You probably recognize her face if you’ve lived in Omaha for more than a minute. For nearly a decade, she was the one coming through your television screen on KETV NewsWatch 7. But these days, if you’re looking for Kristyna Engdahl, you won't find her behind a news desk at 6:00 PM. Instead, she’s become a massive force behind the scenes—and occasionally in front of the mic—at Hurrdat, a powerhouse media and marketing firm that's basically swallowing the local scene in the best way possible.
The transition from broadcast journalism to the corporate world is a well-trodden path. It makes sense. You learn how to talk to anyone, you learn how to write on a deadline, and you learn how to handle a crisis without breaking a sweat.
But with Engdahl, it feels a bit different. She didn't just take a "comms job" and disappear into a cubicle. She moved into a role where she’s literally redefining how Omaha tells its own stories. As an Associate Vice President at Hurrdat, her fingerprints are all over the city’s newest redevelopment projects and digital media pivots.
From KETV to the Heart of Omaha's Growth
Let’s be honest: being a news anchor is exhausting. It’s a grind of late nights, breaking news about things that often make you sad, and missing out on family time. Engdahl was open about this. When she left KETV after fifteen years in the industry (including her time in North Platte at KNOP-TV), it was about balance.
She wanted to be home for dinner. She wanted to watch the fireworks with her kids instead of reporting on them from a parking lot.
Before landing at her current home, she spent a significant chunk of time as the Vice President of Communications for the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA). If you’ve been to a concert at CHI Health Center, a game at Charles Schwab Field, or walked through the massive transformation that is The RiverFront, you’ve seen her work. She was the one standing at the podium during the groundbreaking ceremonies. She was the voice of the venues that define Omaha’s skyline.
What Does Kristyna Engdahl Do at Hurrdat?
Now, things have shifted again. At Hurrdat, Engdahl isn't just a spokesperson; she’s a strategist. Specifically, she works across Hurrdat ONE and Hurrdat x Lukas Partners.
Lukas Partners has been around for over 40 years. They are the "old guard" of PR in Nebraska, known for crisis management and high-level strategy. Hurrdat, on the other hand, is the "new guard"—digital-first, social-media-savvy, and aggressive in its growth. Combining those two worlds is a big task.
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Engdahl’s focus is on something called "community storytelling."
Basically, she’s trying to fix the problem where local news feels disconnected or boring. Through Hurrdat ONE, she’s helping build a platform that covers Omaha culture, food, and business in a way that feels more like a conversation and less like a lecture. It’s hyper-local. It’s personality-driven. Since she joined, the social media following for Hurrdat ONE exploded—doubling on Instagram and TikTok in just a few months. That doesn't happen by accident.
The Projects You've Likely Seen
If you scroll through her recent work, it’s a mix of hard-hitting community interest and "things to do" guides. She’s written about:
- The new $20 million Omaha Youth Center.
- How a local factory is creating jobs for blind workers.
- The history of the College World Series (a staple for anyone in this zip code).
- Unique local gift shops and date night spots.
It’s a weirdly perfect blend. She’s using her journalism roots to find the "hook" but applying it to a modern marketing landscape.
Why the "Mailto" Search is Actually About Access
If you’ve been searching for Kristyna Engdahl mailto: hurrdat, you’re likely trying to find a direct line for a media inquiry or a partnership. In the world of PR and marketing, she’s a gatekeeper. But she’s a gatekeeper who actually understands what makes a good story.
Most PR people send out dry press releases that end up in the "trash" folder. Because Engdahl spent years receiving those bad emails at KETV, she knows how to write the ones that actually get opened.
She’s often the bridge between a brand that wants attention and a community that is tired of being sold to. Her approach is built on "meaningful connection." It sounds like corporate speak, but in a city like Omaha, where everyone knows everyone, being authentic actually matters. If you’re fake, people smell it immediately.
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The Hurrdat Ecosystem
You can’t really talk about Engdahl without talking about what Hurrdat has become. It’s not just an agency anymore. It’s a sports bar. It’s a podcast network. It’s a film production house. It’s a merch company.
They are building a "one-stop-shop" where a brand can come in, get a logo, get a website, have a podcast produced, and then have their launch party at a Hurrdat-owned venue.
Engdahl is a key piece of this puzzle because she brings the "Earned Media" expertise. While the agency side can buy ads (Paid Media) and the social side can post on TikTok (Owned Media), Engdahl knows how to get a brand mentioned in the actual news or talked about by influencers (Earned Media). That's the hardest part of marketing to master.
Real-World Impact: More Than Just Clicks
A lot of digital marketing is just noise. People chase "impressions" that don't actually mean anything.
What’s interesting about the work coming out of the Hurrdat ONE team right now is that it’s driving actual foot traffic. When they highlight a local shop or a new redevelopment project in the Blackstone District, people actually show up.
Engdahl’s background in broadcast gives her a sense of "pacing." She knows when a story is dragging and when it needs more visual punch. This is why you see her involved in "Summer Series" events where podcasts are brought to a live stage. It's about taking the digital and making it physical.
Actionable Insights for Your Brand
If you’re looking at what Kristyna Engdahl has done and wondering how to apply it to your own business or career, here are a few takeaways that aren't the typical "post three times a day" advice:
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1. Stop Pitching, Start Storytelling
If you want local media coverage, don't send a flyer. Find the human element. Engdahl's most successful pieces at Hurrdat focus on people—the workers at the factory, the students at the youth center, the founders of the shop.
2. The "Bridge" Role is the Most Valuable
Engdahl’s value comes from being the translator between two worlds (Journalism and Marketing). Figure out where two industries overlap and become the expert in that intersection.
3. Authenticity is a Currency in the Midwest
Omaha is a big city that acts like a small town. The reason Engdahl has stayed relevant is that she maintained her reputation. She didn't "sell out"; she just changed the platform.
4. Diversify Your Mediums
Don't just write a blog post. Can it be a TikTok? Can it be a live event? Can it be a podcast guest spot? The growth at Hurrdat happened because they stopped thinking in silos and started thinking about an ecosystem.
If you’re trying to reach her for a collaboration or a media pitch, the best way is usually through the official Hurrdat or Lukas Partners contact channels. They are headquartered right here in Omaha on John Galt Blvd.
Kristyna Engdahl has essentially proved that there is a second act for local journalists that doesn't involve moving to a bigger market or leaving the industry entirely. You just have to be willing to rethink what a "story" looks like in 2026.
To see the latest projects she's working on, you can check out the "Omaha Stories" section on the Hurrdat ONE website. It's probably the best example of where local media is heading—less "if it bleeds, it leads" and more "here's why our city is actually pretty cool."