Episode 18: A Conversation On Changing The Narrative - How Kroger Head of Corp Comms and Media Relations, Kristal Howard Commits To Showing Up As Her Authentic Self And Disrupting The Status Quo

image0 (1).jpeg

Kristal Howard

Head of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, The Kroger Co.

Today’s episode features Kristal Howard, Head of Corporate Communications and Media Relations at Kroger. Kristal completed her undergraduate degree at the University of Houston, studying PR/Advertising, Retail and Consumer Science. With more than 13 years in the PR industry, and roles spanning agency, freelance and in-house for corporate brands, Kristal is very much so a trailblazer in the PR world, most notably named One of the Top 25 African American PR Millennials to Watch in a 2017 Huffington Post feature.

Listen as we discuss Kristal’s journey to leading corporate communications for the world’s third largest retailer, including navigating the competitive dynamics of the PR/Communications industry, the power and importance of using her voice while often being the youngest leader and the only black woman in the room, and why she argues that showing up as your authentic self is your competitive advantage. 

This is another interview that I had the opportunity to record pre-COVID-19 and the most recent Black Lives Matter protests, however the themes and topics we discussed on this episode and the podcast in its entirety are prevalent now more than ever, especially in light of the increased conversation around the treatment of black women in the workplace. 

Additional Notes

Don’t forget to Rate, Review and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play and Stitcher.

Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, and Stitcher.

Myriha Burce