Empowering young people to achieve their full potential is vital to our education system. It is through guidance and support that students are able to create and pursue their dream life. One individual who has dedicated her life to making a difference in the lives of young people is Kristina Marshall, Board Chair of Winning Futures.

Since 1998, Kristina has been a driving force behind Winning Futures, a top-rate school-based mentoring program. As the first mentee in the program in 1994, Kristina has made it her life’s mission to empower youth to succeed. With a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Michigan Technological University and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Oakland University, Kristina has raised $13M, impacting over 46,000 youth. Winning Futures has been deemed an evidence-based program, and Kristina has grown it to have a national impact through their award-winning life skills mentoring curriculum.

In addition to her work at Winning Futures, Kristina is a motivational speaker and co-author of four books. She has also held leadership positions such as previous Chair of the Mentor Michigan Providers Council and past President of Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) in Detroit. Her efforts have been recognized with over 10 professional awards, including the 2015 Career Mastered: Women’s Leadership in Action Award, Michigan Technological University’s 2012 Outstanding Young Alumni Award, and Crain’s Detroit Business’ 40 under 40 awards in 2008.

Kristina’s leadership and growth of Winning Futures have been highlighted in SUCCESS Magazine. Through the program, Winning Futures transforms high school students into employable, productive adults by helping them create a path to a purposeful career and assisting them in creating the road map to get there. A study of surveyed graduates shows that over 95% continued their education past high school, and 96% are employed.

Winning Futures is an award-winning 501(c)(3) organization that empowers youth to succeed through mentoring and strategic planning. Since 1994, they have impacted 46,000 students and awarded over $1.8M in scholarships. The program’s evidence-based life skills and strategic planning curriculum has been implemented throughout the country by other non-profits and schools.

Kristina Marshall’s work at Winning Futures embodies the values of inclusivity, student focus, relationship focus, loyalty, positive attitude, and teamwork. The program’s mission is to empower high school and college students to achieve the life they dream of through its seven-year workforce prep and mentoring program. Their vision is for their alumni to become happy adults who have lasting satisfaction, stability, and growth opportunities in their careers, many of whom will mentor students in Winning Futures, work for their partners and sponsors, and impact their community.