Erica Gifford

I attribute my success to the relationships I've built throughout my career. I've been fortunate to work with incredible people, and one of the things I'm most proud of is that I still regularly keep in touch with former colleagues, managers, and teammates from nearly every organization I've worked for. Those relationships weren't built through networking—they were built through trust, honesty, and consistently following through on my commitments. I believe people remember how you make them feel and whether they can rely on you. That philosophy has opened doors throughout my career and continues to shape how I lead projects, collaborate across teams, and build lasting partnerships.

The best career advice I've ever received was, "Progress, not perfection." Like many women, I struggled with the idea that everything had to be flawless before it was ready. A mentor challenged that mindset by pointing out that while I was focused on what still needed improvement, everyone else could clearly see how much progress had already been made. That advice changed the way I approach my work and my career. I still strive for excellence, but I've learned to celebrate progress, keep moving forward, and recognize that meaningful growth comes from continuous improvement—not perfection.

My advice would be to never think of yourself as "just" an event professional. The event itself is only one part of a much larger strategy. The real work begins months before attendees ever walk through the door and continues long after they leave. Take every opportunity to understand the bigger picture—attend meetings outside your immediate responsibilities, ask questions, learn how other departments think, and understand how your work contributes to the organization's goals. The more you understand the cross-functional strategy behind an initiative, the more valuable you'll become. And while AI and technology are transforming our industry in incredible ways, I don't believe they'll ever replace the value of genuine, in-person human connection. Relationships built face-to-face remain one of the most powerful parts of what we do.

One of the biggest challenges—and greatest opportunities—in healthcare marketing is demonstrating meaningful business impact. Activities like scientific conferences, educational programs, and brand awareness campaigns have traditionally been viewed as difficult to measure, but I don't think that's good enough anymore. Marketing should be accountable for demonstrating value, whether that's through lead generation, engagement, customer insights, or influencing strategic business decisions.

The values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally, are integrity, curiosity, and service. I believe trust is earned by being honest, following through on your commitments, and treating people with respect. I'm naturally curious and genuinely enjoy learning, especially when it comes to complex scientific topics, and I find real fulfillment in helping others understand them. Finally, I want my work to have purpose. Whether I'm developing educational programs, improving a process, or supporting innovative healthcare, I want to know that what I'm doing is making a positive difference. If I can build strong relationships, continue learning, and contribute to something meaningful, I consider that success.