Crystal M.C. Davis is an accomplished executive leader with a distinguished career in government affairs that has flourished in both Columbus, Ohio, and Washington D.C. With deep-rooted expertise in public affairs, relationship management, government relations, and strategy development, Crystal is positioned as a dynamic force in the realm of executive leadership.

Currently, Crystal holds the esteemed position of Vice President of Policy & Strategic Engagement at the Alliance for the Great Lakes, where she leads the organization’s initiatives pertaining to Lake Erie, drinking water policy advocacy, and relationship cultivation across the region. Under her guidance, the organization has achieved remarkable milestones in environmental protection and advocacy.
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In 2016, Crystal exhibited her entrepreneurial spirit by founding the Thornton Buckeye Group, a renowned government relations and public affairs firm. Here, she has successfully provided clients with comprehensive advocacy, policy, communications, and related services, amassing a diverse clientele base spanning local, state, and national spheres.
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Returning to her roots in Greater Cleveland, Crystal transitioned from a prominent role in the nation’s capital as the Federal Relations Director for Kent State University. During her tenure, she established KSU’s federal office and forged a visionary policy agenda on Capitol Hill, leaving an indelible mark on the institution. Crystal’s illustrious career journey also includes influential roles with the Ohio House
of Representatives, the Ohio Legislative Black Caucus, and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Her contributions have consistently shaped policies and decisions that resonate with the values of equity and justice.
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Crystal is a distinguished graduate of Kent State University and a dedicated member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Her commitment to environmental stewardship is exemplified through her role as an Ohio Lake Erie Commissioner and Environmental Commissioner, as well as her active involvement in the J.E.D.I. (Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) Committee for the City of Twinsburg, Ohio. Her outstanding achievements have earned her recognition as a 2018 Crain’s Cleveland Business 40 under 40 Honoree and a 2021 Great Lakes Protection Fund Trailblazer Honoree. Crystal’s passion for social and environmental progress is further manifested through her board memberships, including the Black Environmental Leaders Association, Case Western Reserve Swetland Center Advisory Board, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences Advisory Board, the Ohio Climate Justice Fund Advisory Board, and her role as Board President of the Village of Healing.
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A proud Akron, Ohio native, Crystal now resides in Northeast Ohio with her husband and their two young children, where she continues to be a beacon of leadership, advocacy, and positive change in her community and beyond. Her unwavering dedication to advancing the intersection of equity and justice sets her apart as an exceptional candidate for executive-level positions in the realms of public affairs, government relations, relationship management, and strategy development.