Woman seated at desk with computer and colorful landscape painting behind her.

Meet Kristine Hazzard, MSW

Kristine founded Katalyst, a consulting firm with a mission to Harness the Power of Change, in 2019. From the Berkshires in Massachusetts to Richmond, Virginia, Katalyst provides nonprofit organizational development, leadership coaching, team building, group facilitation and strategic planning services. Kris is a certified partner with Wiley Inc. and a trainer of Everything DiSC, a personal development learning experience that measures an individual’s communication preferences and tendencies, helping improve relationships in the workplace, creating the opportunity for productive conflict, management improvement and 363 leadership assessments and development.

Kris served as President and CEO of Berkshire United Way in Pittsfield, MA for twelve years, where she successfully secured over $22 million in support from individuals, foundations, corporations, and government funders to address key community issues such as teen pregnancy and early literacy. Her leadership led to a 60% reduction of the teen birth rate in the county in six years. Kris served as the President and CEO of The Center for Women and Families of Eastern Fairfield County, located in Bridgeport, CT, where she successfully transitioned the organization from a national YWCA affiliate to an independent, locally led organization serving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. In this capacity she started the first Child Advocacy Center in CT to use a coordinated, interdisciplinary team to investigate cases of child abuse. Kris was the Supervisor of School-Based Health Centers for the City of Bridgeport, CT Health Department for nine years, growing the program from three high school programs to ten health centers, including seven located in elementary and middle schools.

She has a master’s degree in Social Work, with a concentration in Administration, from the University at Albany (SUNY) and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare from Albright College in Reading, PA.

Connect with Katalyst on LinkedIn.

  • "Kris quickly understood our organization and its strengths and weaknesses. Kris helped us build a stronger team, better equipped to move into the future. The board is still consulting her findings and using them as a guide."

    — Beth Moser, People's Pantry

    A Story of Change

  • "Kris was an amazing partner with the foundation every step of the way; she conducted a thorough analysis, presented realistic options, and helped guide our decision-making process. We could not have created the program we did without Kris’s leadership."

    — Jill Cancellieri, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

  • "The Brien Center’s 100+ Anniversary Gala Celebration was an extraordinary fundraiser, it was the most successful event hosted by the agency in its history. Without Kris’ time and talent, it never would have happened! She’s a true professional."

    — Christine Macbeth, CEO, The Brien Center

    See The Change

  • "Kris is a talented leader with proven ability to build consensus among stakeholders with diverse perspectives and interests. Where others see overwhelming chaos and insurmountable challenges, Kris sees opportunities for growth and develops approaches to achieve what others may perceive as impossible."

    — Tim O'Donnell, Board Member, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.

    Make It

  • "Kris is an energetic, strategic and dynamic leader. She can effectively and efficiently lead initiatives, organize boards and community groups to create change."

    — Emily Bronson, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

  • "What makes partnering with Kris so special is her ability to work collaboratively and strategically with clients to create a thoughtful and effective process. Clients feel heard when working with Kris and are able to build creative and inspired strategies."

    — Pam Malumphy, Pam Malumphy Consulting

  • "Kris is smart and experienced, which was invaluable in guiding our decision making. She skillfully facilitates discussion with the goal of identifying key issues and achieving consensus, while making all participants feel heard and respected. She is highly responsive and clear in her communications and efficient and thorough in her work. I could not be more pleased with the work she has done for us."

    Mark Gold, President, Second Street Second Chances, Inc.