At Expedia Group, growth often means stepping into the unknown—or, in Kristi Pruitt’s case, returning to where it all began. After nearly a decade with the company, Kristi relocated from Washington, DC to Atlanta, GA to take on a new leadership role as Area Manager. The move marked a full-circle moment in her career and a powerful step forward in her journey as a leader.

Kristi Pruitt | Area Manager, TPA | Atlanta, GA

From Comfortable to Courageous

“A colleague once told me, ‘Kristi, it sounds like you’re comfortable.’ And he was right,” Kristi recalls. “If we’re not uncomfortable, we’re not growing.”

That challenge sparked a turning point. Years earlier, Kristi had turned down a leadership role at another company to join Expedia Group as a Market Manager, knowing the long-term growth potential EG offered. Her relocation to Atlanta was the next bold step in that journey—one that aligned with her passion for leadership and her belief in the company’s ability to support her development.

Packing Light, Moving with Purpose

New Role, New Challenges

Leaving DC wasn’t easy. “It’s where my career truly took root and blossomed,” Kristi says. “I had built an incredible community of friends and colleagues.”

The shift from individual contributor to team leader also came with growing pains. As one of only two market management leaders in the Atlanta office at the time, Kristi had to adjust to a new kind of leadership—and a new kind of solitude. “I leaned on my leadership team and learned how to build community virtually with other leaders across offices.”

Rebuilding Culture, Redefining Success

Kristi’s move coincided with the post-COVID return to office life, giving her a unique opportunity to help rebuild the Atlanta office culture. From improv workshops and professional headshots to monthly social hours, she helped create space for connection and community.

In her new role, Kristi found joy in supporting others’ success. “Cheering on the team and seeing their wins brought a new level of fulfillment to my career.”

A Network of Support

Kristi’s journey was powered by the people around her. “My DC team encouraged me to Go Get What’s Next,” she says. “My leader coached and supported me to get here—and now, that same leader is a peer on my leadership team.”

Her new Atlanta team welcomed her with open arms, reinforcing the inclusive culture that drew her to Expedia Group in the first place.

Finding Home in Familiar Places

Though the move was professional, it was also deeply personal. “Atlanta is actually home,” Kristi says. “It’s where I grew up and went to college. Now, my family is just a short drive away.”

Her return to Atlanta also brought unexpected full-circle moments—like attending the College Football Championship with hotel partners, including one she worked with back in DC. “Home isn’t a physical location—it’s where you find community and support.”

Advice for Future Movers

Kristi’s advice to anyone considering a relocation? “Choose fearlessly and go for it. If someone’s offering you a role with relocation, take it as a massive compliment—they see your potential and trust your ability to thrive.”

And most importantly: “You take you wherever you go.”

A Move That Meant More

Returning to Atlanta wasn’t just a relocation—it was a homecoming with purpose. “It was deeply meaningful to return to the city where I started my career and be the leader I know I needed early on,” Kristi says.

That purpose was recognized in a big way: after her first full year in the role, Kristi was named North America’s 2023 Area Manager of the Year.

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