Crystal Romero

Master Sergeant (Ret.) Crystal C. Romero is a decorated Army National Guard veteran, seasoned entrepreneur, and nationally recognized advocate for veteran mental health and psychedelic policy reform. She served over 16 years, primarily on full-time active duty in New Mexico, holding four Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) and excelling in diverse roles across logistics, public affairs, human resources, and CBRNE operations. Crystal was notably the first enlisted female to serve on the elite 64th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team, supporting major missions including the Space Shuttle Columbia recovery and hurricane disaster relief following Katrina, Rita, and Ike. Her service also included time with the New Mexico Counter Narcotics Task Force and key leadership roles such as Platoon Sergeant, Senior HR Specialist, Joint Substance Abuse Program Coordinator, and Sexual Assault Victim Advocate.

Following her medical retirement, Crystal channeled her lived experience with PTSD, moral injury, and depression into purpose-driven advocacy. She played a pivotal role in the passage of two landmark pieces of legislation: The Brandon Act, a federal law enabling confidential mental health access for service members, and New Mexico Senate Bill 219 (the Medical Psilocybin Act), which established the first state-regulated psilocybin therapy pilot program in the country. In parallel with her advocacy, Crystal has been an entrepreneur since 2012, operating a successful online resale business on Poshmark, where she combines business savvy with creative branding and customer engagement.

Today, she educates military leaders, clinicians, peer support specialists, and academic institutions nationwide on moral injury, trauma-informed care, and psychedelic-assisted healing. She has been a featured presenter at national events including Psychedelic Science 2025 and the UNC Moral Injury Webinar Series. Her affiliations include S&P Global VALOR (Veteran PRG) and West Point's Benavidez Leadership Development Program (BLDP), and she formerly served as the National Legislative Affairs Subcommittee Chair for the LULAC Military & Veterans Initiative. Based in New Mexico and a proud mother of three, Crystal continues to lead with courage, compassion, and integrity; uplifting others while transforming pain into powerful advocacy and purpose.