At the heart of UNLOCKED Search & Consulting Firm is a leader driven by purpose, equity, and a deep commitment to community. Christina S. Carter, Founder and CEO of UNLOCKED, brings over 12 years of cross-functional leadership experience in K-12 education to this work — experience that has shaped not just systems, but the people within them.

Christina’s career began in the classroom, where she nurtured students as an Art and STEM teacher, Reading Specialist, and Department Chair. It was in those early years that she first experienced the transformative power of belonging and culturally responsive education. Her passion for instructional leadership and people-centered practices propelled her into teacher leader and administrative roles, ultimately serving as an Elementary Principal and later, Director of Learning and Assessment for a dynamic public school district.

A cornerstone of Christina’s leadership has been her unwavering commitment to recruitment, retention, and the development of diverse, mission-aligned leaders. She transformed a district’s recruitment process by shifting from a transactional model to a relationship-based approach — introducing the district’s first Diversity Career Networking Event, which successfully increased the diverse applicant pool by 29% in just one year. Beyond recruitment, Christina led district-wide retention initiatives, conducting insight interviews with current staff to better understand their experiences and inform strategies for cultivating a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture. She also developed the first Affinity Group Start-Up Guide for their own supportive and safe spaces. 

Her commitment to cultivating inclusive leadership pipelines extends beyond the districts she served. As Co-Chair of the University of Pennsylvania’s School Leadership Program (SLP ‘18) Alumni Steering Committee, Christina co-leads the mock interview experience for aspiring school leaders (from public and independent schools) — revamping it into a virtual format that prepares candidates to navigate leadership opportunities in today’s dynamic, nationwide job market. Additionally, she has consistently served as a trusted facilitator and leader of affinity spaces through Southeastern Educators of Color Network (SPECN), fostering meaningful, supportive communities for educators and administrators of color across suburban school districts.

Christina is also an active member of the Pennsylvania Educator Diversity Consortium (PEDC), a statewide network dedicated to increasing the diversity within Pennsylvania’s educator pipeline. Through this collaborative, she contributes to ongoing efforts that build more equitable pathways into education and leadership for underrepresented educators.

An alumna of the University of Pennsylvania’s School Leadership Program, Cabrini University, and Temple University’s Tyler School of Art, Christina pairs academic rigor with practical leadership. She’s shared her expertise nationally as a speaker on educator affinity groups, culturally sustaining education, and effective talent recruitment and retention strategies.

At UNLOCKED, Christina infuses this experience into every search and consultation. She understands that behind every leadership position is a person, a community, and a set of values. Her commitment to unlocking potential — in organizations, leaders, and communities — guides the firm’s mission to build more inclusive, impactful, and human-centered leadership teams.

When Christina isn’t supporting organizations and candidates in their search or facilitating strategic conversations, she actively contributes to the advancement of the field as a board member of SPECN, Co-Chair of University of Pennsylvania’s School Leadership Program Alumni Steering Committee, a member of PEDC, and an engaged participant in networks focused on educational equity and leadership development.

Her favorite question to ask any client or candidate is: “What role or candidate will allow you to have the greatest impact?”That question sits at the center of UNLOCKED’s work, and it reflects Christina’s belief that leadership is about people, purpose, and possibility.

Educational Background:

Principal Certification, University of Pennsylvania, School Leadership Program

M.Ed Reading Specialist, Cabrini University, Graduate School of Education

B.S. Art Education, Temple University, Tyler School of Art