Kris Primacio in

Kris Primacio

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Nonprofit CEO at International Surf Therapy Organization
📍 Manhattan Beach, California, United States

Kris Primacio is a business development and sales expert who transitioned into nonprofit leadership, now serving as the CEO of the International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO). She leverages her extensive background in fundraising, sales, and management to grow the surf therapy sector globally. Kris holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington.

Her personal passion for surfing transformed into a professional calling after she discovered its therapeutic benefits while her father was battling cancer. She began volunteering for surf therapy programs and now dedicates her career to advocating for its use as a mental health tool. Kris has mentioned her home breaks are along the East Cape of Baja.

She co-founded ISTO in 2017, which has since grown from eight organizations to a global collective of over 130 programs across 41 countries.

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Experience
29 Years
Current Role
Nonprofit CEO
Job Level
Leadership
Location
Manhattan Beach, California, United States
Personality Overview

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Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

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Priorities

Topics Kris cares about

Surf Therapy
As the CEO of the International Surf Therapy Organization, she is a global advocate for using surfing as an evidence-based therapeutic practice for healing and well-being.
Nonprofit Leadership
Her experience as a CEO, Board Secretary, and Program Manager demonstrates a deep focus on building strategy, fundraising for, and growing mission-driven organizations.
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Career

Work history

1-2019
Nonprofit CEO
International Surf Therapy Organization
10-2017 - 1-2019
Secretary Board of Directors
International Surf Therapy Organization
5-2016 - 5-2019
Program Manager
JIMMY MILLER MEMORIAL FOUNDATION Surf Therapy Nonprofit
2010 - 2015
Western Regional Sales Director
BRAX Fundraising Ltd.
7-2007 - 9-2010
Executive Director of Licensing
GIULIANO RAFFERTY
In the press

Media appearances

Meet Kris Primacio, the CEO of the International Surf Therapy Organization. Featured in American Surf Magazine
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Breaking waves with Kris Primacio CEO ~ South Bay Magazine. Featured in International Surf Therapy Organization (Blue Mind Blog)
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Education
1988 - 1992
Bachelor of Arts
University of Washington
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

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