Cristal Baron is an accomplished C-Suite leader with over 20 years of financial expertise, adept at steering companies toward growth. Known for her ability to navigate complexity and build productive relationships, she is a certified financial expert and NACD Directorship Certified®.
As CFO and President of Rice Financial Products, Baron transformed the firm post-2008 financial crisis from a derivatives business into a leading bond underwriter and preferred lender for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Her strategic vision and enhancements in financial and risk management grew Rice’s underwriting business from $7 billion to $40 billion in four years.
At MLT, a social enterprise focused on racial equity solutions, Baron, as CFO, drove annual revenue from $9.5 million to $50 million in five years by aligning revenue models with impactful outcomes. She led risk management and capital allocation, doubling employment and launching new businesses. As Head of Development, she increased annual philanthropic revenue from $6 million to $28 million between 2020 and 2022.
Baron also served as Board Chair for Grace Episcopal Day School, overseeing a significant transition, including a strategic land monetization for long-term sustainability. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Howard University and an MBA from McGill University.
Key Role:
Independent Director – PROVEN Bank (Saint Lucia) Limited