We kick off our Getting to Know You series with Kris Gallagher. Kris earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska, and began her career as a reporter for The Wichita Eagle-Beacon newspaper in Wichita, Kansas. She left the newspaper to pursue a career in health care communication and marketing for 15 years. In 1996, she joined DePaul University as director of marketing in the advancement division. Today she’s a 24-year veteran and associate director of the Corporate and Employer Outreach program at DePaul.
Kris is also a devoted mother of two sons, a Star Trek fan and an avid volleyball player. Her newest hobby is bird watching. She also enjoys catching the latest plays and musicals.
Please take a few minutes to learn more about Kris. You can also learn more about her career on LinkedIn. Feel free to contact her if you have additional questions.
Tell us about your career at DePaul.
“I’ve had several roles during my tenure. Some have been part time, so that I could have the time to be home with my sons. Others have been full time, but all have been fulfilling. I’m currently the associate director of Corporate and Employer Outreach. Our team partners with corporations to offer graduate and undergraduate education taught on-site, from the MBA to micro-credentials in computer science to bachelor’s completion programs. I’m responsible for analytics and reporting, managing Salesforce, and writing content for websites, email campaigns and other projects.”
What are some of your career highlights?
“I created or co-created several turn-key communication campaigns for hospitals to use when I worked in health care communications. The ‘Elect to Protect Medicare’ won a Gold Quill Award of Merit, my first IABC award. In my time at DePaul, I launched and managed several social media channels, wrote for DePaul Magazine and other publications, and developed a wide range of marketing materials for both admission and advancement.“
How did you become involved with the IABC?
“I joined the Wichita chapter in 1982 as a way to network with other communicators and continue developing my career. I joined Chicago’s chapter in the early 1990s. I’ve always been an active member but now that I’m an empty nester I have time to be part of the board. I’m this year’s secretary.”
Tell us about your family.
“I have two college-aged sons, Brian and Nate. Brian’s my oldest son who’s a lighting design student at DePaul. He’s my ‘indoor’ son because he focuses on theatre and gaming. Nate is the opposite. He enjoys outdoor activities so he’s my ‘outdoor’ son. He’s an Eagle Scout, which is the highest level of Boy Scouts, and a freshman studying mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado in Boulder. I’m proud of the young men they have become.”
What do you like to do for fun?
“I love playing volleyball. My partner and I recently took fourth place in the ‘Queen of the Beach’ tournament (we play doubles). A few years ago my best friend introduced me to birding and I am eagerly working on improving my skills. I also enjoy going to the theater. I’m a proud Trekkie. I can’t get enough Star Trek. I’ve attended several conventions, most recently in Las Vegas, and like to cosplay, which means creating costumes based on characters. I have a blast whenever I attend. I was very excited to meet Sonequa Martin-Green, an actress who gained fame on ‘The Walking Dead’ as well as ‘Star Trek: Discovery,’ at my most recent convention.”
Do you know someone who should be featured in the Getting to Know You series or would you like to be? Please contact Rhonda Carlson.