Home: Stamford, CT (remotely behind the screen). Age: 48. My élevage in digital started before Google launched. Birthplace: Pittsburgh, PA. Profession: Digital marketing executive with roots in retail operations, copywriting and internet technical support who evolved into a celebrated Woman in Search and early adopter of emerging technologies to push the 4th Industrial Revolution forward. Organization: MACH9 Digital. Title: Chief Digital Operations Officer (former Global Head of Digital Marketing for Philip Morris International). Alma mater: Florida Atlantic University.
Recent recognition: For International Women’s Day 2022, I was recognized by Conductor as being one of the top 10 Inspiring Women Shaping SEO. Latest contribution to others: Mentoring for the The Freelance Coalition For Developing Countries allows me to help BIPOC freelancers skill up and scale their freelance businesses. Enjoyed the experience so much, I agreed to expand my mentoring to Remarkable Tech, whose entrepreneurs are developing technology solutions for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Starting from scratch in Lausanne, Switzerland with Philip Morris International, moving to a country where I didn’t speak the language. Hobbies: Cooperative board games taught me how to work with others via play, something sorely needed since I was neurodivergent. Roleplaying games, like Dungeons & Dragons, taught me how to build worlds, write characters with unique perspectives and tell stories that excite the imagination. Anime and comic books entertained me and gave heroes to aspire to. What cause are you most passionate about? Neurodiversity. I was born nonverbal autistic, and my journey towards acceptance, both in life and in the workplace, shows me there’s still so much more needed to assist those with diversity of the mind.
Personality profile: INTJ (Architect). I prefer to make my own discoveries through test and learn, never accepting the status quo. I apply the full force of my actionable insight, logic and willpower to inspire People, modify Processes and establish Procedures that bring business outcomes. What is your greatest joy? Giving back to the digital community. Talking to the next-generation of digital marketers to show them how it should be done. What is your greatest fear? Internet of Things (IoT) won’t evolve fast enough to do all the things I want to do before I pass on. What is your guilty pleasure? Listening to Kpop while I design the next-generation of digital marketing solutions. What natural talent have you neglected? Writing. I have so many stories I want to tell but never find enough time in the day to do so. I keep telling myself some day, after I retire, I will just lock myself in a room and write.
What is the best advice you received growing up? "If you really want to achieve your dreams - I mean really achieve them, not just daydream or talk about them - you've got to get out there and fail; fail early, fail often but always fail forward. Turn your mistakes into stepping stones for success" (John C. Maxwell, in Failing Forward). What is the best advice you received in your career? People are your most precious resources. Hire well, nurture and guide them to be their best selves, and step aside to give them visibility, so that when you move upwards, the foundation of what you have built doesn’t falter. What modern technology innovation do you most appreciate? Internet of Things (IoT) has given me a passion with purpose to innovate digital, a successful career in Fortune 500s and connected me with other neurodivergents all over the world. What is your go-to source of creative inspiration? CHIEF. My gateway to other decision-markers in my field, engaging eduction with women who are leading change, access to my Core advisors and engaging conversations that impact my decisions.
What change would you like to see in the world?
Once we’re able to build virtual worlds to bridge understanding between neurodiverse and neurotypicals. Augment reality to reduce negative stimuli. Perhaps this adaptive technology can reduce barriers in the workplace and lead to greater acceptance, so diversity of the mind is no longer seen as a mental health stigma.
What mega-trend most excites you? With the metaverse, we finally have the opportunity to augment reality to assist neurodivergents with dampening environmental stimuli that cause social anxiety. What mega-trend most concerns you? Telecom infrastructures are still using copper wire in some communities throughout the United States, making it difficult to take advantage of Web3 emerging technologies because of lack of bandwidth.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? In Search of Why. When searching for her own answers, a nonverbal autistic child overcomes her adversities to become a neurodiverse woman leader embracing her special brand of “weird” to launch a career in Search that will send her into toxic corporate culture to battle status quo and break barriers for neurodiversity in the workplace. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Ashley Rickards, for her previous portrayals of neurodiversity in Fly Away. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My neurodivergent father, to reassure him that I made it. Even though it wasn’t the path he chose for me, I’ve done just fine. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A speech writer. I was passionate about many topics affecting this great nation, but I never imagined I would be able to use my own voice to advocate. What advice would you give your younger self? Ask for help more often. Don’t try to do everything on your own. Trust others a little more. There’s a great neurodiverse tribe out there ready to be your ally.
Personal mission: To remove barriers for neurodiversity in the workplace. Favorite quote: “Be so good they can’t ignore you” (Steve Martin). Desired epitaph: Kathryn Parsons: Woman Who Searched for WHY; SEO Innovator; Metaverse Architect; Digital Activist.
