This presentation highlights my informational interview with Professor Posy Lou Henderson, a Marketing Professional, Adjunct Professor at Maryville University, and Team Leader at the YMCA. Through this interview, I gained valuable insights into her career journey, the challenges she faced transitioning from corporate marketing to education and nonprofit leadership, and the key lessons she has learned along the way.

Marketing is more than just numbers and strategies—it’s about people. As I’ve navigated my journey from dentistry to marketing, I’ve realized that success and making a difference don’t have to be separate paths. For me, empathy isn’t optional; it’s the foundation of how I approach my work. Whether it’s in the car industry or beyond, I believe that when you market with kindness, integrity, and a real passion for what you’re promoting, it resonates in a way that no sales tactic ever could.

Before meeting Sophia and her family, I had never met anyone from another country or heard a foreign language spoken in daily conversation. That experience sparked my lifelong excitement for learning about different cultures and shaped me into someone open-minded and eager to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.

True leadership isn’t about personal recognition—it’s about helping others shine. Ben Zander’s concept of ‘shining eyes’ reminds us that passion and purpose are contagious, and when leaders uplift those around them, they create something truly extraordinary.