Cristo worked as a certified nursing assistant, behavioral technician, medication technician, and bank teller. Through her experiences as a CNA and Medication Technician, she had the opportunity to serve the elderly population, including Veterans with mental health concerns such as dementia, depression, PTSD, and schizophrenia. Moreover, her role as Behavioral technician granted her the privilege to work with autistic teens. She joined the Alegria family in January 2019 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), a role she held for five years. She has never felt more at home doing anything else. That experience solidified her passion for serving others, and since then, She has been committed to gaining as much clinical knowledge and hands-on experience as possible.

While working full-time, she enrolled at Diablo Valley College and dedicated herself to completing the prerequisites for nursing. In December 2021, she earned her Associate of Science Degree in Allied Health from DVC. Fast forward to 2024, she made the difficult decision to step away from her role as a DSP after being accepted into Lassen Community College’s nursing program. Although she was excited to begin her nursing journey, she quickly realized how rigorous the program was. On top of the academic demands, being far away from her family added another layer of challenge. She returned to work at Alegria and applied for the Lead Staff position in 2025.

Overall, these experiences prompted her to realize that unity is diversity, and that together, the healthcare system along with all the professionals at different levels of the field serve as a powerful tool that directly impacts and transforms the lives of individuals, communities, and societies at large.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and husband, traveling, exploring nature, and relaxing with her dog while watching crime-related series on Netflix.