Kristina Van Dort, PMP, MBA, is a seasoned technical program leader whose career journey blends public service impact, cutting-edge technology development, and marketing innovation across multiple sectors. With a dynamic blend of program management expertise, technical fluency, and stakeholder strategy, she has delivered complex, high-value initiatives for both government and Fortune 100 companies. Kristina brings more than 15 years of experience driving results in organizations as diverse as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Ford Motor Company, Toyota Research Institute, and Epsilon Data.

Currently serving as a Senior Technical Program Manager in a contract role with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Kristina leads initiatives for the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Her responsibilities span from executing modernization projects and refining data service operations, to directing a high-performing team of analysts and overseeing the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). She plays a pivotal role in aligning program strategy with client objectives, managing stakeholder expectations, and elevating data visualization capabilities through tools such as Databricks, SAS, and Tableau.

Prior to this, Kristina was Director of Project Management at Epsilon Data, where she orchestrated agile product development efforts with cross-functional teams. Her leadership directly influenced go-to-market acceleration, customer retention, and advertising ROI optimization. She guided software and creative teams through sprint cycles, coordinated strategic vendor partnerships for banking API integration, and ensured regulatory and brand compliance across digital and print channels.

At Toyota Research Institute, Kristina managed real-time autonomous vehicle demonstrations, coordinating software, testing, and integration teams while simultaneously supporting enterprise planning tools to enhance portfolio-wide resource management. Her ability to lead high-stakes demonstrations before executive and Olympic stakeholders reflects her polished communication skills and composure under pressure.

Kristina’s early career at Ford Motor Company marked a critical stage in her development as a program leader. As Senior Program Manager for the Lincoln Aviator platform, she steered end-to-end vehicle development while implementing market research insights that uncovered millions in cost savings. Her contributions included cross-department training innovations and a widely recognized process optimization effort that cut product planning cycles by over ten weeks. Her work earned her the 2017 Program Management Achievement Award—a testament to her ability to transform operational strategy into tangible performance outcomes.

She also has a strong technical foundation from her earlier roles in engineering at CRI Tech, Cisco Systems, and Siemens Healthcare. Whether building FDA-compliant medical device software, overseeing software integration for networking systems, or managing electrical and systems engineering tasks, Kristina has consistently demonstrated a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and results.

Kristina earned her MBA in E-Commerce from Eastern Michigan University and holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), with a broad technical skill set that includes Python, SQL, Tableau, SAS, Salesforce, and AWS. Beyond her professional credentials, she is an active volunteer with the Safehouse Center in Ann Arbor, underscoring her dedication to community well-being and service leadership.

Across every role, Kristina Van Dort exemplifies what it means to blend technical expertise with strategic leadership, delivering high-impact results while building inclusive, future-ready teams. Her trajectory is not just a record of titles and tools—it’s a reflection of thoughtful, principled leadership in every environment she steps into.

Character
Kristina Van Dort exemplifies integrity, resilience, and service-minded leadership, consistently driving impactful change across both public and private sectors with professionalism and empathy. Her commitment to operational excellence is matched by her dedication to mentoring teams, volunteering in her community, and leading with a strong ethical foundation.

Knowledge
With an MBA in E-Commerce, a PMP certification, and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Kristina brings a rare blend of technical depth and strategic business acumen. Her hands-on expertise spans data analytics, software systems, autonomous technology, and project governance, making her a knowledgeable and adaptive leader in complex, high-stakes environments.

Strategic
Kristina leads with a visionary approach, aligning multi-disciplinary teams with broader organizational goals while optimizing performance, cost, and timelines. She has successfully delivered cross-functional programs for DHS, Ford, and Toyota by anticipating market needs, modernizing legacy systems, and guiding product innovations from conception through execution.

Communication
An articulate and trusted communicator, Kristina effectively bridges technical and executive stakeholders, delivering concise insights, reports, and presentations that drive informed decision-making. She fosters transparency and collaboration through executive briefings, SOP development, and cross-team alignment, ensuring every voice is heard and objectives are clearly defined.