Bridget Bimrose

I didn’t come from a traditional marketing background. One of the biggest shifts in my career came from committing to professional development, especially in areas where I knew I was weak. Early on, I was a terrible public speaker, and it limited my ability to confidently present ideas, advocate for projects, and contribute at a higher professional level. So I joined Toastmasters. Every Monday morning at 7 a.m. before work, I practiced public speaking. It completely changed the trajectory of my career. It taught me how to organize ideas quickly, communicate under pressure, and present effectively to boards, leadership teams, clients, and cross-departmental groups.

I also strongly believe that growth is tied to proximity. Creating space to learn from leadership beyond your immediate peer group is incredibly valuable. We naturally absorb habits, perspective, and confidence from the people around us, so it’s important to intentionally place yourself near professionals you admire. Don’t hide in the back hoping someone notices your potential. One of my mentors at the University of Portland was a wonderful woman named Rachel. She used to grab coffee every afternoon, and I would join whenever I could. Some of the best professional and personal advice I’ve ever received came from those informal conversations.

Women statistically live longer and often earn less over the course of their careers, so financial planning and long-term investing matter.  On a practical level, if your employer offers a 401(k) match, which is essentially free money, or any type of retirement plan, take advantage of it. Contribute to your retirement, whether through a 401(k) or an IRA. Your future self will thank you.

Be focused on the value proposition you bring to an organization in terms of profitability and long-term impact. Regardless of the field, employers are hiring you to contribute to the organization’s goals and overall success. When preparing for interviews or thinking about career advancement, make sure you understand and align with the broader strategy of the company or institution. The people who progress are often the ones who understand how their work supports the bigger picture.

I’ve built a career at the intersection of storytelling, higher education, and affinity travel, all industries that are evolving rapidly right now. In higher education, institutions are facing enrollment pressures and are being forced to think more creatively and strategically about audience engagement, multidisciplinary offerings and long-term value.

In private affinity travel marketing, consumers increasingly want meaningful, curated experiences. From a communications standpoint, I think one of the biggest opportunities right now is the rise of “micro-culture” and niche communities. I am also delighted to see that female travelers and cross-generational travelers are becoming a larger part of the market. People are forming strong identities around highly specific interests, and brands that understand how to connect with those audiences will stand out. I’m also very interested in how earned media, AI-driven search behavior, and evolving consumer habits are reshaping marketing strategy and content development

Consistency is incredibly important to me. Maybe it comes from growing up Catholic, but I’ve always valued rituals and routines. I’ve also been fortunate to work with leaders and mentors from many different backgrounds, and I’ve learned something valuable from all of them. In my current role at Criterion Travel, I’ve especially admired the consistency, depth of expertise, and steadiness of leadership demonstrated during both challenging and successful moments. I think grit, grace, reliability, and expertise matter deeply, both professionally and personally. Over time, consistency compounds, and people remember steadiness and reliability far more than isolated moments of success.