Ep. 95: Culture as a Competitive Edge: The Case for Soft Skills in Higher Ed Marketing

Jaime Hunt sits down with Kelly Hiller, Chief Marketing Officer at Purdue University, to explore a revolutionary idea: integrating soft skills into performance management. Hiller shares how Purdue's Brand Studio is not only delivering exceptional marketing but also cultivating a high-performing, emotionally intelligent team culture. This episode is a must-listen for higher ed marketers looking to future-proof their teams and foster stronger leadership pipelines.

Guest Name: Kelly Hiller, Chief Marketing Officer, Purdue University

Guest Social: www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-hiller

Guest Bio: Kelly Hiller serves as the Chief Marketing Officer at Purdue University, where she has the honor of leading a dynamic team of professionals dedicated to elevating the Purdue brand. As an in-house agency, Purdue Brand Studio crafts compelling content that not only drives demand but also promotes and protects Purdue. Kelly has been working at Purdue since January 2005, when she joined the university’s marketing department as communications coordinator. In 2008 she transitioned to the Purdue Alumni Association, where she managed the communications team and oversaw production of Purdue Alumnus magazine. These roles laid the foundation for her later accomplishments, including leading the Giant Leaps Campaign during Purdue's 150th anniversary, which launched at Homecoming 2018 and concluded at Homecoming 2019. This experience remains a career highlight for her. Known for her ability to remain strong yet flexible amid the winds of chaotic change, she finds daily inspiration in the words "Nevertheless She Persisted," which she had tattooed on her wrist as a reminder to take a deep breath and focus on finding solutions in tough situations. Passionate about small-town revitalization, Kelly serves on the school board in her hometown of Attica, Indiana. As a proud mom of four, Kelly's dedication extends to her family. She enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones and supporting various community events. Kelly values the close-knit, supportive atmosphere within her team, where egos are checked at the door and successes are shared. For Kelly, leading at Purdue is not just a job but a family endeavor, where hard work is balanced with fun and care for one another.  

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Connect With Our Host:
Jaime Hunt
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/
https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMC

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Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

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