Texas Diversity Council Recognizes Whataburger’s Elena Kraus as 2022 Top General Counsel Winner
Kraus is recognized for leadership excellence, driving innovation in the legal field while inspiring others to succeed
In her more than 30 years of experience in the legal field, Elena Kraus, Whataburger Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, has demonstrated leadership and vision — navigating what's best for her clients and their people while mentoring the next generation. Today, she is honored for doing just that as a Texas Diversity Council 2022 Top General Counsel award winner, which annually recognizes Texas' top general counsel executives, partners and professionals who exemplify personal and professional excellence.
Prior to joining Whataburger this spring, Kraus served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Walgreens. In addition to leading the organization's legal strategy during record expansion and innovation for the company, she developed Walgreens' high-performing legal team, promoted key initiatives such as the Walgreens Legal Pro Bono program and mentored rising talent across the organization.
Kraus has made a significant impact in her short time with Whataburger, gearing up for the next wave of growth as the company continues to expand its footprint within the United States.
“Being a trusted advisor is not always easy… but it is the highest calling of the legal profession and the most rewarding aspect of the general counsel role,” Kraus says. “It’s about building relationships based on trust, integrity, and a solutions-based practical approach to business problems.”
For the Top Counsel award, the Texas Diversity Council honors General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, Vice President or Associate General Counsel who have demonstrated achievements across the full spectrum of in-house responsibility; performed above and beyond the usual requirements of his or her professional capability; shown commitment to diversity and community well-being; and displayed high integrity and ethical behavior.
Kraus and other honorees will be formally recognized this afternoon at a virtual summit titled “A Firm Foundation: Reaching for Excellence with DE&I.”
The Texas Diversity Council is committed to fostering a learning environment for organizations to grow and leverage their knowledge. Through various events and programs, the organization serves as a resource for diversity best practices and leadership development throughout the state.
Whataburger serves up Goodness 24/7 with a made-to-order, customizable menu of burgers and other favorites delivered just like you like it. Born in Texas and headquartered in San Antonio, we’re celebrating 76 flavorful years of big bites, bold flavors, and even bigger fan love. We’ve grown to over 1,100 restaurants across 17 states, with original-recipe products now found in grocery aisles across the country. Our secret sauce (besides that Fancy Ketchup) is our Family Members - real people serving up real hospitality and meaningful connections in the communities we call home. We’ve landed on Fast Company’s Brands that Matter list, USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, and Newsweek’s America’s Best of the Best. To learn more, shop the Whatastore, or find your nearest location, visit Whataburger.com - or download our app on iOS or Android. Hungry for more? Discover what keeps fans coming back by diving into real stories from Whataburger super fans at stories.whataburger.com.