About Krissy Sommerstad
With more than two decades of experience leading corporate and consumer communications for Fortune 500 brands, I bring a calm, strategic and execution-ready approach to high-stakes storytelling. I specialize in building trust through smart, data-driven strategies that elevate leaders, protect reputations and move audiences. As an independent contractor, I often step into interim leadership roles, providing coverage during maternity/medical leaves or in moments of leadership transition.
While serving in agency and in-house leadership roles, I’ve managed integrated global communications planning for Walgreens Boots Alliance and directed executive, corporate, crisis and omnichannel communications for Walgreens. I’ve created and managed consumer storytelling campaigns for UnitedHealthcare, LEGO, Kraft Heinz, Got Milk?, Wrigley, PF Chang’s and Pei Wei among others.
While my experience is global, my approach is audience-centric and grounded in community connection. I collaborate with clients of all sizes, helping to manage change, drive relevancy and move audiences to action. Recent local-market projects include a voter mobilization campaign for Mississippi Market Co-op and River Market Community Co-op, and brand storytelling for Prince’s Paisley Park.
After nearly 15 years in Chicago, I now live "back home" in Minneapolis with my husband Paul and our three young boys. For the past several years I have also served as a family caregiver, offering support to my mom in her role as primary caregiver to my father, who passed from a rare dementia in 2024.
I am active with several local nonprofits, including the Alzheimer's Association, and as an advocate for neurodiversity and accessible early education as an advisor to Chicago's City Elementary. I also am passionate about mentorship and am a founding member of Chief in Minnesota, a private network of women in executive leadership.
Throughout the year, I am proud to dedicate time and expertise to uplifting, strengthening and advocating for my own local communities, including our public school district, and the Greek-American community in Minneapolis and its home of 125+ years, St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church.
Key Competencies
Strategic Leadership & Advisory
- Communications strategy development
- Corporate and executive visibility
- Reputation management and crisis communications
- Change management and transformation messaging
- Global campaign integration and coordination
- Interagency Team (IAT) coordination and management
- Brand-side pitch consulting and agency management
Media, Influence & Storytelling
- Media relations (national, local, B2C, B2B, trade)
- Executive and spokesperson media training
- Influencer strategy development + management
- Social media strategy development, analytics + content creation
- Persuasive communications and voter mobilization
Integrated Marketing & Measurement
- PESO-model communications planning
- Program execution + cross-channel coordination
- Communications measurement and reporting
- Account budget management
Team & Talent Leadership
- Talent recruiting, onboarding and mentoring
- Mentorship and leadership development
- Cross-functional and multi-market coordination and alignment
- Agency and stakeholder collaboration
I hope to hear from you!
Please feel free to contact me via the form below or at krissy@wonderstad.com.
CLIENT EXPERIENCE
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