Honestly, when you look at the tech world, it’s usually full of the same tired stories. High-growth startups, venture capital rounds, and buzzwords that don't mean much in the real world. But then you have someone like Kristina Francis and her work with Esteem Logic. It’s different. It’s not just about writing code or managing a $40 million portfolio—which she has done, by the way. It’s about the "how" behind the business.
Most people looking up Kristina Francis Esteem Logic think they’re just going to find another IT consulting firm. They aren't. Not really.
The Reality of Kristina Francis and Esteem Logic
Esteem Logic wasn't built to be another faceless entity in the DC tech corridor. When Kristina Francis founded the company, she brought nearly 20 years of heavy-duty experience from places like Booz Allen Hamilton and SAIC. She’s a powerhouse. We’re talking about a woman who received the Black Engineer of the Year/Modern Day Technology Leader award way back in 2007.
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But here’s the thing: she didn't just want to solve technical problems for the Department of Defense or federal agencies. She saw a massive gap.
The tech industry is notoriously bad at finding and keeping diverse talent. Esteem Logic basically functions as a hybrid. It’s part technology consulting and part apprenticeship engine. The goal? To remove the roadblocks that stop "untapped talent" from getting into high-demand IT roles. It’s a bit like a bridge. On one side, you have companies that need cyber and automation solutions. On the other, you have people who have the grit but maybe didn't go through the traditional Ivy League-to-Silicon Valley pipeline.
Why the "Esteem" Part Matters
Why call it "Esteem" Logic? It’s kind of a clever play on words. In most corporate settings, "logic" is the only thing that counts. Data. Math. Results. But if you’ve ever worked in a high-stress tech environment, you know that logic alone doesn't keep a team together.
Kristina holds a BA in Psychology from Georgetown. That’s not a common background for an IT CEO. Because of that, she understands that you can’t have high-performing technical teams without self-esteem and confidence. You’ve probably seen it yourself: a brilliant developer who’s too afraid to speak up, or a junior analyst who gets crushed by one mistake.
By combining the "logic" of systems architecture with the "esteem" of professional development, the company created a model where people are actually trained to believe they belong in the room.
Moving From Small Business to Systemic Change
It’s worth noting that Kristina isn't just at Esteem Logic anymore. She’s the Executive Director at JFFLabs. If you haven't heard of them, JFF (Jobs for the Future) is a massive nonprofit that focuses on transforming the American workforce.
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This move makes total sense.
She took the lessons from her time leading Esteem Logic—lessons about equity, empowerment, and wealth building—and scaled them. She’s now looking at how to connect "systems disruptors" with traditional corporations. It’s a big job. She’s managing initiatives that deal with investment, data, and acceleration.
What This Means for Business Leaders
If you're a founder or a manager, there’s a lot to learn from the Kristina Francis Esteem Logic approach. It’s not just "feel-good" stuff. It’s practical.
- Strategic Planning and Automation: Kristina’s expertise isn’t just in the "soft skills." She specializes in business automation and cyber solutions. The lesson? You need the technical chops to back up the mission.
- The Marathon Fund: She’s also a managing member of The Marathon Fund. This is an early-stage venture capital fund. It proves that social impact and financial returns aren't mutually exclusive.
- Board Leadership: She’s the chair of the board for Black Girl Ventures. This isn't just a title on a resume; it's about active mentorship.
What Most People Miss About Her Work
There's a misconception that you have to choose between being a "tech person" or a "people person." Kristina Francis proves that's a lie. You can lead a $80 million portfolio and still care deeply about whether your staff feels empowered.
In fact, the logic is pretty simple: empowered people do better work.
She’s spoken at major events like the Global Skills Summit about "The Workforce Equation." It’s basically her life’s work. How do we measure skills? How do we validate talent that doesn't look like the "standard" candidate?
Actionable Insights for Your Career or Business
If you’re looking to apply the Kristina Francis Esteem Logic philosophy to your own life, start with these shifts.
- Stop hiring for "Culture Fit": This is often just code for "people who look and think like us." Instead, hire for "Culture Add." What does this person bring that we don’t have?
- Invest in Apprenticeships: Don't just wait for the perfect candidate to fall into your lap. Create a pathway. Use the hybrid approach that Esteem Logic pioneered.
- Balance the Technical and the Psychological: Whether you’re building an app or a sales team, acknowledge the human element. High-tech solutions fail when the people using them feel disconnected or undervalued.
- Look at the Long Game: Kristina’s involvement with The Marathon Fund and JFFLabs shows she’s thinking decades ahead. Short-term wins are fine, but wealth building and systemic change take time.
The story of Kristina Francis isn't just a business success story. It’s a blueprint for how the tech industry could look if we actually valued people as much as we value the products they build. It’s about more than just "logic"—it’s about the confidence to use it.
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To apply these principles today, take a hard look at your current team’s development path. Are you providing the technical "logic" while ignoring the "esteem" needed to execute it? Real growth happens when those two things finally meet.
Next Steps to Implement the Esteem Logic Philosophy:
- Audit your mentorship programs: Are you just teaching skills, or are you building confidence? Real mentorship requires both.
- Evaluate your "Untapped" talent pools: Look toward community colleges or non-traditional training programs (like JFFLabs initiatives) to find your next generation of leaders.
- Focus on Business Automation: Use technology to handle the repetitive "logic" tasks, freeing up your human talent to do the high-level, creative work they were actually hired for.