About Crystal Hadnott

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Leveraging the discipline of endurance sport to build frameworks that empower organizations to grow with grace and guide professionals to elevate with ease.

For over 25 years, Crystal Hadnott has been a transformative force in advancing equity, sustainable impact, and systemic change. As a visionary leader in philanthropy and well-being, she leverages disruptive strategies to drive wealth development, economic empowerment, and social transformation—all through a lens of long-term sustainability.

Her career transcends traditional boundaries. It is rooted in a mission to address structural inequities and build ecosystems that foster enduring impact. Crystal’s approach equips organizations with the tools to secure financial resources, implement strategic solutions, and operate effectively—while guiding individuals to sustain optimal well-being and performance.

Recognizing the power of holistic, sustainable growth, she founded CH Philanthropy & Fundraising (CHPF) to reimagine traditional fundraising models and promote trust-based, well-being-centered strategies. Through CHPF, she helps organizations achieve sustainable financial growth while embedding wellness principles into philanthropy, ensuring organizational strength and long-term impact.

In addition to consulting, Crystal is a sought-after trainer and facilitator, leading dynamic fundraising workshops and strategy sessions that build capacity and confidence among boards, leadership teams, and frontline fundraisers. She also coaches Development and Advancement teams, helping them build high-performing, values-aligned cultures that drive fundraising success and internal resilience.

Beyond her professional expertise, Crystal is an accomplished endurance athlete who has completed more than 150 marathons and ultramarathons worldwide, scaled some of the world’s most challenging mountains, including the highest peak in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and consistently pushed the limits of human endurance. Her two decades of endurance training have served as both a laboratory and a classroom for developing the principles that now anchor her proprietary framework.

Just as athletes must train with intention, pace themselves for longevity, and build systems of rest and recovery, Crystal translates these lessons into her work with organizations and individuals. Her framework reflects the discipline of consistent preparation, the necessity of sustainable pacing, and the power of recovery as fuel for growth. By integrating these insights into philanthropy, leadership, and well-being, she empowers clients to achieve peak performance without burnout—delivering not only short-term wins but also long-term, sustainable impact.

Crystal’s work is grounded in her signature Sustainably Well™ Framework, a signature system designed to support clients at every stage of their growth journey.

This integrated model bridges wellness and strategy, supporting both individuals and organizations as they evolve—from initial optimization to long-term maintenance. Whether restoring balance, enhancing performance, or building systems that endure, Crystal empowers clients to operate WELL—effectively, sustainably, and holistically.

At the intersection of philanthropy, economic development, and sustainable solutions, Crystal has raised nearly a billion dollars for organizations worldwide. She has worked across five countries to support over 100 entities in various sectors, including education, health, housing, technology, and equity. Her work bridges systemic disparities with a strategic and empathetic approach, fostering inclusion and long-term success from the Americas to Africa.

Her commitment to individual well-being is equally strong. As founder of Synergy Total Holistic Health & Wellness, she helps people optimize health, restore harmony, and sustain high performance using the same principles that guide her organizational work. Her approach underscores the profound, yet often overlooked, connection between wellness, leadership, and sustainable impact.

Crystal is also a prolific author and scholar. She has written three published books, including The Finish Line Was Just the Start, Rise and Run, and Run WELL: The Performance Playbook for Purpose-Driven Professionals. In addition, she has authored an e-book productivity series and several scholarly articles. Her writing continues to merge her expertise in fundraising, wellness, and endurance athletics, positioning her as both a practitioner and thought leader shaping the future of philanthropy and sustainable leadership.

Crystal holds certifications as a Certified Development Executive (CDE) and Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE), and actively engages with organizations such as the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Association of Black Foundation Executives, Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy, and the Women’s Funding Network. She also serves on the Urban Capital Network’s Board of Directors and the Corioli Institute's Advisory Board. In addition, she is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

Her academic achievements reflect her commitment to service and scholarship. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Houston, an MPA in Public Administration, and a Ph.D. in Administration of Justice from Texas Southern University.

Crystal was recently featured as one of the top female entrepreneurs in Houston in the KNOW Houston magazine.

Across all her work, one mission drives Crystal Hadnott forward: To create a lasting, positive impact by helping people and organizations "run well"—effectively, sustainably, and holistically.