This is the year we do things differently. We have the opportunity to shape the Midwest Region’s future. We want to emphasize YOU, our Midwest members and volunteers. Showcase your expertise, one-of-a-kind projects — and not just from traditional marketing folks. Our members are so much more than marketers: we have plaintiff firm marketers who we can learn SO MUCH FROM. Sales professionals (hello, service providers!). Data analysts. Pricing gurus. Small-firm marketers who do it all to CMOs managing huge teams across continents.
We want to utilize what makes us so dang great: our people and our diversity.
As captain of the ship for 2021, here’s what I’m hoping to bring you:
- THE FUN. Humor is a lot of who I am. And I am the sum of many parts, including (but not limited to!) a career woman, a parent, an LMA volunteer...and a person who’s survived — I’m going to get real here — a lot of mental health challenges over the years. I put that out there because of the stigma (there are a lot of us “high-functioners” out there; I see you). And also because I know how important it is to create a good experience when your tank has run dry. Consider me your cheerleader for 2021.
- Creativity. At my core, I’m a creative writer. I enjoy challenging the way we see things (literary theory was my favorite subject). I want to put that rebelliousness to good use to encourage our volunteer leadership to do the same, thus finding new and innovative ways to provide our members — on the local level — with what they need and want. (And, to reiterate bullet #1, use creativity to make the volunteer experience fun.)
But, we need help from YOU. We want your talents, your smarts, your ideas — use us as a way to gain a new skillset. Use your skills to do new things through volunteering. Use us to showcase your talents or super cool projects. Please do NOT hesitate to reach out to me with a thought or idea. There is no Midwest without you, so let’s collaborate.
The pandemic created a clean slate for us. Let’s #MakeitMidwest (this is totally my new hashtag).
Laura Toledo
2021 Midwest President
Email me
P.S. LMA has a great well-being resource page and some great upcoming programming on the topic. And if you need someone to talk to, I’m here for that, too. (I can also do the talking — I am open about my story.)