With more than 25 years in K-12 education technology, Kris Hagel bridges the gap between innovative technology and effective implementation. As Chief Information Officer of Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Washington, he oversees IT and the school safety and security departments, and leads the district’s pioneering work integrating AI into both teaching and operations.
Along the way he served as Executive Director of Digital Learning, led a district-wide 1:1 device program, modernized infrastructure as Technology Support Supervisor, and expanded the CIO role to include communications. He also served as CTO at 3W Education Consulting Group, building open educational resource solutions.
Kris serves on the CoSN Board of Directors, holds the Certified Education Technology Leader (CETL) credential, and was named a District Administration Top 100 Education Leader in 2025. He speaks nationally, from AASA’s AI Super Summit to Stanford, and contributes regularly to education technology publications.
From the server room to the boardroom.
- Infrastructure
Technology Support Supervisor
Modernized the district’s infrastructure.
- Learning
Executive Director of Digital Learning
Led a district-wide 1:1 device program.
- Open education
CTO, 3W Education Consulting Group
Built open educational resource solutions.
- Now
Chief Information Officer, Peninsula SD
IT, safety and security, and district-wide AI. CoSN Board of Directors.
DA Top 100 Leader
District Administration · 2025Board of Directors
Consortium for School NetworkingCertified Education Technology Leader
Champions Program
GovTech × AWS · 2025
What people call him about.
- AI integration
- Strategic technology leadership
- Digital transformation
- Universal Design for Learning
- Infrastructure modernization
- Change management
- Cloud solutions
- Technology department audits
- School safety & security
- Student phone policy
A peer, not a vendor.
Kris works with districts, education service agencies and edtech organizations that want a sitting CIO’s perspective, and with local businesses getting started with AI.
Schedule a consultationNeed software built rather than strategy? Kris's studio, Hat Rack Group, does application development, integrations and AI-enabled workflows.
Technology audits & peer reviews
An outside look at your IT department, systems and spend.
AI readiness assessments
Where you stand, using the CoSN/CGCS maturity framework.
Strategic planning
Technology plans tied to learning goals, not product lists.
Executive advisory
An ongoing sounding board for superintendents and CIOs.
EdTech company advisory
Paid advisory for edtech teams on how districts evaluate, buy and actually use their products.
Small business AI sessions
Practical AI workshops for chambers of commerce, and one-on-one time with local business owners.
For your program & your producer.
Headshot · Download 
On stage · Download Short bio · 53 words
Kris Hagel is Chief Information Officer of Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Washington, and a member of the CoSN Board of Directors. A District Administration Top 100 Education Leader (2025) and CETL, he leads district-wide AI integration across teaching and operations, and speaks nationally on AI leadership, digital transformation and inclusive technology.
Need something else? Email kris@krishagel.com →Questions people ask first.
Who is Kris Hagel?
Kris Hagel is Chief Information Officer of Peninsula School District in Gig Harbor, Washington, and a member of the CoSN Board of Directors. A District Administration Top 100 Education Leader (2025) and CETL, he leads district-wide AI integration across teaching and operations, and speaks nationally on AI leadership, digital transformation and inclusive technology.
What does Kris speak about?
How to make AI work in real schools, from policy to practice: building a district-wide AI framework, inclusive AI that combines Universal Design for Learning, accessibility and privacy, AI security, preparing teachers for AI, and student phones and screen time. Every talk draws on what Peninsula School District actually learned putting AI to work, including AI agents and district-built tools.
See the signature talksWhat formats are available?
Keynotes, hands-on workshops, panels and fireside chats, and private leadership sessions for cabinets, principals and school boards. He also runs the AI Agent Building Workshop, a half-day, hands-on session where administrators build an AI agent skill around a workflow from their own job.
About the workshopHow do I book Kris for an event?
Email kris@krishagel.com or book a 20-minute call. It helps to include the event name, date and city; who will be in the room and how many; the format you have in mind; and the one thing attendees should walk out with. His next scheduled appearance is FETC 2027 (Jan 26–29 2027, Orlando, FL).
Booking detailsDoes Kris consult for school districts, edtech companies or small businesses?
Yes. He works with districts, education service agencies and edtech organizations that want a sitting CIO's perspective: technology audits and peer reviews, AI readiness assessments, strategic planning, executive advisory, and paid advisory for edtech companies on how districts evaluate, buy and use their products. He also runs practical AI workshops for chambers of commerce and meets with small business owners.
Schedule a consultationWhere can I find his interviews, talks and writing?
The media archive lists 117 talks, interviews, podcasts, webinars and articles since 2023, including talks in 9 states. The writing page collects 12 pieces he wrote, each linked to where it was first published.
Open the media archiveWhere can I get a headshot and bio for a program or press piece?
The press kit on this page has a downloadable headshot, an on-stage photo and a short bio. For anything else, email kris@krishagel.com.
Go to the press kitDoes Kris build software?
Yes, through his studio, Hat Rack Group: application development, integrations and AI-enabled workflows for organizations that need better systems.
Visit Hat Rack Group