Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day — A global day to recognize the achievements of women and a call to action in advancement toward a gender-equal world. This year, we’re focused on #InspireInclusion, a call to raise awareness of discrimination and drive gender parity.
“IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid.”
Join us in recognizing some of the industry-leading female students, faculty and alumni from the WVU Marketing Communications Online Programs as they share their stories about being a strong woman in the industry and the wisdom they wish to pass down to rising leaders.
Toyin Awesu-Uhuegbu, M.S. IMC
How did you get your start in the Marketing Communications field?
I started my career in the Marketing and Communications field as an Account Manager at an ad agency in Boston called ARGUS. It was always my goal to get practical experience working for an agency but I had no agency experience so of course, no one called me back. However it was just my luck that the agency was preparing to pitch for new business in the higher education field and although my application for the Senior Account Manager position was not accepted at the time, the company called me and asked if I would be interested in consulting instead and working on the pitch because I had higher education experience. Although we did not win the business, it was through that experience I was offered the opportunity to interview for an Account Manager position at the company (which I got) and the rest is history!
Who is a woman in the field that inspires you?
I guess it only makes sense to connect the dots to my story here because the woman who inspires me in the field is Zamawa Arenas. She gave me that chance at ARGUS and throughout my time there instilled valuable skills and lessons in me that I continue to follow to this day. I learned core account management skills and how to help clients execute their communications and marketing goals. She has since gone on to start her own agency and continues to do great work in the field.
What is your advice to a young, professional woman starting in the field?
Don’t be afraid to speak up and share that great idea but also be ready to execute it too.
This year's IWD is focused on #InspireInclusion. How do you inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion?
My motto in life is to live by example. Often, I am the only woman in the room or the only Black woman at the table. Throughout my career, I have refused to shrink myself. By doing that, I believe that I have inspired other women that I work with to do the same. When we show up and support each other, we become the change we want and expect to see.
Kelly Greathouse, M.S. Data
How did you get your start in the Marketing Communications field?
Anchor at two small market stations: WVVA in the Beckley, WV-Bluefield, VA market and WTOV in the Steubenville, OH - Wheeling, WV market. I have always relied heavily on my experiences at the start of my career to aid me in my marketing communications roles. The skills honed as a TV News Reporter and Anchor make me unique from other communications professionals in several ways including:
- Generating original and creative content with minimal resources.
- Building relationships quickly.
- Storytelling under tight deadlines.
- Communicating complex concepts to people from all walks of life.
Who is a woman in the field that inspires you?
I've been fortunate to be surrounded by inspiring women throughout my career, so the challenge is picking just one to highlight. I feel driven to give kudos to a 2013 WVU graduate of the IMC program for this interview. Heather Campbell made a major impact on me in the short time I was able to work alongside her at TROY Group. Heather served as the Marketing Manager of the parent company and I worked under her as a Marketing Specialist turned Marketing Manager at TROY's subsidiary, TroyRx.
Aside from being a wealth of marketing know-how, Heather brought her supportive and energetic presence to the table each day. She fostered compassion and understanding among our entire team pushing all of us to achieve more. Heather's actions prove teams are more successful when empathy is infused into daily tasks and basic interactions. I strive to emulate the qualities Heather modeled for me and my team while with TROY Group. If I can be half of the servant leader Heather is, then I will call myself successful.
What is your advice to a young, professional woman starting in the field?
My career path has been a winding road compared to other marketing professionals who knew exactly where they were headed. At times of self-doubt, it is easy to compare your journey to someone else's. Above all else, DON'T DO THAT. There are a million different career paths within the marketing industry. Peers will have a different journey than you. Celebrate those differences! You are only in competition with yourself.
This year's IWD is focused on #InspireInclusion. How do you inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion?
While I've always appreciated diversity, my understanding of inclusion grew when I became a mother. I have three children who are each so different. They have varying abilities and needs. I want each of them to feel included in whatever they want to do in this world. I inspire others to understand inclusion by tailoring situations and experiences to the needs of those around me, just like I would do for my children. When I exhibit more empathy and support towards others, I find the entire group will follow my lead.
Kirsten McAlpin, M.S. IMC
How did you get your start in the Marketing Communications field?
I officially got started in the field in 2018 when I decided to make the leap from a career as a country radio personality to marketing communications. I now work at Conger LP Gas as the director of marketing and public relations and oversee the company’s marketing and communications strategy for our four offices, which cover over 35 counties in South Georgia.
Who is a woman in the field that inspires you?
A woman in marketing that inspires me is Nancy Coop. Nancy is the marketing director of Cetane Associates and helped found the National Propane Gas Association’s Women in Propane Council, a business council established to provide professional development opportunities to everyone in the propane industry. I am proud to currently serve as Women in Propane's marketing communications chair. I am so honored to get to work alongside so many incredible women across the country. Nancy was also the first woman to be inducted into the LP Gas Hall of Fame and is a great role model for women in the propane industry.
What is your advice to a young, professional woman starting in the field?
My advice to a young woman starting in marketing communications is to be open to all the possibilities. It’s a little cliché, but I genuinely think it is so important to dream big. A career in marketing can take you in so many different directions. I will also always advocate for learning as much as possible, just as I did in the WVU Integrated Marketing Communications program. I’m currently continuing my education in a Ph.D. in Communication program, and I feel like continuing to learn will make me a better marketing professional.
This year's IWD is focused on #InspireInclusion. How do you inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion?
Women bring so much to the table in the business world. We have unique, valuable perspectives that need to be heard. I always try to support other women and celebrate their victories.
Kristin Meeks, M.S. IMC
How did you get your start in the Marketing Communications field?
I was invited to a conference with the marketing team at the college I was working at because of my IMC degree. We learned a ton about digital marketing before we even knew to call it that…and the rest is history! This helped propel me to build a business around online marketing.
Who is a woman in the field that inspires you?
I have been blessed to be surrounded by so many great professional women in the field. I have learned so much from them all and consider them mentors and friends.
What is your advice to a young, professional woman starting in the field?
Don’t let fear hold you back. Be confident in your ideas and actions. My favorite quote is “Someone less qualified than you is living your dream simply because they believe they can!” — Denzel Washington
This year's IWD is focused on #InspireInclusion. How do you inspire others to understand and value women's inclusion?
Being a women leader in my community when I walk into a room I look for alliances with my male counterparts. These are the men who say “We need a more diverse board”— I also try to bring and nominate women in the field to stand alongside me. Encouraging young women in our field to go after the job, promotion and board seat is an important way we can set an example of how conversations can change women in leadership.
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Stefanie Moore
Marketing Manager
Stefanie is a marketing manager in the Marketing Communications Online Programs through the Reed College of Media at West Virginia University. She is an alumna of WVU's M.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) and has been working in marketing for over 6 years after beginning her career in the newspaper business. She's a marathon runner and she recently ran a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon.
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Marketing Communications Today is a collection of resources for marketing communications professionals filled with industry research, marketing trends, and career information about integrated marketing and data-driven communications. Learn industry insights through the Marketing Communications Today blog, podcast, as well as Integrate Online.
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