Crystal Kohanke

Crystal Kohanke, MS, SHRM-CP, serves as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer for Arkansas Children's, where she leads the organization’s people strategy in support of its mission. Since joining Arkansas Children’s in 2021, Crystal has helped lead workforce transformation initiatives focused on leadership development, talent strategy, employee experience, workforce innovation, and organizational culture across the health system.

With more than 30 years of human resources leadership experience, including over 15 years in healthcare, Crystal has held executive leadership roles with organizations including CHRISTUS Health and Harland Clarke Holdings. Her experience spans healthcare, education, manufacturing, marketing services, and financial services.

Crystal has been recognized as an HR Superstar by HRO Today and a CHRO/CPO to Know by Becker's Hospital Review. She also received the Women’s Leadership Award in the Corporate Executive category from the San Antonio Business Journal.

She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from St. Mary's University and a Master of Science in Human Resource Management Systems from Chapman University. She holds the SHRM-CP certification and the Stakeholder Centered Coaching credential.