Kristi Mendenhall

Sonder Brewing, 2026 Rising Star Finalist

Every gem has something that makes it shine. What would you say is your greatest strength or “sparkle,” and how does it show up in your/your organizations work?

As a child, I was always taught to be the first one to say hello, and somewhere along the way, that became a passion of mine. I’ve always strived to create an approachable, safe space and a welcoming vibe where people can truly be themselves around me. I try to remember people are just people—and we are all in this together so why not meet each other where we are at and combine efforts!

Bringing people together brings me joy and I feel so lucky to have a job that gives me the creative freedom to do just that. It’s not just about the transaction of providing space, food, and beverages—it’s about creating a family-friendly space for those in our community to gather, connect, and feel welcome and remembered.

The authentic, long-term partnerships I’ve built through both work and life are some of the greatest gifts I’ve been given. I can’t imagine what I might have missed without the simple life lesson I learned so early on: sometimes, all it takes is being the first one to say hello.

A Bit About Kristi Mendenhall

At the heart of everything I do is one simple belief: we are stronger together. With over 20 years of experience in events and building lasting partnerships, I strive to create unique experiences that bring people together. My greatest joy comes from seeing people connect, making them feel welcome, and creating spaces where they feel safe to show up, relate, and thrive in their own way.

Outside of work, you can find me embracing my new promotion to great auntie—a title I hold dear, as my nine nieces and nephews are some of my favorite people in the world. I love connecting with others, whether that means striking up a conversation with a stranger from any walk of life, spending time with friends and loved ones, or discovering hidden gems in our city and beyond. My friends play a little game of 6 degrees of Kristi Mendenhall and claim I can put Kevin Bacon to shame at his own game. I’m always ready to travel at the drop of a hat, and there’s a good chance you’ll find me singing along to just about any song wherever the adventure takes me. There’s a whole big world out there, and I want to enjoy it all!

Learn A Bit More

What does being part of the Mason-Deerfield business community mean to you?

Share 2–3 fun facts about you/your organization that people in the MADE community might not know.

If your company culture, or personal persona, had to be summed up in five words or less, reflective of a
gemstone, what would they be?

Truth? I want us ALL to win. The relationships and being part of something much bigger than myself is why I’m here. I believe we are stronger together when we support, share opportunities, & celebrate the successes of our neighbors. When one of us succeeds, we all benefit, and when we lift each other up, our entire community becomes stronger. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a network of individuals and businesses that together bridge gaps in the community.

1I carry a deep belief in my heart that we as the human race are all creative beings. We bring that into our work, home, and social lives. I have a lengthy background in music and I currently am involved with a weekly art journaling community. Music, arts, and other activities are such an important outlet and no two are the same. They engage young and old alike and that is what Sonder is about. Bringing people together and embracing their individuality. I get to partner with a variety of creative individuals including musicians, artists, and small business owners. I know the tremendous impact they’ve had in my life and I want to make them accessible to our community. In my opinion, hosting these events is a form of therapy for our community! They’re much more than just a project class or a jam session, they encourage everyone to enjoy the moment, build memories that last, and to find a way to channel the stresses of everyday life.

Traveling is an absolute passion of mine. I’ve been known to travel solo or with others, but no matter how I travel, I love fully immersing myself in different cultures,conversations, experiences, and cuisines. I believe there is something incredibly valuable about stepping outside of our everyday lives, experiencing new perspectives, and appreciating what makes every place and person unique. As most of you know, Sonder by definition is about celebrating our uniqueness. The absolute beauty of my role is I get the privilege of making each event unique by celebrating the powerful differences in the people, partnerships, and experiences behind them.

Growing up with a huge family on a large farm engrained a deep appreciation for animals and the simple things in life. I’m always the crazy person on vacation paying to hold a native animal for a photo. It’s just who I am. I brought my love of animals and chaos to Sonder with me and we’ve booked some highland cows multiple times. Those events have been my favorite so far. We brought the cows, and our community brought the crowds. I’ve loved supporting a local farm and family as well as seeing the joy it brought to so many people of all ages.