When your love of home and work collide, you find ways to give back so your community flourishes and grows. At least that’s Kristie Kruger’s philosophy, and why she invests her time giving back to the Lethbridge business community.
Kristie, who grew up in Vauxhall and graduated from Lethbridge College’s Rehabilitation Services program in 1995, is the new president of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce – an entity that promotes and protects businesses in Lethbridge.
Kristie says she truly loves Lethbridge, and she uses her leadership skills to spread that love. “I think Lethbridge is amazing,” she says. “It’s such a great place to live, and there’s a lot of opportunity for growth. The ability to yell that loudly is kind of awesome! I have a philosophy where change is not created by sitting back and watching other people do it. If there’s something I can do to help, I dig in, and roll up my sleeves.”
Kristie put her philosophy to work right after graduating from the college, when she started working for the Southern Alberta Community Living Association, helping adults with disabilities.
After working in rehabilitation services for 11 years, Kristie was ready for a new challenge and decided to pursue a field she had always been curious about. So in 2007, Kristie became a real estate agent.
“Homeownership is a dream for many people, and in this way, I could empower them to create their dreams,” says Kristie. She launched her real estate career with Century 21, then worked for My Life Realty, and now works for Royal LePage South Country.
Kristie’s time at Lethbridge College helped her see sides of business and professional relationships she had no idea existed. Assisting others through rehabilitation services allowed her to provide residential and vocation supports through inclusion in the community. Most significant to Kristie was the opportunity to serve on the board of the Campus Connections Project at Lethbridge College in 1996 and 1997. This first board experience set Kristie up with a lifelong passion of giving back to the community.
In addition to working as a realtor, Kristie currently serves as vice president on the board of directors for the Alberta Real Estate Association. She has chaired and served on the school council for École Agnes Davidson School, and she also helped create the Lethbridge Rotary Club – Urban Spirits, where she served as its third president.
Kristie says she is energized by her new role as president of the chamber. “By giving back, I learn and grow as a person, and that’s really exciting for me,” she says. “I’m always up for new challenges.”
