Cristel holds an M.A. in Food Studies from New York University, where she focused on food and agricultural economics and policy, and she earned her B.A. in Economics from the University of Texas at Austin. She staffs NSAC’s Conservation, Energy and Environment Committee and helps coordinate its Climate Change Subcommittee. She has worked across multiple areas in the federal food and agriculture advocacy space, including the intersection of climate change and agriculture, farm bill conservation programs, and farm bill programs that support beginning, socially disadvantaged and veteran farmers and ranchers. Her previous work includes evaluating a nutrition incentives pilot program for the NYC Mayor’s Office of Food Policy, conducting food policy advocacy and educational activities for a national nonprofit organization, and technology consulting.