Linda Thomas Brooks, 37
Executive VP, Managing Director, GM Mediaworks
Education: B.A., journalism, Ohio State University
First automotive job: With Campbell-Ewald, 1989
Proudest achievement: "Helping to establish GMMW/GMCW as an industry leader and as a valuable partner for GM and the GM divisions. Also, being able to spot new opportunities in the media business and address those opportunities within our structure."
On being successful: "Years ago, someone gave me a great clipping. In part, it says, 'Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have ahold of for just a moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.' I try to keep that in mind. I want to do good work that transcends today and has thinking that impacts on the future of what we do and how we do it. Having that goal in mind is what makes it exciting to come to work each day and creates a longer-lasting measure of success."
On being a woman in the industry: "At GMMW, I had the opportunity to work with Karen Ritchie, who was one of the women who set the standard for women in the auto industry. None of the great minds of the business that I have worked with - not Karen nor Michael Browner nor Lou Schultz - ever set different standards for women in the business vs. men. The standards for high achievement and hard work are the same. A lot of women pioneers in the business, including Karen, worked very hard to create an even playing field for women. Those women made it easier for those who came after them."
Career highlights:
- 1999 Managing Director, General Motors Mediaworks
- 1989-94 Media Planner, VP, Associate Media Director, Campbell-Ewald