Ask5: The Impact of Social Impact with guest Kristi Hughes of the Empire Justice Center. This segment explores career options for those passionate about justice and social impact, providing insights into navigating the sector's unique challenges and opportunities. Gain a deeper understanding of policy advocacy and effective community engagement, and explore diverse pathways toward driving meaningful change in your community.

Bio: Kristi Hughes, MPA, Chief Operating Officer, Empire Justice Center

Kristi Hughes, MPA is Empire Justice Center's Chief Operating Officer. Based out of the Rochester office, she is a member of the organization’s Leadership Team. As COO, Kristi is responsible for the strategy, oversight and development of operational systems and organization projects, facilities management, finance, marketing, development and IT.

Prior to joining Empire Justice in 2001, Kristi was Director of Development of the Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology, Associate Director for Individual and Leadership Giving at Golisano Children's Hospital and the Marketing Director at the YMCA of Greater Rochester.

Kristi is a member of the Class of 2020 Leadership Livingston program. She is the 2019 recipient of the NY Daily Record’s Legal Unsung Hero Award.  She has served as a student mentor with the Monroe County Bar Association’s Lawyers for Learning at School 29; as a volunteer tax advisor and preparer for CASH, Empire Justice Center’s free tax preparation program; and is a former member of Avon Central School District's Board of Education. She also is co-founder of the Avon Chapter of Girls on the Run, a program that uses running to inspire girls to be joyful, healthy and confident.

Kristi graduated magna cum laude with bachelor's degrees in Mandarin Chinese and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh in 1993 and holds a master's degree in public administration from SUNY Brockport. She also studied abroad at National Taiwan Normal University.

Kristi is an avid runner, having run three marathons; she enjoys reading, interior design and antiquing.  Kristi lives in Avon, NY with her husband and two cats, Poe and Scotch.  They have three adult children.