Continuing our series on female leaders in advance of the Ad 2 Women’s Leadership Panel event on January 21, we’re highlighting Michelle Wieser, MBA Director and Associate Professor at St. Kate’s University—a Silver Sponsor for this year’s #Ad2WLP. Learn more about Michelle and why continuing education is important for female leadership in the interview with her.
Tell us a little about yourself. What is your history with St. Kate’s? How has your career journey led you to your current position?
I am the Director of the MBA Program at St. Catherine University and an Associate Professor in marketing and leadership. My professional background is both corporate (General Mills, Purina, Ernst & Young), and academic (Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Minnesota, and now St. Kate’s). I believe each and every role I’ve held in sales, marketing, consulting, teaching, and career development has led to exactly where I am today. I use skills I’ve acquired in each of my roles each and every day. We have three concentrations to our MBA – Healthcare, Management, and the one most relevant here – Integrated Marketing Communications. It’s a fabulous program and I feel very honored to lead it!
Tell us about St. Catherine University. What are the goals and values? What makes St. Kate’s different from others?
At the undergraduate level, St. Kate’s is the largest all-women’s university in the U.S. This is a clear differentiator in the Twin Cities – and beyond! It is so energizing working for an organization that puts women at the forefront. It’s an encouraging, positive environment that puts mission first. The MBA program that I lead includes both women and men, but we have far more women in the program than other universities (over 80%). I love seeing the commitment these women have made to advancing their leadership in their organizations.
Why do you love to go to work every day?
There are SO many reasons I love going to work, but I’ll boil it down to two:
First, the endless variety to my job – teaching, setting strategy, developing curriculum, recruiting new students, connecting with companies, hiring new faculty members…the list goes on and on and I honestly love all of it!
Second, the fact that I know what I’m doing is making a difference. People pursue an MBA to accelerate their leadership or transition to something new. Being a part of this transition, seeing the growth that takes place and the results the students achieve is immensely rewarding.
As the year comes to a close, what is the one project, campaign or accomplishment that you are most proud of?
There are two things I’m most proud of…
Continuing to build a strong and vibrant MBA community at St. Kate’s.
Completing my PhD dissertation proposal and moving into the research phase – studying the impact of the MBA on women!
How do you define success?
Success is so personal that it’s difficult to define it. I would say that success is when you feel happy with where you are and what you’ve achieved…when you wake up energized about the day ahead.
What challenges and opportunities are ahead for St. Kate’s in 2016?
Ahead for 2016, we are continuing to focus on growing our MBA program. We launched nearly two years ago, and have grown steadily since then. I look forward to continuing to recruit and attract our next generation of leaders!
What would be your advice to young women and men in the ad community just starting their careers with eyes on leadership positions down the road?
Come to St. Kate’s and get your MBA in Integrated Marketing Communications and/or take charge of your career…seek opportunities, make your goals known, and work tirelessly toward them!
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