PR exec shares secrets of success at MSU Women’s Leadership Day

Tapping into your natural leadership abilities is easier than you think, said Bridget Cavanaugh, a Montana State University alumnus and former executive for one of the world’s largest public relations firms.

By MSU News Service

Cavanaugh, who recently moved back to Montana after serving as senior vice president for Ogilvy Public Relations, will teach a one of a series of courses on Women’s Leadership Day at MSU on Wednesday, June 11.

Her workshop is designed to help women identify the leadership skills they already have and channel their natural talents into rewarding roles in careers, business and life.

Her leadership mindset is to mentor others and give them skills that put her out of a job.

"Sounds counter-intuitive, but it has helped me to expedite my own career path," she said. "Several years ago, a young lady said to me in her review, ‘I want your job.’ Three years later, she had it. Together we helped her become a vice president. Fortunately for me, I too had been promoted."

In her career with Ogilvy, Cavanaugh managed the public relations efforts for the Qwest-US West merger, the largest telecom merger in history. She also counted Earthlink, Mindspring, Lucent Technologies, Orange-Glo and Celestial Seasonings among her clients.

Women’s Leadership Day kicks off MSU’s annual four-day Women’s Week, with courses and workshops through June 14 on topics ranging from weaving work and family to retirement, from home repair to outdoor recreation.

Each workshop costs $10. Registration deadline is June 6.

For more information, call 994-3273; write MSU Extension Publications, 115 Culbertson Hall, Bozeman, 59717; contact your county extension office; or visit http://www.extn.msu.montana.edu/.

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2003/05/29/news/womenbzbigs.txt