Meet Chris Bolding, Grant Halliburton Foundation’s director of development.
Chris is a Dallas native who spent 25 years in software product management before shifting her focus to mental health advocacy following the loss of her daughter, Eleanor, to suicide in 2021. After volunteering with Grant Halliburton Foundation, she joined the team as director of development to help prevent similar losses in other families. Outside of work, Chris enjoys cooking, traveling, exploring different creative outlets, and spending time with her husband, visiting their daughter in Nashville and son in Chicago.
Here are 10 things to know about Chris!
1. What was your first job?
My first job was selling mistletoe in our neighborhood. Around the holidays, my dad would spot a tree full of mistletoe, climb up on a ladder to gather it, and hand it down to me. I’d trim it into small bundles, tie each one with a red ribbon, and go door-to-door selling them for a dollar. It was simple, festive, and gave me my first real taste of entrepreneurship and connection.
2. What’s your guilty pleasure?
Chili cheese Fritos and reading cooking magazines for inspiration for a fabulous meal. I acknowledge there is some serious dichotomy there.
3. What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Revel in who you are.
4. What’s your favorite movie scene and why?
My favorite movie is “Big Fish.” The film follows a son who grows up frustrated by his father’s constant storytelling - wild, fantastical tales that seem to overshadow real connection. Everyone else is charmed by his father, but the son wants the truth. As the story unfolds, the son comes to understand that his father’s stories weren’t entirely made up. They were his father’s way of sharing his spirit, making meaning, and building a legacy that would outlive him.
My favorite scene is at the end, when the father is dying. The son carries him to the river, just as his father said it would happen. Standing there waiting are all the people from his father’s stories. It blurs the line between fantasy and reality. To me, it’s a beautiful tribute to how stories connect us, live beyond us, and reveal who we truly are.
5. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I saw this meme the other day that said, “I like to think I’m a nice person, but the way I react to the person driving the speed limit in the fast lane says otherwise.” In short, I’m kind of an impatient (some might say aggressive) driver.
6. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
Touched by Thousands of Souls
I’ve always found meaning in connection, whether it’s a deep relationship or a passing moment with a stranger. My autobiography would center around the idea that every person I’ve met, even briefly, has left an imprint. These interactions – big and small – have made my life richer, more interesting, and at times, have simply helped me get through. It’s the people, the stories, and the shared humanity that have shaped who I am.
7. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
Cooking, traveling, reading, exploring various art forms (such as knitting, crocheting, linocut, collage, and painting), live music, and entertaining.
8. What are the top three TV shows you’re watching right now?
Funny Woman, The Residence, and Shrinking
9. Where’s your favorite travel destination and why?
That’s a tough one! I’ve been fortunate to travel to 34 countries through both work and personal adventures, so it’s hard to choose just one favorite. I tend to be drawn more to nature and the outdoors than to typical sightseeing spots, so places like Peru, Vietnam, and Switzerland really stand out for their landscapes and natural beauty. That said, some of the most breathtaking scenery I’ve experienced is right here in the U.S. I’m a huge fan of our national parks and all they offer.
10. Why is Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mission important to you?
We lost our youngest child to suicide in 2021, when she was just 17. She was the kindest soul, full of light, laughter, and love, and she left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. Her death was a devastating shock. Looking back, I believe there were signs that we and others may have missed, which were perhaps subtle, but were there.
That’s why the work of Grant Halliburton Foundation is so important to me. We are equipping people on the front lines – parents, teachers, counselors, and peers – with the tools to recognize the signs of struggle, even when they’re not obvious. We’re saving lives by helping others see what can often be overlooked, and we’re destigmatizing conversations around mental health. I can’t think of a more urgent or meaningful mission.
