I graduated from Texas Tech University with a dual major in Public Relations and Marketing. I began my career working with Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock at the Texas Senate where I was responsible for the Capitol Press Corps during the 76th Legislative Session. After gaining valuable media and analyst relations experience at a high-tech PR agency here in Austin, I joined Dell in July of 2000 managing storage PR. Since then, I have strategically and purposefully moved around the company gaining as much experience as I could with the goal of making myself the most well-rounded and experienced communications and marketing professional as possible.  

I believe in a modern approach to marketing and communications – one that combines creative excellence with data-driven decision-making in service of business outcomes and greater customer relevance. Since 2014, I have played an integral role in Dell Technologies’ modern marketing transformation, leading with an emphasis on a smart use of data, and most recently AI and GenAI tools, customer understanding and integrated planning. I believe marketing strategies should present a single unified voice to target audiences – one that resonates with their needs and speaks in their language. I believe in the power of good storytelling and a favorite aspect of my job is bringing those stories to life in compelling marketing campaigns and strategies. 

As of this July, I will have been a Dell team member for 25 years! That makes me very proud and grateful to this great company. I have grown and learned so much during my tenure. I have directly supported three Executive Leadership Team (ELT) members, managed and mentored an array of incredible talent and seen the company from regional and global perspectives. 

I even still have and use my original Dell badge!  

What is thought leadership?

Thought leadership marketing is a strategy where businesses use their expertise and insights to establish themselves as trusted authorities in their industry. This approach involves creating and sharing valuable content that addresses the key questions and challenges faced by their target audience. The best thought leadership doesn’t seek to sell or hype a brand or its specific solutions or products, but rather provides actionable, tangible and/or engaging advice and content. 

Key elements of thought leadership marketing include: 

1. Expert Insights: Sharing deep knowledge and unique perspectives on industry-related topics. 
2. Influence: Establishing a strong presence and being recognized as a go-to source for information. 
3. Point of View: Offering a distinct and authentic perspective that resonates with the audience.

The goal is to build credibility, trust and influence, ultimately attracting customers and growing the business. By consistently providing valuable content and engagement opportunities, thought leaders can differentiate themselves from competitors and foster strong relationships with their audience. 

How is Dell contributing to advancements in AI?

Dell is incredibly passionate about this new world of AI and we are supremely focused on accelerating AI adoption as the primary AI infrastructure provider to our customers. From the data center to the AI PC, we are helping our customers overcome challenges and barriers to entry as they embark on their own AI journeys.

I believe it’s really important for organizations to foster a culture of innovation, of risk taking, of test and learning. AI is a brand-new technology for most of us. We just need to get out there, roll up our sleeves and try new things and see how the applications can help us do our jobs more efficiently. We don’t want to lose human creativity and innovation but think about the immense opportunities AI presents to bring our ideas to life. I think it’s really important for organizations to foster that spirit of experimentation and curiosity about what AI can do.

If someone is unclear about AI and its impact on industries today, what historical technological advancement would you use to illustrate its significance?

I like to compare where AI is now with where the first smartphone was. Remember the days of flip phones or even having beepers? I remember the days of printing out driving directions on MapQuest or having a stack of business cards, and now my smartphone houses all of that for me. I feel more connected. I feel safer. I feel more productive. I feel entertained, and I can’t imagine not having that piece of technology with me every day. When I think about AI, I see the same thing I think in 2, 5, 10 years. AI is going to be just as a necessary piece of technology that we use. I’m really excited to be part of shaping that future to see how AI can help me live happier, work better, be more productive and be more innovative. I think it’s all in our hands to really shape the future we want to see.

How do you unwind after an intense brainstorming session?

I spend time with those I love the most!

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Be open to any and all opportunities. Some of the jobs I took weren’t ones that I thought I would like, but they ended up being great experiences. Stay curious. Always keep learning. Be open to constructive criticism – feedback is truly a gift. Work hard. Play hard. And most of all, if you don’t love what you do, find something else to do. Life is too short. You spend so much time at work and with people at work. If you don’t enjoy it, make a change!

To learn more about life at Dell, visit Our Stories.