The role of the media has never been more important, especially when it comes to telling stories of important historical events. Context Productions is a media publishing company, focused on creating non-fiction 9/11 content for kids, raising awareness of these events as well as the heroism involved. The firm has achieved success under the leadership of Kristie Kiernan Bouryal who has now been recognized as the Most Influential CEO, 2021 – New York, the USA. We take a closer look to find out more.
For more than twenty-five years, Kristie Kiernan Bouryal has been working in building brands, demand and revenue generation across multiple industries, but it is with Context Productions that she has achieved her biggest success. The role draws on years of expertise in marketing and communications to tell invaluable stories of bravery and heroism to a new generation.
Kristie’s entire life has been built around helping others, and the heroic acts that people perform to protect from harm. The daughter of a retired nurse and a Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) Officer, she knows what it means to be on the front line. Her father, former FDNY Lieutenant John Kiernan, was one of many people who helped to rescue the last man out alive from the rubble of the World Trade Center. Today, they and thousands of others suffer with multiple World Trade Center related illnesses. Telling the stories of that day to those who have never heard them is intended to make a difference to the future.
Kristie’s business is built on real people and real events. Her business is telling not only the story of one of America’s darkest days, but how the people who were there overcame the odds to achieve the remarkable. The story of how everyday people transformed immense evil into something good is one that is not only timeless, but can be told time and time again.
So far, she has been involved in the publication of three books on the topic through Context Productions, and the first “My Buddy’s a Hero — And I Didn’t Even Know It” tells the story of when Kristie’s father shared his 9/11 experience with his grandchildren for the first time. It contains incredible messages for kids that go beyond the bravery of those involved and into valuable lessons of active listening and asking questions of those who were there because real heroes need prompting to tell their stories.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only supported the release of these books as the values and lessons they teach prove to be eternally valuable. The pandemic has left many in education struggling with the day-to-day challenges of maintaining safe environments, securing resources and engaging students. The lessons from 9/11 that apply to COVID-19, or any time of national or global tragedy such as courage, perseverance, resilience, leadership and the fortitude of our American spirit can be found in the pages of the books that Kristie has published.
Throughout her career, Kristie has built brand names for others. She has acted as chief marketing and communications officer of a global healthcare diagnostics company, a global financial and professional services firm, as well as working in senior executive roles for a global information measurement company, dozens of top trade publications and multiple network news organizations. The work she does at Context Productions allows her to put all of this experience into 9/11 remembrance, a cause she feels passionately about. Her success is not just something to be celebrated, but is inspiration to remember those everyday heroes now and in the future.
