Hello! I'm Cristin.
Welcome! I have over twenty years of non profit and educational experience with building partnerships that matter. I possess an entrepreneurial persona with a data driven mindset driving insights to develop strong sustainable partnerships and innovation that benefit students and community. I thrive on the development of programs that support an entrepreneur's skills and helps to steer business growth and job creation resulting in regional economic impact. I have a stellar record of developing strategic partnerships that increase an organization’s reputation, promote the mission, and serves community and student needs. As a leader I possess a unique talent for transitioning strategy into action and achievement using innovation and creativity at the helm.
EXPERTISE
LEADERSHIP
Inclusively leading with integrity and purpose. I recognize the immense value and contributions of all team members. I possess the resiliency, grit and determination to persevere during tough times.
CREATIVITY
Creativity sparks innovation. Innovation coupled with the courage to be bold and different. New partnerships, new spaces, or new technology platforms. Creativity has no boundary.
DATA DRIVEN MINDSET
Data Driven solutions that solve complex problems. I seek strategic solutions that are collaborative, scalable and forward thinking and have an innovative affect on students and communities.
Cristin Thomas
INNOVATIVE EDUCATIONAL & CULTURAL PARTNERSHIPS
Phone:
Email:
Location:
Dallas, Texas
Creating Partnerships that Matter
EDUCATION
2009-2011
TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY
Master of Business Administration
1996-1999
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Master of Fine Arts
1992-1996
TEXAS WOMAN'S UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Science
Leadership Training
ITC Leadership Academy 2012
Inclusive Leadership Certificate Training 2024
Accumulated more than 35 hours of leadership and professional development during the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
EXPERIENCE
2024-2025
Senior Director of Small Business
Incubation and Acceleration
DALLAS COLLEGE
BILL J. PRIEST CENTER, DALLAS, TX
Oversee and provide strategic vision in the development, implementation, execution, and management of key innovative initiatives and programs. Manage and oversee the day-to-day operations of DCVC (Dallas College Venture Club). Increase incubation and accelerator programming for micro small businesses throughout the DFW metroplex. Seek to increase overall revenue and enrollment numbers throughout Dallas College.
2015-2024
Executive District Director
of Small Business & Entrepreneur Innovation &
Executive Director - Goldman Sachs
10,000 Small Businesses Initiative
DALLAS COLLEGE
BILL J. PRIEST CENTER, DALLAS, TX
Oversee and provide strategic vision to a staff of thirteen in the development, implementation, execution, and management of key innovative initiatives and programs. Oversee growth including scholar recruitment, partnerships, business services, and refinement and delivery of curriculum using innovation at the helm. Leverage technology skills to pitch and build out innovative programs and projects to senior leaders. Stay abreast and informed of the latest industry trends and best practices; leverage network to gain further insight. Leverage leadership and strategy-making expertise while tackling small business growth challenges.
2014-2015
Director of Business Operations
EL CENTRO CAMPUS, DALLAS COLLEGE, DALLAS, TX
Developed and launched a new high producing department while increasing customer service. Developed proposals to increase communication and visibility. Department spokesperson regarding policies, procedures, and new process implementation. Managed auxiliary services for four locations.
2012-2014
Director of Strategic Partnerships
LECROY CENTER,DALLAS COLLEGE,DALLAS,TX
Actively monitored routine business operations of Dallas Learning Solutions, focusing on aligning all efforts with the company’s strategic initiative of growth and visibility. Cultivated productive relations with stakeholders and partners. Used business analytic and sales techniques to facilitate strategic, complex, and cross functional projects. Sourced and secured new partners for the sale of courseware products and services.
2005-2009
Executive Director
TEJAS STORYTELLING ASSOCIATION
DENTON,TX
Drew audience of more than 3,000 across a four-day festival, enriching the community with the professional art of storytelling, while positioning Denton as a regional cultural destination.
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Produced a four-day statewide festival celebrating storytelling, music, and literary arts across three performance tents, a book/resource marketplace, and multiple downtown venues.
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Coordinated & managed over 100 artists and musicians and led a volunteer corps of 75+.
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Partnered with the City of Denton to generate tourism revenue and increase regional arts visibility.
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Developed and implemented school field trip programming for hundreds of students, integrating educational outreach with cultural celebration.
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Solicited and managed- vendor participation throughout the festival.
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Cultivated sponsorships, managed event planning, and coordination, and oversaw marketing and audience engagement initiatives that expanded attendance and city impact.
