Meet Our Expert Trainers

Stephine "Steph" Poston is the CEO and Founder of Poston & Associates, LLC, a nationally recognized, award-winning communications and strategy firm. With a deep commitment to purpose-driven work, Steph leads a powerhouse team delivering innovative solutions across health, education, economic development, digital equity, organizational growth, and cultural preservation.

She holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Management and is a certified transformational coach, blending strategic expertise with a holistic, people-centered approach to leadership and change.

A former federal employee and Tribal director with over 18 years of experience in government service, Steph launched her firm with a vision: to amplify voices, elevate communities, and create lasting systems of change. Her expertise spans strategic facilitation, leadership development, public relations, marketing, and high-impact stakeholder engagement. She has advised leaders and organizations nationwide on projects ranging from crisis response to broadband equity, sacred site protection to entrepreneurship.

Steph’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping public campaigns with proven results—such as achieving a 34% Native American call rate on New Mexico’s COVID-19 Crisis Hotline and guiding the culturally responsive launch of the state’s 988 mental health initiative. She also serves as Tribal Liaison for New Mexico’s Office of Broadband Access and Expansion, where she bridges infrastructure planning with meaningful Tribal engagement.

A co-founder of Native Women Lead, Steph currently serves on the TIWA Lending Board of Directors and is the former Chairwoman of the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, which hosts the world-renowned Santa Fe Indian Market. Her work is rooted in community, driven by values, and aimed at creating bold, inclusive futures.

Ms. Kruzel brings over 30 years of distinguished experience in Department of Defense financial management and leadership. A graduate of California State University, Fullerton, she began her career through the Navy’s highly selective Financial Management Training Program.

Following her graduation from the program, Ms. Kruzel advanced into a series of key leadership roles, including Budget Officer, Deputy Comptroller, and Comptroller. Throughout her Navy tenure, she demonstrated a consistent ability to lead with integrity, streamline processes, and support her teams. Her commitment to excellence led to the development of a fully defined financial competency framework for her command—a milestone for which she was honored with the American Society of Military Comptrollers' Meritorious Comptroller of the Year Award in 2018.

Ms. Kruzel furthered her education by earning an Executive M.B.A. from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey and completing advanced leadership programs, including one at the Mendoza School of Business at the University of Notre Dame.

In 2022, Ms. Kruzel came out of retirement to consult with state agencies, where she continues to apply her analytical expertise, process improvement skills, and leadership insight to help organizations grow strategically and accomplish mission-critical goals.

She is also an active executive leadership coach and an EQ-i 2.0 Certified Practitioner—qualified to teach emotional intelligence, administer assessments (EQ-i 2.0/EQ 360), and provide in-depth coaching and interpretation for individuals, leaders, and teams.