Her Story
About Tanisha
I’ve been in marketing for a little over 10 years across a variety of industries. Funny enough, I actually started out on a completely different path. I was a nursing student at Alverno College and earned my CNA license in high school, where I worked on a dementia floor. Once I got into my healthcare coursework, though, I realized bedside care probably wasn’t the best fit for me long term.
I was introduced to marketing through a graphic design course during undergrad, and that’s when I really fell in love with marketing. After a pretty hard pivot, I obtained my degree in marketing management. I’ve always gravitated more toward the managerial and strategic side of marketing. I love being the person in the middle connecting all the moving pieces, versus being the actual creative.
A large part of my career has been in the agency and creative space, working with organizations like Kohl's, Harley-Davidson, Burrell Communications, and Kamp Grizzly in roles ranging from email marketing manager to project manager and account manager. I’ve always been the liaison. The glue between strategy, creative, and execution, making sure teams stayed aligned and projects kept moving forward.
Now I’m with Ascension Wisconsin, managing healthcare marketing across the entire state. Healthcare marketing was completely new territory for me, and honestly, that’s part of what excited me about the opportunity. It felt like a chance to reconnect with younger Tanisha. The version of me that once wanted to go into nursing, but through a marketing lens instead.
When I first joined, there were two of us managing the work. After a team transition about five or six months ago, I’ve been leading the Wisconsin market solo, which has definitely been a challenge but also an incredible learning experience. I’ve had the opportunity to work across everything from neurology and women’s health to TV services and specialty care, so no two days really look the same, which is probably one of my favorite parts of the role.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tanisha
01What do you attribute your success to?
I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by people who encouraged me to stay curious, embrace change, and give myself permission to evolve. I’ve learned that it’s okay to start over, reinvent yourself, and take on new challenges, especially when there’s an opportunity to make an impact, no matter how small. Most importantly, I’ve learned to celebrate the wins, rest when needed, and enjoy the journey along the way. Be open to new things and experiences. That's the only way to truly find your passions in life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received was to be intentional about building and protecting both my personal and professional brand. Early on, I struggled with finding the balance between staying humble and making sure my work and contributions were visible. I learned that there’s a difference between “bragging” and confidently advocating for yourself. Sometimes your work can speak for itself, but other times you have to be willing to take ownership of your accomplishments, share your perspective, and make sure your value is understood. That advice really helped me grow more confident in how I show up professionally and how I navigate leadership opportunities.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say be open to change. Be okay with the path not looking the way you thought it would look. Young Tanisha 100% thought she was going to be a nurse, and there was nothing that would have told me that I would not be on that path at this age. I did all the groundwork to make sure that I was set up properly to be that, and when it didn't work out the way that I thought it should, I was okay with pivoting. So be okay with pivoting, keep yourself open to explore different business avenues and opportunities, and you may land up exactly where you're supposed to be.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think the biggest challenge in our market is also our biggest opportunity, and that’s continuing to build stronger brand recognition and visibility within the healthcare space. As the market becomes more competitive, it’s important that we not only increase awareness but also strengthen trust and connection with the communities we serve. The opportunity in that is being able to position ourselves as a stronger presence in healthcare overall — one that not only drives growth, but also has the ability to positively influence patient experiences and outcomes through meaningful engagement and education.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are creativity, curiosity, and openness to new experiences. I enjoy exploring different perspectives, trying new things, and finding unique approaches to challenges and opportunities. I value environments and relationships that encourage growth, collaboration, and authenticity, because I think some of the best ideas and connections come from being willing to step outside of your comfort zone and stay curious about what’s possible.
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