Headquartered in what was the Manchester district’s Spaghetti Warehouse, CRT/tanaka brings the flavor and atmosphere that each day motivates employee and Mass Communications’ alumna Kathryn Glushefski.

Comprised of several noted public relations professionals, which include many VCU alumni, Glushefski found a unique company in the working world at CRT/tanaka upon graduation in May 2010.

“It’s a strange but wonderful feeling to come into a job right after graduating and feel like you can also retire there,” said Glushefski, assistant account executive for CRT/tanaka. “The people, the culture and the work are that inspiring.”

While attending VCU, Glushefski developed relationships with many of her mass communications professors, crediting these unofficial mentors for fostering an environment that nurtured her growth from student to professional. In one instance, Shana Meganck, who was then the instructor for PR production, had a lasting impact on Glushefski’s career through her previous employment at CRT/tanaka.

“I recommended that Kathryn consider interning at the agency because I noticed from having her in class that she was not only hardworking and talented, but also had the perfect personality for a company like CRT/tanaka,” said Meganck.

CRT/tanaka’s “whatcanbe” ethos inspires employees to tap into their “innate goodness” in order to “create greatness” – a philosophy that embodies the spirit of Glushefski’s story.

As a student, Glushefski channeled her creative energies outside of the classroom to create awareness and build momentum for the growing VCU chapter of Invisible Children (NGO), a San Diego-based nonprofit organization that has recently made headlines around its efforts to end the abduction and use of child soldiers in central Africa.

Since joining CRT/tanaka, Glushefski served on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Virginia Alliance account team, which focused on the development of internal and external communications materials, media relations outreach, and social media execution and counsel around the organization’s then recently launched Mentoring Children of Prisoners program.

Glushefski’s work with the Virginia Alliance prompted her to become a Big Sister through the Greater Richmond & Tri-Cities agency, and her weekly lunch-time and recess visits are indication enough of CRT/tanaka’s support and influence of altruism in the community.

And not only does she find value in her work and the culture, Glushefski references her animated coworkers and the bright, lively workspace as being daily motivators.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for where I am,” said Glushefski. “VCU’s professors had the interest in and understanding of what each person was looking for in a career, and the guidance that came from that level of connection is the reason why I ended up with a company that I love.”