CHrissie Bonner

Chrissie was born in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and spent most of her formative years in the Tidewater region of Virginia. 

In 1999 she moved to Philadelphia, PA, and studied Art History at Temple University, Arts Administration at Drexel University, and Organizational Development and Leadership at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

She initially applied her education and interests to a career in institutional philanthropy at The Philadelphia Foundation, serving over 200 nonprofits in Greater Philadelphia for almost a decade. She became increasingly curious about the interconnections between organizational culture, creativity, and adaptation through her conversations with hundreds of nonprofit leaders and staff. 

Chrissie still lives in Philadelphia and, since 2014, has enjoyed her work as the Principal and Founder of Illustrating Progress, which has grown from a one-person practice to an agency that includes several highly skilled and diverse artists and professionals from across the globe. 

Her interest in illustration is rooted in cultivating the mindsets necessary for change and designing environments for people to be creative. She is passionate about hosting spaces for reimagining, deep listening, and creativity. 

She has also illustrated several books, including And She Came Tumbling Down by Karla Adkins (2022), and Bless this Mess: A Picture Story of Healthcare in America by Dr. Stephen Klasko (2018). 

She also wrote and illustrated Unstuck, her picturebook about denial and self-deception (2021), and most recently published Lean In & Let Go: Tools for Reimagining (2024).