Christie Brungardt
Dr. Christie Brungardt is a retired Leadership Studies professor and co-founder of Jana's Campaign, a Kansas-based nonprofit dedicated to preventing gender and relationship violence through education. The organization works with K–8, high school, and college students to deliver evidence-based prevention programs focused on domestic and dating violence, sexual abuse, stalking, healthy relationships, and shifting social norms.
On July 3, 2008, Christie's 25-year-old daughter, Jana, had just completed her first year at the University of Kansas School of Law when she was murdered by her ex-boyfriend. In response, Christie and her husband transformed their family's tragedy into a mission to prevent violence before it occurs. They founded Jana's Campaign in 2009, initially helping pass several pieces of legislation in Kansas before shifting their focus to prevention through education. After identifying and developing prevention curricula, Christie began working in local middle and high schools. Since those early efforts, Jana's Campaign has expanded its reach to 44 states nationwide.
Dr. Brungardt has received state and national recognition for her leadership in preventing gender and relationship violence. Her honors include the Kansas Attorney General State Champion for Victims' Rights Award, the Hays, Kansas Citizen of the Year Award, the DomesticShelter.org Lifetime Achievement Award, the Community Partnership Award from the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Teachers of Nebraska, and the Mary Byron Project's Celebrating Solutions Award. She and her husband were also recognized by President Obama's White House for their innovative regional higher education summits.
