Changing the way the world thinks

Christopher Foltz has been called one of the top brand social impact strategists in the world. With a client and relationship roster that reads like a who’s who list of business and society, to his brands involvement with noted events like Fashion Focus, the Healthy Initiative, the RUN! to End Homelessness. and a seemingly endless list of charity benefits, —- it’s hard to go far in Chicago without hearing Chris Foltz’s name or seeing evidence of his company’s impact.

From his roots in national politics, to a battle with drug addiction, incarcerated rehab, and losing everything to the point of homelessness, Chris has re-established himself as an international leader in the brand strategy, public relations, and marketing industries. Specializing in strategic partnerships, brand and message development, and corporate give-back programs, Chris has served as a brand catalyst for many global industry leaders, corporations, start-ups, entertainers, and athletes. Foltz is also an award winning producer with experience in radio, television, motion picture/documentaries, and special events.

Chris serves on many expert panels in addition to serving as an analyst and feature subject on radio and both network and cable television. As part of Foltz’s ongoing mission to change the way the world thinks, his Chicago based firm, Christopher Foltz Collaborative,L3C is committed to social responsibility, the global community, and connecting clients to their desired customer base. Foltz started his company in 2010 with the last $140 he had to his name, and is now President to one of the fastest growing communication strategy firms in the country. Chris’ firm has been recognized throughout the nation for their philanthropy and as one of the first agencies to require charitable give-back models amongst their entire client roster. In 2013, Foltz’s firm was the first public relations/communication strategy firm in America to reincorporated as a Low Profit Limited Liability Company (L3C) Social Business Enterprise. Foltz’s commitment to social impact was solidified through the move of the company headquarters from a loft in Chicago’s trendy River North neighborhood, to a ground level storefront in a developing region in Chicago’s Near West Side Tri-Taylor neighborhood in the Illinois Medical District.

Chris has had the opportunity to work with a who’s who list in society. Some of these include A Safe Haven Foundation,  ACT! Software Co-Founder Mike Muhney, Chicago’s Favorite Mom Shea Vaughn, Miss Illinois USA’s Humanitarian Award winner and media personality Jennifer Christenson, Internationally renowned radio host Erich “Mancow” Muller, Chicago’s downtown 2nd Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti, Celebrity Reinvention Expert Lisa Lockwood, America’s “Greenest” Restaurant Uncommon Ground, and the worlds largest underground parking system Millennium Garages. When it comes to the political arena, Foltz has worked with the likes of President George W. Bush, Senator Elizabeth Dole (NC), and Governor Haley Barbour (MS) all the way to serving as a spokesman during the 2010 Chicago Mayoral elections. After a political hiatus, Foltz returned in the 2009 consolidated elections, winning all four contested campaigns he participated in.

The Early Years and Republican Party Politics

A former Republican Party leader during his undergraduate career, Chris had the honor of serving as Chapter Chairman, State Chairman, Midwest Caucus Leader, National Marketing Director, and National Board Member for the College Republican National Committee. During Foltz’s College Republican leadership tenure, he was responsible for the largest growth in Illinois College Republican Federation history by fostering 38 new college level organizations in Illinois, creating a statewide minority outreach program, and bringing Illinois to national recognition as a pillar of state organizations at the College Republican National convention in Washington D.C. Chris also served on the student advisory committee to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Student Body Comptroller, President of the Delta Chi Fraternity, and countless campus and community activities. During his tenure as president of his fraternity, Foltz’s chapter was featured in USA Today, and received national recognition for their outstanding philanthropy program. Ending his undergraduate studies in 2003, Foltz was honored with inclusion on the National Deans List, listed in Who’s Who of Americas Colleges and Universities four consecutive years, and selected for membership in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. During his senior year Foltz was ranked amongst the top ten debaters in the United States competing in National Educators Debate Association collegiate debate. Chris is also a graduate of the international renowned The Washington Center internship program.

