Crystal Borde

Crystal Borde is a Vice President and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Practice Lead at Vanguard Communications, a public relations firm based in Washington, DC. She counsels organizations on better communicating their DEI values and actions within their organizations and communities to be more inclusive and equitable. She puts people first, ensuring that audiences — who they are and what they need — are accurately and fairly represented in strategic communications planning, implementation and evaluation. Since joining Vanguard Communications – a Hispanic woman-owned firm — in 2007, Crystal has worked with non-profit organizations, government agencies, foundations, associations and educational institutions in the areas of health, wellness, energy, environment, education and DEI to foster healthy communities and a thriving planet. In 2021, she was recognized by Ragan and PR Daily as a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion Honoree in the Top Women in Communications Awards and also named by PR News as a Top Woman in PR Changemaker Honoree. Her thought leadership about DEI communication strategies and approaches has been published in Bulldog Reporter and Public Relations Society of America’s (PRSA) PRSay blog and featured in industry panel events, university lectures and conference workshops. Crystal got her B.A. at California State University, Fullerton — College of Communications. She is President-Elect of the PRSA National Capital Chapter Board of Directors and served as a director on the board and DEI Committee chair for three years.