, CIC, CLC, CMH, is a 2026 Marquis Who's Who in America inductee, published author, and operational architect who leads at the intersection of executive strategy and community service. Based in Texas and serving clients internationally, Kristina brings over 25 years of cross-sector experience across healthcare, financial services, manufacturing, skilled trades and supply chain to every engagement.
As Founder of Boardrooms to Backroads Consulting, Kristina delivers operational strategy, project execution and full-cycle finance consulting for organizations that need boardroom-level thinking and the execution discipline to back it up. Her approach runs strategy, execution and finance as a single operating system, so nothing falls between the seams. She works across financial services, manufacturing, supply chain, healthcare, nonprofit and technology sectors, translating complex operational challenges into streamlined, scalable results.
Kristina also serves as a Strategic Partner for Field Implementation with Navigator Group Purchasing Organization, where she supports healthcare organizations in optimizing supply chains, navigating procurement complexity and applying operational precision where it matters most. Her focus in the GPO space centers on ensuring healthcare providers have the resources and resilience they need to focus on the people they serve.
As Founder of The Lucky Foundation, a Charity Navigator four-star rated, Candid Platinum-recognized 501(c)(3), Kristina stands alongside the families of fallen and seriously injured Military and First Responders. The foundation delivers direct financial assistance, educational scholarships for the children of heroes and guided adventure expeditions that fund this work and build community. Since 2021, The Lucky Foundation has built a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion where volunteers and beneficiaries are empowered to share their voices and shape the mission. Every dollar is held to full accountability.
Kristina is a published author whose books serve as practical operating guides for leaders navigating emerging technology, resilience and change. She is globally AI certified and recognized for making complex strategy accessible across organizations of every size.
Her community service record runs deep. She has devoted nearly a decade to disaster relief and logistical coordination with the Cajun Navy Ground Force. She is a long-term advocate for healthcare sustainability with Donate Life America, a founder of fundraising initiatives with the Alzheimer's Association and a former Master Tread Trainer with Tread Lightly!, where she trained stakeholders to protect public lands and resources. As an Ordained Minister, she facilitates some of life's most meaningful moments. As an active listener on 7 Cups, she provides global emotional support to those who need it most.
Kristina operates on one principle: lead with integrity, build with intention, and deliver outcomes that matter.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristina
01What 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.
02What’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.
03What 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.
04What 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.
05What 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.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Kristina
Leading from the Edge: The Architecture of Resilience and the Power of the Ascent
Finding True Influence Through the Struggle of the Climb
As leaders, we are frequently conditioned to prioritize the destination, measuring success by arrival rather than navigation. However, true influence is rarely forged on a paved path. It is cultivated in the moments when the incline is steepest, the conditions are unpredictable, and the resolve to continue is tested by the sheer ruggedness of the terrain.
Leadership, much like a grueling mountain ascent, requires a fundamental shift in perspective. It demands that we move beyond the pursuit of perfect conditions and instead develop the agility to thrive within the struggle. Whether you are building an enterprise from a kitchen table, pioneering research in a laboratory, or steering a high-stakes boardroom, the core principles of the climb remain universal.
The Strength in the Struggle
We often wait for the "perfect engine" (the ideal budget, the flawless team, or the clear sky) before committing to a difficult goal. Yet, the most profound growth occurs when we encounter unexpected resistance. True resilience is not the absence of difficulty; it is the composure to maintain your course when the "machinery" of a project or a career begins to sputter.
In my own journey, I have found that the most breathtaking vistas are reserved for those willing to navigate broken ground. When the horizon darkens and storms begin to roll in, the natural instinct is to seek the safety of the lowlands. But leadership is the act of staying in the driver’s seat. It is the grit to acknowledge the obstacles—the narrow passes and the steep drops—while refusing to let them dictate the end of the story.
The Power of Shared Presence
We often mistake leadership for a solitary burden, but the most enduring influence is built on partnership. No significant summit is reached alone. The value of the climb is intrinsically tied to the company we keep—those steadfast allies who remain by our side through every grueling mile.
These partnerships, whether with a trusted mentor, a dedicated team, or a loyal companion, provide the emotional ballast necessary to endure the vertical grind. They remind us that while the technical aspects of the journey are important, the shared moments of persistence are what stay with us long after the descent. Legacy is not just what we achieve; it is the resilience we inspire in others as we climb together.
Redefining the Workspace
Influence does not require a traditional setting to be valid. It happens wherever someone has the courage to steer toward a higher perspective. The historic, rugged paths we navigate are often bumpy and shared with oncoming challenges that require constant negotiation.
When you finally reach the overlook after a challenging ascent, the difficulty of the trail becomes the very thing that makes the beauty possible. The ruggedness provides the contrast necessary to appreciate the clarity of the summit. Looking out over a vast horizon after a day of intense focus and physical demand provides a profound realization: leadership is not a static position, but a continuous upward movement.
Never turn back. Embrace the agility required for the steep grades, and trust that the most challenging climbs provide the best views you will ever have.
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