APCO Worldwide Founder Margery Kraus: A PR Profile
Margery Kraus is no stranger to success. Founding the firm of APCO Worldwide in 1984, she has brought this company from one small office in Washington, D.C. to become the multinational consulting firm that it is today.
With over 600 employees and offices in over 30 countries including Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East and throughout the Americas, APCO specializes in handling crisis management, issue based counsel, and sensitive political issues. As a result of a management buyout led by Ms. Kraus in 2004, it is now the 2nd largest privately owned communication and public affairs firm in the world. It is still headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Ms. Kraus comes by her success naturally. Her Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in political science and public law came from the American University. She’s developed strong interests and accomplishments. They are diversified, philanthropic and international.
While utilizing local expertise, her company now has a recognized unique international perspective. Many of APCO’s executives are former government officials, politicians and ambassadors. Clients include multinational corporations, governments, politicians, associations. and nonprofit organizations.
This specialized approach has earned Ms. Kraus many honors and awards. Recent honors include U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress Corporate Statesmanship Award (2013); Volunteers of America (Greater New York), Spirit of the Founders (2012), the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations’ Agency Mentorship (2012), and Global Thinkers Forum Excellence in Leadership (2012).
In addition to these many kudos in her field, Ms. Kraus was a pioneer “in one of the industry’s earliest practices in corporate responsibility and the development of public/private partnerships.” Before she founded APCO Worldwide, Ms. Kraus assisted in creating and developing The Close Up Foundation.
Sponsored in part by the United States Congress, The Close Up Foundation is a multi-million-dollar educational foundation. She remains active in this foundation as a member of its board of directors.
Other boards and committees of which Ms. Kraus is a member include chairman of the board of the Women’s President’s Organization, trustee of Northwestern Mutual Life, the Catherine B. Reynolds Foundation, the Arthur W. Page Society, and the Institute for Public Relations.
Kraus also serves on the advisory board of Enterprising Women magazine and is a past chairman of the Public Affairs Council and the board of directors of the Council of Public Relations Firms.
In academia, her many activities and accomplishments include serving as a trustee of American University and serving on the advisory board of the J.L. Kellogg graduate school of management at Northwestern University. She is also on the steering committee of that school’s Center for Women.
A tour de force in the public relations world, Ms. Kraus has been a pioneer and is a recognized leader.