2000-2005
PLAYMAKERS OF BATON ROUGE,
BATON ROUGE, LA
Executive Director
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Faculty Teaching (In Person & Online)
Curated Annual Production seasons and partner/funder aligned touring shows for young audiences integrating literary classics and original works.
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Directed professional theatre for young audiences in partnership with the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana's Old State Capitol, Corporate Partners, libraries and education systems.
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Managed 70+ artists and educators in seasonal productions, education touring shows, and classes across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.
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Secured civic partnerships, educational collaborations, grants and sponsorship contributions to expand regional access to live theatre.
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Developed, oversaw, and instructed programming that reacher thousands of youths annually and advanced literacy through the performing arts.
Louisiana State University, 1997-1999, Stage Movement, Intro to Theatre
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 1999-2001, Theatre History, Script Writing and Acting I
Texas Woman’s University, 2010-2013, Summer Stage Performance, If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, Miss Nelson is Missing, Bunnicula
Tarrant County College, 2011-2016, Acting I, Film Appreciation, Theatre Appreciation
Dallas College 2016-2017, Business Management, Business Marketing
AWARDS & ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
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DCCCD 45th Anniversary Learning Technology Innovation of the Year
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NISOD Excellence Award
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Dallas ISD | Minority/Women Business Enterprise & Procurement Services – Certificate of Acknowledgment (Expo 2023)
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UPS Foundation Partnership Recognition for Workforce and Start.Pivot.Grow programming 2024
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Integrality, LLC Partnership Recognition for Start.Pivot.Grow programming 2024
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS DEVELOPED
Capital One | Wells Fargo| Shell | Bank of America | Goldman Sachs | Union Pacific | The DEC Network | City of Dallas | Dallas Citizens Council | Babson College | ICIC | TREC Community Investors | United Way | SMU | UPS Foundation | DFW Minority Supplier Development Council | NAWBO | Women’s Business Council Southwest | Deskworks | Integrality LLC | Economic Impact Catalyst
PORTFOLIO
ARTICLES
CONSULTING
CONSULTING
WHY
We Ignite Possibility Through Strategy. Innovative Affect partners with organizations, institutions, and entrepreneurs to design human-centered strategies that unlock opportunity, strengthen ecosystems, and accelerate measurable growth. We work at the intersection of innovation, partnership development, and program design — helping leaders move from vision to execution with clarity and confidence.
OUR APPROACH
We combine bold thinking with grounded strategy. Our work begins by listening — to stakeholders, to data, and to the realities shaping your environment. From there, we align vision with actionable roadmaps, strengthen cross-sector partnerships, and design solutions that are both imaginative and implementable. By pairing qualitative insight with quantitative rigor, we help organizations translate intention into measurable, lasting impact.
SERVICES
1. Strategic Innovation and Planning
We help organizations clarify direction and build actionable strategies for sustainable
growth.
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Vision and goal alignment
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Market and competitive landscape analysis
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Opportunity mapping and prioritization
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Strategic roadmaps (short- and long-term)
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Implementation planning and advisory support
Ideal for: nonprofits, institutions, government agencies, and organizations launching or redefining initiatives.
START YOUR STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS NOW
2. Partnership & Collaboration Development
Strong partnerships accelerate impact. We design frameworks that create alignment, accountability, and shared value.
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Strategic partner identification and qualification
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Outreach and engagement strategy
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Stakeholder alignment planning
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Collaboration frameworks and MOU development
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Partnership performance evaluation
Ideal for: organizations seeking funding partners, cross-sector collaboration, or ecosystem expansion.
3. Entrepreneur Support and Ecosystem Strategy
We help institutions and organizations design environments where entrepreneurs can thrive.
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Ecosystem mapping and gap analysis
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Internal resource assessment and alignment
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Founder support pathway design
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Strategic recommendations to strengthen entrepreneurial infrastructure
Ideal for: institutions, economic development entities, and organizations building or refining entrepreneurial support systems.
STRENGTHEN YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL ECOSYSTEM
4. Program and Initiative Advisory
From concept to scale, we design programs that are structured for impact and sustainability.
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Needs assessment and stakeholder analysis
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Program architecture and logic model development
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KPI and measurement framework design
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Launch strategy and operational planning
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Scaling and evaluation strategy
Ideal for: economic development initiatives, workforce programs, gov agencies, nonprofits, and educational partnerships.
DESIGN A PROGRAM THAT DELIVERS RESULTS
5. Data-Driven Insight and Impact Assessment
We turn data into actionable insight.
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Data collection framework development
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KPI design and dashboard strategy
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Impact on reporting structure
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Monitoring through time and stage