Kris Kurtenbach is a trailblazer in education equity communications. With three decades of proven success in strategic communications, Ms. Kurtenbach spearheads change through strategic communications for nonprofit leaders, philanthropists, government officials, education entrepreneurs and educators. With expertise in communications strategy and implementation, facilitation and moderation, and strategic and organizational coaching, she has helped to create seven national and community-based education nonprofits. Ms. Kurtenbach helped to create networks of mayors working for education improvement in two states—California and Arizona—the only such existing networks nationally. She regularly works with leaders to help them achieve result-oriented communications.Ms. Kurtenbach leads an award winning communications agency focused on education. In recognition of the pioneering work for clients and partners, Collaborative is the 2020 recipient of the Communicator Awards for:- Design & Print 2020 Marketing / Promotion Winner for Collateral-Other for client/partner work with Council of Chief State School Officers (Project: The State Education Agency’s Role in Supporting Equitable Student-Centered Learning) and University of Virginia Curry School of Education and Human Development (Project: UVA's Excellence, Impact, and Innovation Infographic)- Design & Print 2020 Marketing / Promotion 2020 Writing Winner Writing-Other for client/partner QED / USAID (Project: 2018 Report to the Ugandan People)- Digital 2020 Social Winner Campaigns & Series-Branded Campaign for client/partner National Society of Black Engineers (Project: #NSBEluv — Daily Social Media Campaigns)- Video 2020 Online Video Winner Campaign or Series-Web Series for client/partner Schoolrunner (Project: Fundraising Secrets Series)Collaborative Communications is an award-winning, education-focused total communications agency. For over two decades, Collaborative has supported leading organizations to improve education and learning as the primary means of increasing social and economic mobility. Through Meetings and Events, Media and Engagement, Organizational Learning, Digital Services and Government Services, our dedicated team of experts create customized solutions for every client project. We're deeply involved in many of the country’s most important education and learning innovations. As one of the pioneers in education-focused communications, our teams help build and sustain the nationwide afterschool movement.