Crystal Sykes brings more than 15 years of experience in human resources to her role as chief operating officer, overseeing the administrative and operational functions of the ACLU of Texas including HR, finance, information technology, and development.
Crystal joined the ACLU of Texas in 2019 as director of human resources. In that role, she has led efforts to cultivate the ACLU of Texas’ dynamic work culture, including new processes and procedures for performance management, workforce planning, and compliance. Before the ACLU of Texas, Crystal served as chief people officer of Interfaith Ministries, where she was integral to strategic leadership, culture improvement, and promotion of people-first values. Crystal has always shown a passion for interpersonal communications, service, and education. Crystal contributed to the fight against poverty as the Heartland Alliance’s director of employee services and development after serving four years with the agency as an HR business partner. Additionally, Crystal served as a senior business analyst, where she implemented vital HR campaigns for the Chicago Public Schools District, the United States’ third-largest school district, for nearly 10 years.
Crystal has also volunteered as an instructor developing and delivering curriculum to students participating in TRIO programs, which support low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities with their educational plans from high school to post-baccalaureate programs.
Crystal has a bachelor of science from the University of Illinois at Chicago in business management. She completed a fellowship in civic leadership at the University of Chicago, holds a master’s degree in public sdministration, law and public policy from Walden University, and she is a proud mom of three.