Kristina Harder is the Executive Director of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. The President’s Council advises the President, through the Secretary of Health and Human Services, on the progress of developing a national strategy to expand participation in youth sports and to promote good nutrition for all Americans. Harder is responsible for overseeing the administration of the programs and strategic plan of the organization.
Sports have always been an integral part of Kristina’s life. She grew up with a dad who was an All-American basketball player at the University of Michigan, and was encouraged to play sports from a young age. She competed in basketball, volleyball, swimming, and soccer while dabbling in tennis and water polo, and culminated her athletic career playing varsity volleyball at the University of Pennsylvania. She also combined her love for sports with her faith by helping to lead the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) group at both her high school and college.
Kristina began working at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in the Immediate Office of the Secretary before joining the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, first as Deputy Chief of Staff and most recently as Chief of Staff to ADM Brett Giroir.
Kristina is a native of Orange County, California and received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Communications and Public Service, with a minor in Hispanic Studies. She went on to receive a Master’s degree in Public Policy (MPP) from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
Kristina and her husband Brandon reside in Washington, D.C. Together they serve at their local church and lead mission trips to Kenya and Tanzania, serving orphans and victims of sex trafficking through health and leadership education, sports and fitness classes, relationship building, spiritual development, and construction projects.
