Chrissie Bonner

Since 2014, Chrissie has been working to transform ambiguity and complexity into clarity and momentum through graphic facilitation. As the founder of Illustrating Progress, she guides teams through dynamic processes that turn abstract ideas into compelling visual narratives, actionable focus areas, and next steps. 

Her unique approach blends creativity with insight into organizational dynamics, helping clients align their visions and navigate change with confidence. 

Chrissie excels at designing and facilitating workshops, creating complex infographics, and developing mapping tools and frameworks that unlock creative potential across diverse teams. 

Her distinctive skill set was cultivated through nearly a decade in institutional philanthropy at The Philadelphia Foundation, supporting the capacity building efforts for over 200 nonprofits in the Greater Philadelphia area. 

Her experiences observing organizational complexity and listening to what matters most to nonprofit leaders and managers became the foundation for Illustrating Progress. 

Chrissie's educational background spans Art History (B.A., Temple University, Tyler School of Art), Arts Administration (M.S., Drexel University), and Organizational Development and Leadership (PCOM), reflecting her commitment to bridging creativity and strategic thinking. 

Born on the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and raised in Virginia's Tidewater region, she relocated to Philadelphia in 1999 and has made the city her creative home ever since.

Her illustration work extends beyond organizational development into publishing, where she has illustrated  And She Came Tumbling Down by Karla Adkins (2022),  Bless this Mess: A Picture Story of Healthcare in America by Dr. Stephen Klasko (2018). She also authored and illustrated Unstuck, a picture book about denial and self-deception (2021), and most recently published  Lean In & Let Go: Tools for Reimagining (2024).

Driven by her belief that human creativity is a powerful force for adaptation and growth, Chrissie continues to live and work in Philadelphia, helping organizations and individuals transform challenges into opportunities.