With over 30 years of innovation in media/event production, including 17 years at Target Corporation, leading creative and operations teams for “the Target Experience,” Kristina Schatz brings her expertise to the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games as Senior Vice President of Special Events. Previously, she served as Executive Director for the University of St. Thomas, Business in a Digital World (BDW), Opus College of Business, where she pioneered the first immersive virtual reality case study for a new MS in Management program.
Outside of professional endeavors, Kristina’s adventurous spirit led her to diverse experiences, from traveling with a Māori Dance troupe in New Zealand to biking 500 miles through southern China. A dedicated volunteer, she co-founded Yinghua Academy, the Midwest’s first Chinese Immersion School.
My hopes and dreams for the 2026 Special Olympics USA Games are that every athlete feels valued, recognized, and empowered by their Games experience, and that with every event and community encounter, we bring awareness to the Inclusion Movement and spark ideas for action.
As SVP of Special Events for the 2026 USA Games, Kristina takes charge of all non-sport events, from the grandeur of opening and closing ceremonies to the immersive experiences in the fan zone. Her aspiration is for every athlete to find value, recognition, and empowerment throughout their Games journey. With each event and community interaction, she aims to amplify the Inclusion Movement, igniting inspiration for meaningful action.