Our Mission
Aligned Purpose Agency exists to design and deliver professional, high-impact experiences that address critical social and workforce challenges through strategic convenings, event management, and collaborative partnerships—building healthier, more resilient individuals, organizations, and communities through equity, wellness, leadership, and food sustainability.
We envision communities and organizations strengthened by equitable systems, informed leadership, and sustainable solutions—where families are healthier, individuals are supported, and purpose-driven collaboration leads to measurable, lasting impact.
Our Vision
Meet the Visionaries
Our collective of leaders is dedicated to excellence, transparency, and building lasting social impact through every partnership.
Crystal Harkless
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Michael Johnson
Director of Event Operations
Elaine Johnson
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Crystal Harkless is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aligned Purpose Agency, which she founded with a vision to use meaningful experiences as a catalyst for lasting change. With more than 20 years of experience spanning event management, project leadership, operations, and executive support, Crystal has built a career around bringing people, ideas, and resources together to move meaningful work from vision to execution. Crystal holds a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Computer Technology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and a Master of Business Administration from Strayer University. Her technical foundation has shaped her ability to understand systems, adapt to emerging technologies, and thoughtfully incorporate technology into the experiences she creates. Combined with her business education and professional experience, this gives Crystal a distinctive perspective on the intersection of strategy, technology, people, and execution. Throughout her career, Crystal has led the planning and execution of conferences, executive retreats, corporate events, and virtual and hybrid experiences. Her work has included managing complex projects, budgets, logistics, stakeholder relationships, partnerships, and cross-functional teams, as well as producing initiatives focused on leadership, workplace culture, equity, and community impact. After more than a decade as an entrepreneur and years of helping organizations bring their visions to life, Crystal established Aligned Purpose Agency as a place where her experience in event strategy, organizational leadership, technology, and social impact could come together with a larger purpose. Today, she leads the agency’s strategy, partnerships, and growth while combining thoughtful leadership with a genuine passion for serving people and strengthening communities. At the heart of Crystal’s leadership is the belief that when the right people, resources, and ideas are brought together with intention and purpose, an experience can become more than a moment—it can become a catalyst for lasting change.
Michael Johnson brings more than 20 years of technical and operational experience to his role as Director of Event Operations at Aligned Purpose Agency. A Computer Engineering graduate of North Carolina State University, Michael has built his career supporting complex, mission-critical environments within the military and public safety sectors, with expertise in systems networking, hardware-software integration, technical infrastructure, and problem-solving. At Aligned Purpose Agency, Michael applies that same precision, adaptability, and solutions-focused mindset to event production and execution. He oversees technical operations, logistics, vendor coordination, and onsite execution, helping ensure each experience runs smoothly from planning through completion. Beyond his technical expertise, Michael brings patience, clear communication, and a commitment to service. His expanding work in community-focused roles, including driver education and senior support services, reflects his ability to translate complex information into practical guidance and connect meaningfully with people from diverse backgrounds. Michael’s combination of technical knowledge, operational discipline, and people-centered leadership helps Aligned Purpose Agency deliver experiences that are not only well executed, but thoughtfully designed to serve the people and communities at the heart of our work.
Elaine brings more than 30 years of leadership experience to her role as Director of Strategic Partnerships at Aligned Purpose Agency. Having served as a Health System Specialist and Supervisory Human Resources Management Specialist, she has built a career developing mission-driven, results-focused teams and strengthening the systems that allow organizations and the people they serve to thrive. Educated at Lincoln University and Washington University School of Medicine (Healthcare Administration) in Missouri, Elaine brings a unique perspective at the intersection of public health, organizational leadership, talent and performance management, operational compliance, and public relations. Her experience has equipped her to understand both the internal systems that sustain organizations and the external relationships necessary to create meaningful community impact. At Aligned Purpose Agency, Elaine focuses on cultivating strategic partnerships, strengthening community relationships, and identifying opportunities for collaboration that advance the agency’s mission. Her ability to connect people, organizations, and resources helps transform shared interests into partnerships that support purposeful initiatives and sustainable impact.