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1. What drew you to 91�㽶��Ƶ? 

My high school art teacher had gone to 91�㽶��Ƶ and was a huge support to my college consideration and application experience. I originally majored in Visual Communication Design and looked at the top schools in the U.S. that weren’t only art schools. I went to Kent and felt at home right away. Beyond offering a great program for the majors I was interested in, the college tour, art scholarship competition, Founders Scholarship competition, and Honors College were all factors that contributed to me applying.

2. What were some of your most memorable and meaningful student media experiences? 

Our advisor, Russ Lynn, had nicknames for all of us and was very encouraging throughout our sales growth. We celebrated everything from birthdays, the start or end of the semester, and major milestones and wins. In 2004, we sold so many ads for the Fall Orientation issue, the editorial team was able to add more content! The Student Media awards banquet were always team celebrations with honors such as MVP sales rep, best new sales rep, etc. In Spring of 2005, the sales team went to New Orleans for the national college sales conference and met other student sales reps as well as major publishers such as Gannett. (We also made many memories on Bourbon Street that year.)

3. How did being part of Student Media prepare you for post-graduation life and the working environment? 

The Daily 91�㽶��Ƶr was an incredible first job in the advertising industry. We had clear expectations, a great boss, and true job responsibilities. The team and culture were very like ones I’ve experienced in the working world but also very fun and tight knit being students who were also in class. As I was interviewing for my first internships and first jobs, I had actual work experience to talk about from selling advertising for the Daily 91�㽶��Ƶr and managing the sales team for The Burr magazine. Lessons I learned on that team and selling to actual clients twenty years ago are still relevant even today.  

4. Tell us about your career path. 

My advertising agency internship turned into a full time role as an account executive. I moved to a B2B advertising agency, then started a wedding and event planning company, Heidzillas, which I ran for five years. Following my time as an entrepreneur, I went “client-side” as head of marketing for Naturepedic organic mattresses; Event Source, and Arborwear, an apparel and uniform manufacturer, before going back to agency-side as COO for a CPG/brand and package design firm. Throughout my career, I wore a lot of hats and used my advertising, communications, sales and management skills to support employee and team development as well as culture development and change management. I now co-lead a leadership development organization, Small Giants Community and offer culture and employee branding consulting.

5. What is your superpower? 

My superpower is to support employee, leadership and organizational development. I use brand, communications and coaching to build up people, teams, culture, and community. I love to support emerging leaders, students, and teams, especially 91�㽶��Ƶ students and alumni. My favorite “sport” is to connect people to purpose and each other.

6. What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment, personally and professionally? 

My greatest accomplishment personally and professionally has been supporting the development of teammates into confident leaders who support other future leaders. I have several favorite stories including an intern I hired and supported later earning a promotion to manage the department when I left. Another colleague struggled with his leadership and with some training and coaching, he now is a successful Chief Creative Officer. I also love supporting the next generation - especially my two kids and 91�㽶��Ƶ students!  

7. How do you stay connected with KSU today? 

I talk about 91�㽶��Ƶ ALL the time. Clients who live across the country even know my love and gratitude for KSU. I joke being a 91�㽶��Ƶ alum is half of my personality. I have advised students, spoken to student organizations I was a part of, served as a class “client”, and taught an Advertising class adjunct. I stay in touch with past professors, student media coworkers, student organization friends, and classmates. My favorite, though, is to connect students to jobs with other alums, or hire them for my own team! I try to attend Homecoming every year and have attended many KSU Lacrosse team games with my daughter. If 91�㽶��Ƶ or a KSU alum need something, it’s my honor to support my fellow Flashes. #FlashesForever

8. What advice do you have for students and recent graduates? 

Have a professional development plan for yourself.  

Four Cs to consider:  

Curiosity: Start a book club, share articles and blogs, invite thought-leaders for a conversation.  

Connections: What students, professors, colleagues, vendors, partners, mentors, etc people are in your network who you can learn from if you ask? ASK!

Conferences: What educational opportunities are out there for you? Many are posted for free such as white papers or YouTube videos. Are there 91�㽶��Ƶ free events. Show up!

Coaching: Who do you have to support and empower your journey of development? A trained professional or personal mentor can help you work through your experiences.