Chrissy Kruger-Gruendyke, CWC-FPRA President 2005
Hello Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA! Chrissy Kruger-Gruendyke here. It’s been a long time! Twelve years this Labor Day weekend to be exact. Back in September 2008, with a new baby in tow, my husband and I relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our daughter, Hannah was 6 months old. Not only was the move extremely scary because of the whole “new parent thing,” but we knew not a soul in Milwaukee, I had no job and, well to be honest, up until then I’m not sure I knew exactly where Milwaukee was on a map!
Talk about a change! The weather being among the most diverse. Thankfully I was used to being climate controlled for most of the year anyway — although in Florida it was with air conditioning while in Milwaukee we show our heaters most of our appreciation. Side note: I was finally able to use my car seat heaters (I never thought those would be useful!).
Climate adjustments aside, the move was a fabulous change for our little family. We quickly made friends and settled into our new community. My career took a wild turn. Previously, I was the Chief of Marketing and Communications for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. I was very active in CWC-FPRA holding several board positions including President (2005-2006). I liked my job and I think I was good at it, but I REALLY loved my time in FPRA.
I learned a lot from some incredible people in the CWC chapter and I always felt supported and championed by other members. These were people who were extremely accomplished in their career and they accepted me into their fold. It made me believe in myself and want to do better in my job and for the professional as a whole. I am still so grateful for their mentoring and friendship. Legends like Ginya Carnahan, Joe Curley, Jennifer Moss, Erin Duggan, Lynn Hobeck Bates and Erin McLeod where just some of
my favorites. The relationships I built with all the active members of our chapter as well as state-wide were memorable and important. The camaraderie among the organization was often a life saver for us overworked, stressed out, up-against-a- constant-deadline, but driven, ambitious and talented professionals.
In Milwaukee, I worked my way into the PR world via the local PRSA chapter as well as with freelancing. But my passion for PR was fading and within a couple years I shifted gears completely by starting my own photography business — a new adventure altogether. I was attempting to build something out of nothing. That “nothing” has grown tremendously and I am celebrating 10 years as a professional photographer in 2020. But if I thought I was going to be free of public relations altogether, the joke was on me because I am doing public relations practically every day! Every aspect of my business is rooted in communications and relating to my public. And as a sole business owner this girl is always pitching a story, making a sale, writing copy, managing multiple social media feeds, buying ads, balancing a budget, developing campaigns, approving graphics, working up talking points and the list goes on. Only now I don’t have the opportunity to prepare Image Award applications for my success – ha!
Twelve years have brought about so many changes in the PR industry. I often wish I still had my FPRA crew to retreat to for new knowledge and idea sharing. From my time in the other public relations association and exposure to other PR teams and atmospheres, I learned that FPRA and especially the central west cost chapter is exceptional and unique. The group was always welcoming and encouraging; approachable yet still raising the bar in the profession; and always growing and thriving, but never too big to shut out a new face or new idea. Even when that newby was greener than the patinaed bronze statue of David, like mine was when I first joined the CWC chapter in 2002.
I have many more goals to reach in the coming years including establishing a creative studio for female entrepreneurs in the Milwaukee area, launching a Podcast and becoming a published author. I know any success I achieve is only possible because of the many people and experiences that have impacted my life leading up to this point with my time in the CWC chapter of FPRA among the best.