2024 40 Under 40 Winners

Since joining CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Foundation in 2018 and rising to her current role, Christina has consistently exceeded fundraising goals, achieving over $1 million annually and securing a remarkable 31% increase in Walmart campaign fundraising since 2019. Her proactive approach and innovative strategies, including "out of the box" tactics, have not only strengthened community and national partnerships but also enhanced communication and best practice sharing within the CHRISTUS network.

When my son Max, now eight, was just an infant, he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bacterial meningitis. After he nearly died and spent several weeks in a children's hospital, I began to understand the significance of philanthropy and how is effects so many lives. When the position with Children's Miracle Network came available at my local hospital, I jumped at the chance to help other families who were going through a pediatric medical journey. I have never looked back and consider this my dream career. I get to wake up every day and help save kids’ lives.

Knowing that so much good can be done when philanthropy comes into play, I've devoted my career to helping people help others. For most people, there is a strong desire to help, they just don't know how or necessarily the best way. I believe there is nothing more precious than good health, especially when it comes to children. This career allows me to help make that a reality with the generosity of so many people in our local community. 

The most pivotal point in my career so far has been when I was named Program Director of the Year at the national Children's Miracle Network Hospitals conference in 2023. To be able to see my work recognized by my program director peers as impactful and significant, was truly a moment that I will remember forever. Not only did receiving that award help justify the heart that I’ve put into this work, it became a full circle moment from when we were fighting for my son’s life and asking God, “why?” It was finally the day it all made sense.

My greatest passion is being a mom. My two precious children, Max and Laila Jane, are the reason for everything I do. While I am a working mom and my time and energy are sometimes stretched thin, this career allows me to truly embrace my calling and be incredibly proud and fulfilled of the work I do while I am away from my family. I will always be a mom first, fundraiser second, and I think that’s what makes me so good at what I do.

A piece of advice I would give to someone new in healthcare philanthropy is to get to know your hospital/health care system well... and your donors better. I learned this from my executive director and mentor, Robin, which is why she is so successful. There are so many prospective donors who are looking to support a cause that is near and dear to them. The more healthcare supporting opportunities you know of, the more you will be able to connect your donors with their true heart space. And when that happens, it's like magic! It’s a win, win, win!