Crystal Hadnott

Socio-economic justice has been the mission behind the life's work of Crystal Hadnott – with both the personal and professional understanding of the economic pressures that exist in our society and systematic differences in the opportunities certain individuals have to achieve optimal health along with its ramifications on the access to healthy, nutritious and culturally appropriate food, the access to affordable resilient housing in addition to education equity and equality.

Crystal Hadnott became a student of nutrition after a medical crisis in her 20s and being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. After conducting many hours of research on the healing properties of food, she became passionate about studying nutrition, which lead to her receiving several certifications and publishing numerous scholarly articles. Crystal has comprehensively studied over 100 dietary theories, the science behind food as well as innovative methods in integrative wellness which have become the foundation her professional principles and private practice.

She is a Certified Integrative Nutritionist, Functional Wellness Coach, Health Educator, speaker, and advocate curating a holistic health revolution to help people operate at peak performance and reach optimal wellness. As an authority in the wellness industry, Crystal has written several e-books on various wellness topics.

Extending beyond nutrition and food insecurities, her platform also focuses on the assurance of stable, high-quality, safe, and affordable housing for every individuals.

As a seasoned nonprofit executive, her ultimate goal is to raise awareness as well as funds to move forward towards social change and create a social impact in her community. She is known for chronicling her professional philosophy through her published scholarly articles as well as advocating her ideology on public stages.

She is a member of the National Association of Nonprofit Organizations (NANOE) earning her Certified Development Executive (CDE) credentials as well as the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) obtaining her Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credentials.

Crystal is proud alumna of the University of Houston, where she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. She is also a graduate of Texas Southern University, where she received her Masters’ of Public Administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Administration of Justice. In addition, she honored be member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

As the former founder of HCA in 2004, a full-service government relations consultancy firm, Crystal Hadnott is not a stranger to advocacy. As a champion for social equality and equity, Crystal has been a spokesperson for several non-profit organizations, such as the Arthritis Foundation, the American Heart Association, the Bread of Life, and many more. As a spokesperson, she yields her government relations and fund development experience to raise both awareness and dollars to support the mission of these organizations. Her personal motto: "Health, hunger and housing are not just a matter of charity but also an issue of justice."

She currently serves as a board member of the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, where she plays an active role with the Development & Communications Committee.

Among her many accomplishments since taking her fate in her own hands, Crystal Hadnott has run well almost 200 full and half marathons since October 2006 and on several different occasions, she has also run a 202-mile relay race. In addition, she is known to bike 150 miles in the BP MS-150 in support of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Her next challenges are running all 50 states, the world majors as well as conquering her first ultramarathon. Crystal penned her memoir, The Finish was Just the Start, outlining the story of her outlining her health and fitness journey as well as released a daily devotional, Rise and RUN.