Influential Woman · Consulting
Kristina Gibby-Wachter, PhD
PhD
CEO of Cross-Culture Connections, Global Cross-Cultural Strategist, Cross Culture Connections
Holladay, UT 84117
Her Story
About Kristina
Dr. Kristina Wachter is the Founder and CEO of Cross-Culture Connections™, an international strategist, keynote speaker, international bestselling author, and former professor at the University of Utah's David Eccles School of Business. She is the creator of the proprietary Culture SPIN Method™, a practical framework that helps leaders strengthen judgment, navigate cultural complexity, and make better decisions in today's interconnected world.
For more than 30 years, Kristina has worked at the intersection of leadership, communication, business, and culture. Her work is grounded in a simple belief: many of the decisions that shape organizations, partnerships, and careers succeed or fail because of how well people interpret one another. Rather than teaching culture as a collection of facts, she helps leaders develop the judgment to accurately assess people, situations, and environments before making high-impact decisions.
Kristina partners with businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and economic development leaders to strengthen leadership, improve communication, reduce culture-driven risk, and build more effective organizations across cultures. Through keynote presentations, executive consulting, leadership development programs, and educational initiatives, she equips leaders with practical tools they can immediately apply in negotiations, international partnerships, workforce development, and organizational growth.
As organizations navigate global markets, increasingly diverse workforces, and rapid change, Kristina's work addresses one of leadership's most overlooked competencies: the ability to interpret human dynamics before taking action. Her research and practical approach have helped executives, educators, students, and emerging leaders build stronger relationships, avoid costly misunderstandings, and create environments where trust, collaboration, and innovation can thrive.
An international speaker and author of Culture SPIN: The Secret Sauce to Cultural Excellence and other works, Kristina is committed to preparing leaders for the realities of an increasingly connected world. Whether she is speaking in a boardroom, a classroom, or on an international stage, her mission is the same: to help people make better decisions by better understanding the human context in which those decisions are made.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kristina
01What do you attribute your success to?
The greatest influence on my success has been my mother. As a single parent, she not only worked tirelessly to provide for our family, but also earned her Ph.D. while raising us. Watching her balance family, work, and higher education taught me that determination, discipline, and lifelong learning are not just admirable ideals—they are choices we make every day. She showed me that obstacles do not have to define our future.
My faith has also been a constant source of strength and perspective, shaping my commitment to treat every person with dignity, respect, and compassion. Throughout my academic and professional journey, I have been blessed with mentors who challenged me to think more deeply, ask better questions, and pursue excellence with integrity.
Together, these influences have shaped not only my career but also my purpose. They have reinforced my belief that leadership begins with understanding people, approaching differences with curiosity rather than assumptions, and using knowledge to serve others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't give up. Keep going. Some of the most meaningful opportunities in my career came long after I thought the door had closed. Continue learning, continue growing, and be prepared when the next opportunity comes.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be curious. Be prepared. Build genuine relationships, and never underestimate the value of integrity. Your reputation will become one of your greatest professional assets. Success is rarely immediate, so don't be discouraged by setbacks. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep moving forward.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges facing leaders today is navigating an increasingly complex world where decisions must be made quickly, often with incomplete information and across cultures, generations, and perspectives. Technology and artificial intelligence have made information more accessible than ever, but they have not replaced the need for sound judgment, critical thinking, or the ability to accurately interpret people and context.
At the same time, I believe this presents one of our greatest opportunities. Organizations that invest in helping leaders strengthen these uniquely human skills—curiosity, trust-building, thoughtful decision-making, and cross-cultural understanding—will be better equipped to innovate, collaborate, and succeed in a global environment. The future belongs not only to those with the best technology, but also to those who make the best decisions.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the foundation of both my personal and professional life. The pillars of my business are trust, dignity, and respect, because they reflect the values I strive to live every day.
I believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. Trust is built through integrity, consistency, and genuine relationships, and it remains at the heart of effective leadership and meaningful collaboration.
Compassion is equally important. Taking the time to understand others, rather than making assumptions about them, has shaped both my work and my life. These values guide how I teach, lead, build partnerships, and serve others.
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