Kristina J. Szilak, Ph.D.
Kristina is an experienced executive assistant supporting a fire chief, where she also provides high-level administrative support to two assistant chiefs and a business administrator. In her role within a fire and emergency services organization, she manages complex calendars, travel coordination, public communications, event planning, RFP processes, and detailed report writing and editing. She also participates in confidential senior leadership meetings and negotiations, contributing to the smooth operation and communication flow of the organization. Before transitioning into government and public safety work, Kristina spent approximately 30 years in education, across K-12 and higher education. She most recently served as an Associate Director for Educational Programs at a university, where she oversaw around 250 adjunct faculty members and managed curriculum development for approximately 300 courses. Her work involved collaborating with subject matter experts and academic deans across multiple colleges, ensuring program quality and alignment with institutional standards. She also managed the backend of the LMS, building and loading courses, and troubleshooting technical issues. One of Kristina’s proudest accomplishments in education was successfully guiding a concurrent credit program through full accreditation, a process that required extensive coordination, data analysis, and reporting across departments. She also loves hearing from former students, and witnessing the influence her positive support and encouragement had on their lives. Her career began early as a piano teacher, where her passion for instruction first emerged, and it has since evolved into a lifelong commitment to supporting systems, people, and leadership. Today, she continues to apply her strengths in organization, communication, and ethical leadership in her executive support role, driven by a strong focus on integrity and meaningful service.
• FEMA Continuous Improvement Certification
• Human Subjects Research Certification
• Web Design Certification
• Six Sigma Black Belt
• PhD in Educational Leadership
• Master's of Education in Instructional Design
• Bachelor of Arts in Human Development
What do you attribute your success to?
I would say a big reason I’ve been able to keep growing, learning, and striving to be better is the resilience I learned from my mom. She went through a lot of challenges in her life, and I watched her just keep going, no matter what she was facing. Even on days when she wasn’t at 100%, she still found a way to do something. I learned from a young age that you just keep moving forward. It’s okay to take a break when you need to, but you hold onto your long-term goals and keep working toward them, even if it’s just a little at a time. There were definitely moments where things felt overwhelming, like I didn’t know what I was going to do, but she showed me that you keep going, stay open to new interests, and keep pursuing what matters to you. She was a really strong role model for me, and that mindset has stayed with me throughout my life.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received was to focus on where you are right now. I’ve met a lot of people who are always looking to advance, and while that’s not a bad thing, I think it’s just as important to look at your current role and ask how you can do it to the very best of your ability. There’s often an opportunity to elevate the role, improve processes, or help a department function more effectively. You really do have the ability, right where you are, to be fulfilled and to make a difference. I think sometimes people feel like, once I get to that next position, then I’ll have arrived, and that’s when they’ll have the influence to make meaningful decisions. And while that can be true, I’ve also seen people stay stuck because they believe they can’t do much until they advance—when in reality, there’s a lot they could be doing. That advice really stuck with me, and I’ve tried to apply it by staying present and engaged in the role I’m in. It also makes a big difference in how you feel day to day—you’re a lot less frustrated when you’re focused on what you can do now, instead of mentally being somewhere else.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering education or government to trust their voice and use it early. You don’t have to wait until you have a certain title to contribute meaningful ideas, your perspective matters now. At the same time, take the time to really learn your role and do it well. There’s a lot of opportunity to make an impact right where you are. Pay attention to the culture of the organization. Integrity matters. Work in places where people are honest, where leadership aligns with the mission, and where you feel respected. If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Also, build strong relationships. Find mentors, ask questions, and learn from people who are doing the work well. But don’t lose yourself in the process, stay grounded in your values. Finally, be patient with your growth. You don’t have to have everything figured out right away. Stay curious, keep learning, and keep moving forward, even if it’s one small step at a time.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I could write another dissertation on how much the education system needs to be reworked - in certain areas, it feels like it needs to be completely dismantled and rebuilt. The bureaucracy involved with education hinders teachers' abilities to use their skills and expertise. The industry is ready for transformation, but I don't know how it's going to get there. I'd like to be a small part of the changes. The education industry is full of committed people who really want to see it be effective and want the people in the system to thrive, but it is struggling in so many ways. I hope to see improvement in my lifetime, for our children and grandchildren.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I would say ethical behavior is at the very top for me. I really struggle working in environments where there is a lack of integrity or where I notice unethical behavior. I want to be surrounded by people who are honest, transparent, and grounded in integrity. If that’s not the case, it’s very difficult for me to stay engaged. This matters so much to me because I want my work to feel meaningful. I’ve always wanted to be part of something that makes a positive difference. In education, I truly felt that I could see the positive impact on people’s lives. And now, working in the fire service, I feel that alignment again. This is an organization that quite literally serves the community in critical moments, and being part of that feels important to me. At the same time, I recognize that prioritizing ethical behavior and integrity has been challenging at times. Not every organization operates with the same level of integrity, and that can be difficult for me to navigate. But it’s also something I’m not willing to compromise on, because it’s so central to who I am and how I approach my work.