Kris Cole
Managing Director
Los Angeles
Kris Cole brings eight years of specialized corporate communications experience to clients ranging from hedge funds to infrastructure investors and real estate financiers to non-bank lenders. Her core practice areas include corporate restructurings, crisis management, litigation support, corporate reputation building, media relations, executive thought leadership, shareholder activist defense, M&A and investor relations.
Currently, Kris focuses on advising companies pursuing Chapter 11 bankruptcy or out-of-Court restructuring cases; developing crisis communications preparedness programs; assisting companies in crisis communications response; developing full scale communications programs for professional services and financial services firms; and M&A counsel.
Prior to joining Prosek, Kris worked for Abernathy MacGregor, a strategic communications firm, where she provided counsel on large corporate transactions, high profile litigation, crisis communications, reputation management and thought leadership. Past clients include Pacific, Gas & Electric; City National Bank; Acxiom; and Bird Marella, representing the producers of The Walking Dead in their lawsuit against AMC Networks.
Q & A
What are you most proud of in your public relations career?
I’m most proud of the relationships I’ve built across industries and my work with the Prosek teams I manage. I see every engagement as a team sport – we work as a team and we win as a team.
Name one thing most people don’t know about you.
In high school, I played on the volleyball team that won a California state championship, and I continue to play volleyball every weekend on the beach.
How would your mother describe you?
Strong-willed and goal-oriented.
What are your greatest strengths as a public relations practitioner?
Be willing to challenge the consensus view while keeping an attitude that our goal is always to “get to yes.”
What is your favorite food?
Homemade gnocchi with fra diavolo sauce or sushi.
Describe your perfect client.
My perfect client treats me like an extension of their team, rather than an external party, knowing I can do my best work if I have a full vision of the organization’s priorities, processes and operations. I want to be as involved as possible so I can support everyone’s collective mission.
What three hobbies or activities do you enjoy most?
Pilates, hikes with my dog, and reading fiction.
What’s your favorite part of the workday?
Receiving unexpected calls from clients who want to bounce ideas around.
Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (I wish!)
What is your favorite quote?
“Be hard on the problem and soft on the person.”