About Krisha

About Krisha

Krisha Chachra is a community relations connector, communications coach, and global travel columnist who hosts webniars to help others with their travel experiences. She believes is in the power of connecting with diverse cultures in new places through the travel experience. She frequently consults with travelers – new and seasoned – to give them insight on how to make more of their adventure.  With degrees in Economics, Journalism and Public Communication, Krisha also is a communications instructor and consultant, coaching those who would like to make more of their relationships and themselves through sharpening their interpersonal verbal and non-verbal skills. She currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Prior to moving to Charlotte, Krisha lived in Blacksburg, Virginia (her hometown) where she was served as an elected to Town Council member for eight years, and two years as Vice Mayor. She is the first Indian-American and first under 40 young professional to serve as Blacksburg’s Vice Mayor. Krisha prioritized creating strong and personal relationships with the local business and entrepreneurial community most significantly in advocating for the IMAX theater at First and Main and the success South Main corridor. She also further connectivity in town by having served on the Broadband Task Force to help support the projects for high speed internet and free Wifi in town.

Krisha is the author of the published book Homecoming Journals: Dreaming Big in a small town, a compendium of essays about growing up in Blacksburg.

Her travel columns have appeared in the premier Lifestyles publication New River Valley Magazine and she was the former Editor of the NRV Social Scene Magazine. She has been a freelance reporter for National Public Radio affiliates in Roanoke, VA and Honolulu, HI. Krisha hosted Virginia’s daily, live, call-in TV show, Blue Ridge LIVE! on Blue Ridge Public Television. Her writing has also appeared in U Magazine, The Honolulu Advertiser, USA Weekend Magazine, Bella Magazine and the Roanoke Times.

Krisha holds degrees from William & Mary and American University and was appointed by Virginia’s Governors Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam to serve on The Board of Visitors at Radford University. Previously, she was appointed to Virginia’s Board of Psychology by former Governor Mark Warner before living in Honolulu, HI where she taught communication and journalism courses at Hawaii Pacific University.

Notably, Krisha is the founding member and President of Downtown Events Inc., a non-profit that produces and organizes the largest monthly young professionals event in Southwest Virginia called “Up on the Roof.” The monthly event, which Krisha has spearheaded for several years, has grown in attendance from 30 people to over 500. “Up on the Roof” has received many accolades and is consistently referred to as the best place to meet people in the region.

Krisha and her husband, Dr. Derek Klinedinst, have a daughter, Mina Kairani Klinedinst.

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