Christina Turner (she/her/hers)

Chief Strategy and Operating Officer

Christina Turner joined the Women Leaders team in July 2018 as the organization's first Chief of Staff. In 2023, Christina was elevated to the Chief Strategy and Operating Officer to oversee strategic brand initiatives, oversee revenue generation and continue to serve as an advisor and thought partner to the Chief Executive Officer, Patti Phillips.

In Christina’s role, she is helping to facilitate the day-to-day operations of the organization, connecting dots across the organization, and enabling team members to work together and drive results. Turner oversees several key operational areas for the organization, including strategic initiatives, marketing, partnerships, business operations and finances, and serves as the staff liaison to the Board of Directors, Bylaws Committee, and Finance Committee.

Since Turner arrived in 2018, the organization has seen growth across several aspects of the organization, including staffing, membership, and the National Convention attendance, and diversified the organization's revenue streams.

Furthermore, the organization has launched several strategic initiatives under Turner's project management, including Strategic Action Plans for the Board of Directors, the Career Connect platform, the 40th Anniversary year-long celebration, the Women Leaders Performance Institute, and WOMEN LEADERS X - the organization’s first-ever virtual National Convention created during the COVID pandemic.

Before coming on board full-time, Turner was one of Women Leaders most active members. Since 2016, she had led the Women Leaders Membership Committee, and in 2015, she graduated from the NCAA/Women Leaders Institute for Administrative Advancement. She has also presented twice at the Women Leaders National Convention on new member engagement.

Prior to Women Leaders, Turner worked at Colgate University (NCAADI FCS) where she was assistant athletic director for administration, director of recreation and chair of physical education. She had been working within Colgate's Division of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics since June 2011 and had been promoted twice under Athletic Director, Vicky Chun.

In Christina's assistant athletic director role, she managed several aspects of the division's internal operations, managed a $1M budget and oversaw a team of eight full-time staff, more than 25 part-time employee, and 50 student employees. Turner also oversaw the division's human resources administration and participated in the development and maintenance of university HR policies and procedures. In her role as director of recreation and chair of physical education, Turner oversaw the comprehensive collegiate recreation program and worked collaboratively across campus to develop programming and services for the entire campus community.

Turner, a Boston native, attended Eastern Connecticut State University as an undergrad and was a four-year member of the women's basketball program. She earned a bachelor's degree in Sport Management. She attended East Carolina University, where she earned her Master's Degree in 2010.

Christina resides in Kansas City, MO, with her husband, Andrew and two sons, Chase and Liam.

Contact Christina: [email protected] | 816.389.8200 ext. 13