Crystal Brown

Crystal Brown is the executive vice president, education, labor, & economics practice at Hager Sharp. Prior to her role with Hager Sharp, Crystal served as vice president and chief communications officer for Howard University, where she led communications strategy across all university assets, including 13 schools and colleges and Howard University Hospital.

Prior to her role at Howard, Brown held the position of chief communications officer for the University of Maryland, the state’s flagship public research institution and home to 37,000 students, 9,000 faculty and staff and 250 programs. As chief communications officer, responsibilities included advancing the brand of the institution, strategy, and overseeing all communications functions.

While her work has spanned the healthcare and technology industries, Brown has made an indelible mark in the field of education where she provided strategic counsel to K-12 and higher education organizations Crystal’s extensive education experience began in agencies, where she led the development of public awareness campaigns for K-12 and higher education clients. An Atlanta native, Crystal is a graduate of the University of Virginia, where she received a bachelor’s degree in rhetoric and communications skills.