Employee Spotlight: Chelsea Punian
Let’s hear it for the one, the only, Chelsea Punian! As Gard’s public affairs account manager since 2021, we’re celebrating her one-year work anniversary by shining a light on her rise to public affairs stardom from a previous life of law.
A graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in international relations, Chelsea headed straight to Lewis & Clark and earned her J.D. However, she found herself drawn more to the laws and policies that shaped court cases than the courtroom itself.
Soon she was hailed chief of staff for Senator Ginny Burdick (a Gard alumna herself!) where she wrote and advocated for legislation like common-sense gun reform, tax improvements and tougher bias crime definitions. No big deal.
Today, Chelsea tackles her client’s litigation, regulation, government and community outreach challenges at Gard with vim and vigor. In addition to her public affairs workload, she successfully manages large communications projects for clients in the environmental, health care and manufacturing sectors, with a focus on community partner engagement.
Chelsea draws inspiration from enacting change behind the scenes, knowing that every individual matters when it comes to effective policy. “From the neighbor next door to a manufacturing plant to the large corporation promoting change within, each plays an important role and deserves to have their voice heard,” she says. We couldn’t agree more.
Raised in San Jose, Calif., at the beginning stages of a Silicon Valley tech boom, Chelsea charged through childhood as a competitive basketball player throughout high school and college. Her sore muscles restored from the healing wonders of streaming Netflix and the magic of endless books – she is now stronger than ever. In another life she would certainly be coaching basketball at a library as a Real Housewife on Bravo (all her favorite things in one).
Chelsea continues to devour a thousand (or 60) books annually while thriving with her husband, Quinn, and dog, Archie (AKA their pride and joy). With that we wish them a happy one-year wedding anniversary and upcoming trip to South Africa! Cheers to another year of amazing accomplishments and boundless adventures.
