Leading with Heart: Cristal Retana Lule and Kita Hobbs Named Empower Gala Co-Chairs

Cristal Retana Lule, Vice President of Community Relations at Children’s Health, brings a deeply personal connection to Metrocrest Services. As a teenager, she volunteered in the pantry, and later joined the board in 2019 as a city council liaison. Her passion for service is rooted in lived experience:

“Our family once benefited from these services,” Lule said. “Giving back is personal. The stories we hear at Metrocrest remind us that many of us were once in those same shoes. It’s a testament to hope, resilience, and the power of community.”

Lule’s leadership has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2025 Texas Woman’s Foundation Young Leader Award and Dallas Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. Her guiding belief, “Love your neighbor,” reflects her commitment to compassion and equity.

Kita Hobbs, senior area manager at Oncor Electric Delivery, was introduced to Metrocrest Services through her company and mentor, Jerry Bates. She is a dedicated civic leader, actively involved in chambers of commerce, rotary clubs, and leadership programs across North Texas. “

Being able to serve and make a difference in the Metrocrest community is rewarding in itself,” Hobbs said. “Whether it’s helping staff or seeing the faces of those we support, it’s all about connection.”

Currently serving as President of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Rotary Club and an active Metrocrest Services board member, Hobbs’ commitment to her community recently earned her the title of Businesswoman of the Year by the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud graduate of East Texas A&M University and a devoted mother to her daughter, London, who already dreams of following in her footsteps.