Kristina Collins is currently the Director of Pre-K and Early Childhood at SchoolSmartKC, working to facilitate collaboration between K-12 schools and early childhood providers, and provide support to smaller community-based early childhood providers in their efforts to improve quality.

Kris most recently worked at the Upper Room where she managed and provided oversight for their Early Learning Center, After-school, and Summer Academic Programs, while also raising over $2 million for facilities renovations and improvement, and programmatic support.

Kris has a long career in public education, working with both charter schools and the Kansas City Public School District. She has led efforts in both the K-12 and early childhood sectors, including involvement with curriculum and assessment redesign, culminating in Missouri Accreditation. Kris has worked in the Kansas City community for over 30 years, cultivating partnerships and collaborative opportunities to ensure systemic change.

Kris has her B.S. in Business Administration/Marketing and a M.S. in Organizational Development – both from Avila University.