Highlights from Ragan’s Top Women in Marketing Awards luncheon

Earlier this week, marketing pros from across the country gathered on the banks of the Hudson River in New York City to celebrate innovations, accomplishments, and community at Ragan’s Top Women in Marketing Awards 2024 Luncheon. The event, hosted at Manhattan’s City Winery, honored a group of marketing leaders at the peak of their powers.

Mary C. Buhay, chief growth office and head of councils at Ragan, kicked off the festivities by invoking the imagery of the Statue of Liberty towering over the adjacent New York Harbor.

“We stand on her shoulders, and we stand on the shoulders of our ancestors, our allies here in the room, and all of our loved ones,” Buhay said. “You inspire people to take action and make a positive difference.”

After receiving awards on stage,  honorees were given a choice of prompts to answer that shed light on their work and perspectives.

Geri Berdak, CEO of The Dairy Alliance, told the crowd that she’d tell her younger self to push forward, even when she faced resistance when following her career dreams.

“Don’t give up on your passions,” she said. “I had a passion for food and nutrition growing up, and a lot of people told me that I’d never be able to make a career out of it. I ultimately continued on and did just that.”

Elizabeth Paffenbarger, senior vice president of strategy at Klick Health, told the audience that the title of her autobiography would be “Lead Through Grace,” emphasizing the importance of understanding as a leader and as someone who is in touch with themselves as a person.

“One of the most key parts of being gracious is being gracious to yourself,” Paffenbarger said. “I’ve learned how to extend that to my team, my leadership, and beyond.”

Guest presenter and Ragan nonprofit partner Jodi Patkin, chief marketing & communications officer at the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, reframed the tradition of wearing pink ribbons during October (which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month) as a lifesaving marketing campaign.

“Awareness enough is not alone,” Patkin said. “We must work with the best and brightest minds to advance lifesaving research and rid the world of breast cancer.”

While reflecting upon her past in the industry, honoree Kristen Potter, digital marketing director at John Guilfoil Public Relations, spoke about her daughter and how to communicate the challenges that may lie ahead of her.

“I try to tell her to be sure people hear her voice,” Potter said. “Don’t be afraid to be heard, be confident in what you say, and don’t ever hold back.”

Learn more about this year’s Top Women in Marketing honorees here.

Sean Devlin is an editor at Ragan Communications. In his spare time he enjoys Philly sports and hosting trivia.