BIRTHDAY OF THE DAY: Chrys Kefalas, VP of brand strategy at the National Association of Manufacturers
How/where are you celebrating your birthday and with whom? “Three things are most important to me: people who choose to be in my life in a meaningful way, my Greek heritage -- and Barry’s Bootcamp. And I’ll get to celebrate my 40th birthday with all three, starting at Barry’s Bootcamp with awesome instructor Stephen Klagholz and ending with dinner with family and friends at Komi.”
How did you get your start in your career? “I wanted to be in public service after my second grade teacher, Mrs. Cernick, spent some time talking about the Kennedys, and in particular Robert F. Kennedy. I remember deciding then, and telling my parents, that I wanted to be a lawyer. And for the first chapter of my career I was. But then my career began a second chapter in communications and public affairs when Riley Roberts, then-Attorney General Eric Holder’s chief speechwriter, gave me a chance to serve as a speechwriter to the nation’s 82nd attorney general. And the team at the National Association of Manufacturers has just given me an incredible opportunity to be part of something transformative, to be creative and to serve this industry and our country in a very different and exciting way.”
What’s an interesting book/article you’re reading now or you’ve recently finished? And why? “‘The Creative Curve,’ by Allen Gannett. In my field, we all strive for that genius moment that helps us break through and reach people more effectively. What Allen did is really show that it’s not so much about that one ‘moment,’ but about many moments of consuming information and having experiences that get you in a place of creativity.”
What’s a trend going on in the U.S. or abroad that doesn’t get enough attention? “The consolidation of local radio in the hands of a few key players. Thankfully, my husband, Tommy McFly, and his co-founder, Kelly Collis, are giving people who love their local radio shows, and that sense of community and connection, an option: the Tommy Show app.”
How’s the Trump presidency going? “It’s been 980 days since President Donald J. Trump took office.”
What’s a fun fact that people in Washington might not know about you? “I once ran a sports magazine.”