Life Changing Experience

After leaving professional politics, Foltz returned to his home town to aid his mother who was suffering from terminal cancer. During this time Chris chose the road less traveled which resulted in a drug addiction. His mother passed away and Foltz spent the next four months in court ordered, incarcerated rehab. Upon successful completion he moved to Waukegan, Illinois to spend the next 6 months residing in the Oxford House independent living program. Oxford House provides safe, drug and alcohol free living environments for people starting their lives over on the right foot. After getting a job as a server at a fine dining restaurant in the Chicago Suburbs, Foltz worked with a team of people he met in the Oxford House program to expand the Grand Experiment Charities. Grand Experiment successfully opened several “Oxford style” houses around Greater Chicago. “If it wasn’t for the Grand Experiment Charities showing me how to take my past and affect other people’s futures in a positive way, I would never be here today.” Foltz stated in a recent interview.  ”Of all the amazing opportunities I have had in my life, the people I’ve met, and things that I have learned, I enjoy talking about the road I went down, and the path I ultimately chose to get where I am today.”

Chris is currently involved in Democratic politics and has served as both a political strategist and community organizer for Chicago’s 2011 Mayoral election. He is a member of the Young Democrats of America and served as a delegate and credentials committee member at the 2009 National Convention. In the fall of 2011 Foltz was named to the National Finance Committee of Generation 44, the young professionals arm of President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign.

In the Community

In late 2009, Chris was nominated by the Mayor and appointed by the Board of Trustees as Chairman of the Community Relations Commission for the Village of Deerfield, Illinois. The Community Relations Commission studies and recommends means of developing better relationships among all residents in a diverse and inclusive community encourage residents to be “service-oriented” in the opportunities to assist one another in the community and the neighborhood. The commission also promotes and supports initiatives with federal, state and local governmental agencies, commissions, businesses, schools, civic and religious organizations, neighborhood and community events aimed at increasing goodwill and civic engagement among the residents and the global community at large.  At the age of 28 at confirmation, Foltz is the youngest commission chairman in the Village of Deerfield’s history. In addition to his local involvement, Foltz has also served as an advisor to the Governor appointed Chairman of the Illinois Council on Responsible Fatherhood.

Foltz has been a member of the American Association of Political Consultants, American League of Lobbyist, Kiwanis International, Illinois Police Association, Young Democrats of Illinois, Deerfield Caucus Nominating Committee Chairman and Caucus Advisory Board Member, Deerfield Family Days Committee, Chicago’s Second Ward Democratic Organization, and is a Master Mason and member of the Ben Hur Lodge of the A.F.A.M. Chris has been nominated for inclusion in the publication of Cambridge Who’s Who in America, a yearly compilation of leaders in their field throughout the nation. Foltz has been featured in multiple newspapers, online publications, and media programs throughout the world and has the opportunity to speak across the nation on life, leadership, and organizational development. Foltz has recently shared the docket with Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, Apprentice star Bill Rancic, and  New York Time’s Best Selling Author Steve Kaplan.

Philanthropy

In addition to serving as an advisor to many non-profit and socially conscience organizations across America, Foltz also has the honor of sitting on the board of directors for Chicago television personality Jane Monzures’ LIVE LOVE LIFE charity, former Vice President of the Board of Directors for Chicago suburban based charity, Normal Moments, a 501c3 nonprofit organization focusing on the family needs of critically ill children across the country.  In March of 2012 Foltz was elected President of the Associate Board of Directors for A Safe Haven Foundation, an internationally recognized non-profit focused on life recovery and the eradication of homelessness across the nation.  In addition, Foltz serves on the development board for the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund, Share Your Soles Foundation, and the board of directors for Chicago based healthcare non-profit and Clinton Global Initiative commitment Project HUGS (Helping Uninsured Get Surgery). Chris also serves as an advisor to the Deerfield Key Club, a community-based service organization that is built around leadership and service opportunities.

Chris resides in both Chicago’s Loop and the North Shore Village of Deerfield. Christopher Foltz Collaborative’s office is located in Chicago’s River North Neighborhood.