
Prepared for:
Alex Severin
Senior Director
Marketing Strategy & Planning
Prepared by:
Krys Ardayfio
Candidate for Chief of Staff to
MH McQuiston


Actionable Insights
From our chat, here’s what resonated about
what makes a Chief of Staff Education effective - and where my experience aligns...
Expertise
I balance deep domain expertise (vertical) with broad, cross-functional fluency (horizontal) as an expert in my lane & as a capable collaborator in any lane. Trained as an economic development professional, I bring depth & breadth to complex challenges.
ROB
I protect the Rhythm of Business by honoring stability, building trust, & encouraging creativity. I observe, assess, & strengthening what works & refine what doesn’t. Trained by a former CoS/CHRO, I learned to minimize disruption while optimizing progress.
STRATEGY
A principal can entrust me with the vision, team, & top priorities (e.g. education, AI, & the market) - to understand it, clarify it, & share it. I implement structures & processes to support execution while leaving room to innovate & enjoy the work.
Ethos
Observe. Build trust & safety.
Enhance what's working & fix what's not.
Philosophy
Freedom to imagine.
Grace to change.
Safety to try.
Strength to fail (or triumph).
April 30, 2026