History
I started my career in High Tech PR and 30 years later, along with a wide range of industries, I’m still working with High Tech clients, happily in much broader roles.
Like many people I know, my transition into global program management started through volunteering - which I’m passionate about and still very involved with. Through volunteering I was hired by the US Olympic Committee to manage components of a national Olympic Festival. From there, Olympic sponsors hired me to manage CSR initiatives for six Olympic Games. That resulted in other sponsors recruiting me for around-the-world sailing races, Rugby World Cup CSR initiatives and executing global conferences and trade shows.
Closer to home, my formal background in Journalism and my MBA have kept me busy with a variety of high tech, financial services, real estate and other projects - all utilizing my project management skills in one way or another.
Mary Rudkin
“Mary is an experienced, passionate, and driven marketing events professional. She flawlessly managed over 1000 meetings at four large global VMworld trade shows. She emanates expertise, patience, adaptability, and will roll up her sleeves and do what it takes to get the job done!”
Susie Tse, Senior Manager VMware Briefing Center
Project Management
I bring a set of disciplines together in order to achieve common goals and objectives. I deliver client projects on time, within budget and with measurable results. Relationship management is critical and includes stakeholders from executives, to global team members, to third party agencies and organizations. I work with multiple countries, languages, cultures and demographics.
Events/Conferences
Events and Conferences in my world include executive briefings, partner events, product launches, press conferences, sales events and sponsorship activations. I’m sure there are a few other areas I’ve forgotten too. For me, it starts with extensive research and planning. Delivering a successful event or conference includes managing diverse groups, logistical planning, site visits, speakers, content management, attendee registration, organizing volunteers and onsite management. It ends with tracking KPIs, providing measurable results and setting Best Practices.
Sponsorship Activation
In addition to utilizing my Project Management and Event/Conference skills, I also incorporate marketing, communications, brand awareness, legal compliance, partner and event committees to my role. I provide pre-, onsite-, and post-program management.
“Mary is deeply committed and passionate about her work. She managed a critical component of our Rugby World Cup marketing program effortlessly. She was an experienced professional who lead the team to an excellent outcome. A real pleasure to work with.”
Cindy Grass
Chief HR & Talent Officer, Coca-Cola
Marketing/Communications
Brand strategy, sales enablement, content management, digital tool development, product launch, employee communications, media communications. I incorporate all of these depending on the project and the need.