The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education has approved Dr. Kristina Mason as the new Interim Chief of Schools and Chad Williams as the new Executive Director of Safety, Security, and Emergency Management.

Mason has more than 20 years of leadership experience in education, working as a teacher, a principal, a director of curriculum and instruction, a director of teaching and learning, and a chief of talent and professional growth systems. She’s also the founder of Kristina Mason LLC, which provides organizational strategy, leadership development, and executive coaching for district, state, and national education clients. A Walkertown resident, she looks forward to bringing a local connection to the WS/FCS community she will serve.

Mason holds an Educational Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Washington, a Master of Education in Education Leadership from the University of Alaska at Anchorage, a Master of Arts in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She begins her new role later this month.

Williams has been Director of Security for WS/FCS since 2024. In his position, he’s coordinated a comprehensive school safety and security program, which includes working with local law enforcement agencies to monitor and coordinate school resource officers. Prior to that, he spent over 28 years serving in various positions with the City of Greensboro Police Department, including as a captain and as an executive officer for the support bureau.

Williams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from East Carolina University, a BLET Certification from Pitt Community College, and a Criminal Investigation Certificate from the North Carolina Justice Academy. He has also completed the Administrative Officers Management Program at North Carolina State University and the Senior Management Institute for Police at the Police Executive Research Forum in Orlando, Florida. He begins his new role later this month.