Lauren Griswold’s resume spans from baseball diamonds to the halls of higher education.
Currently, she serves as the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for Boise State University. She joined them in 2019 as Associate Vice President for Creative Strategy and quickly rose through the ranks, taking on increasing responsibility for the university's communications and marketing efforts. But it's her diverse background – with stints at Arizona State University, Mt. Hood Community College, Edelman Public Relations, Microsoft, and even Major League Baseball – that make her career journey so interesting,
In this episode, Lauren shares wisdom from her path. The central theme that emerges is the power of embracing the unexpected, taking risks, and staying true to your own definition of success. Lauren's story shows us how to build a fulfilling career on your own terms, even if it means coloring outside the lines.
If you're looking for inspiration and actionable advice on your own path to a successful marketing career, this episode is for you.
Tune in to the full conversation here:
Here are four key insights from Lauren's journey that we'll explore below:
Lauren's rise wasn't just about her own hard work - it was also about the people who recognized her potential and went to bat for her.
"Francis Treisman, who is an incredible mentor, really gave me my shot. She listened to her friend Gina Hasson, and Gina said, 'Hey, you've got to bring her on. She's got tenacity, she's got grit… it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil. So I think when you see someone with that tenacity, you see that they're really passionate about it."
You can be the most talented marketer in the world, but if no one knows it, you're not going to get very far. You need advocates - people who believe in you and are willing to put their own reputation on the line to give you a shot. But you have to give them a reason to stick their neck out for you. Be the squeaky wheel, not just in terms of making noise, but in terms of consistently demonstrating your passion, grit, and value. When you do that, the right people will take notice - and they just might be the key to unlocking your next big opportunity.
Want to stand out in the crowded world of marketing? Take a page from Lauren's playbook and embrace the unconventional.
"Working in minor league baseball at such a young age taught me a lot about business operations, and it also gave me that grit, that resiliency, that hustle”
Sure, a stint in minor league baseball might not seem like the most obvious path to marketing success - but that's exactly the point. By seeking out diverse experiences and taking on roles that others might overlook, Lauren developed a unique skill set and perspective that set her apart from the pack. So, don't be afraid to color outside the lines of your job description. Embrace the opportunity to wear different hats, tackle new challenges, and learn from unexpected places.
In the immortal words of Steve Jobs, "Stay hungry, stay foolish." Lauren's relentless pursuit of growth and adaptation embodies this ethos to a T.
"I knew I needed to have that agency experience. Everybody said, 'Before you go in-house, go with an agency, even if you can do it for a year.' It's kind of like The Hunger Games - can you outwit that thing?"
The only way to stay ahead of the curve is to embrace a mindset of constant learning and evolution. Lauren didn't need agency experience to be successful - but she knew that exposing herself to that high-pressure environment would sharpen her skills and add tools to her bag. Take a cue from Lauren and stay hungry for growth, even when it's uncomfortable. Remember, complacency is a one-way ticket to irrelevance.
It's easy to get seduced by the allure of prestige and fancy titles - but as Lauren's story shows, the most fulfilling wins often come from making a real impact.
"Working for a mission-driven organization and truly making a difference felt really good. At a community college, you learn not only about the journey of your stakeholders - a large segment of transfer students - but also about making a difference for social mobility and impacting people's lives."
Sure, a gig at a big-name university might look impressive on your resume - but will it fill you with the same sense of purpose and satisfaction as knowing you've had an impact? It can be easy to get caught up in vanity metrics and surface-level wins. But the work that truly matters is the work that makes a tangible difference for the people you serve. So, as you chart your own career path, don't just chase the shiniest objects - seek out the opportunities that align with your values and allow you to leave a lasting impact.
