Meet Elizabeth (Liz) Mace
Liz has been managing and implementing marketing and communications projects and strategies for her entire career. She is passionate about helping organizations create great online experiences and integrate new channels and strategies into their marketing mix.
In her most recent role, she was focusing on social data analytics as a consultant for Microsoft. Before that, she spent 11 years working remotely as Director, Digital Strategy for a $1.2B national nonprofit where she managed their web platform for the national office and the 25 local offices that also decided to use their platform. Additionally, she managed the digital strategy for the national office which included paid social, implementing SEO best practices, journey mapping, content marketing, and more.
Prior to that position, she worked in marketing for a B2C company, a financial services company, and worked as project manager for a web development firm.
Recently laid-off due to Covid-19-related budget cuts, she is currently volunteering, taking classes, working on her Content Marketing certification, and looking for a MarCom role preferably with a mission-driven organization. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.
What has been your favorite memory in your career thus far?
I worked for the national office of a nonprofit for 11 years, and as part of my role, I interacted with our 31 local offices regularly as I managed the website platform 25 of them were on. I absolutely loved working with the affiliates and training them, and answering any technical questions they had about editing their websites. When I gave my two-week notice, I was sent the loveliest notes from those I had worked with. My favorite being, “I really appreciated the support you provided to me when we were first setting up our new website platform. I think it was Maya Angelou that said (although probably better than this) that people don’t remember what you do, they remember how you made them feel, and I find that to be true here. You always made me feel welcome, comfortable, and I appreciated your support.”
Words matter, and if you have something kind to say to someone, say it. Make their day brighter – and your own.
What’s the best lesson you learned in your career?
You should never stop learning. This can take the form of free webinars or podcasts or volunteering as well. Take as many courses as you can.
Who is your role model, and why?
My career role model is my friend, mentor, and former boss Kathleen McBride. She is resilient, smart, emphatic, and not afraid of the “squiggles” careers can take. (“Squiggles” is a term I learned from a podcast I now love – see below for more information.)
How do you measure success?
I may be unique in that I do NOT measure success by how much money you make. I measure success by how empathic you are, how dedicated to your craft you are, and how you make people feel.
What advice do you have for women looking to improve themselves professionally?
Find a like-minded group, such as AWC, that you can join and learn from. Networking is vital, and as an introvert, I know this can sound daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Form meaningful connections with those you work with, like I did with Kathleen, and those relationships will last for decades.
How do you like to spend your day/days off?
I am obsessed with tennis and Barre3 (an exercise class), and our two Samoyeds keep us very busy with two daily walks.
I am also addicted to reading and always have been. I can remember flashlights under the covers as a child trying to get away with reading past my bedtime.
What is your proudest achievement?
Well, this isn’t an “achievement” but the one thing I am most proud of in my entire life —and grateful for— is my 19-year marriage. When you marry your best friend, the years go by in a blink of an eye. He is my biggest cheerleader and sounding board.
How do you find motivation? What motivates you?
I love to work, and I love helping others. When I look back on my career, that is the unifying factor. When I can deliver what a coworker, or client, needs—or can strategize/create a new solution for them—and make their jobs easier, I’m motivated to keep learning, growing, and helping.
Why AWC?
I recently joined after a layoff this past summer when I was looking to network virtually, and I have been welcomed with open arms.
What are you reading/listening to? Why do you enjoy it?
I am always listening to books or podcasts and reading/learning. I decided to stick with podcasts recommendations though for this post. Here are some of my favorites:
- The Anxious Achiever – from the Harvard Business Review, this covers the importance of mental health awareness in the workplace.
- CMO Moves – An Adweek podcast series sharing the human side of game-changing CMOs.
- Content Inc. – A quick, 5-10-minute content marketing-related gem.
- The Daily – This is from The New York Times, and they cover a recent topic in a half-hour segment. It’s a great way to stay current.
- Dear HBR – this is from The Harvard Business Review and covers workplace issues/topics such as how to get along with others or deal with a difficult employee.
- The Digiday Podcast – weekly show on the big stories and issues that matter to brands, agencies, and publishers as they transition to the digital age.
- Find Your Dream Job – I am currently unemployed due to Covid-19 related budget cuts; however, I’ll continue to listen to this even once I find my next position. It has fantastic advice and they also run this excellent Pacific NW job board at: www.macslist.org.
- HBR IdeaCast – A weekly podcast featuring the leading thinkers in business and management from The Harvard Business Review.
- HBR Women at Work – from The Harvard Business Review, this covers workplace issues women face.
- Spin Sucks – We’re your one-stop shop for modern communications. The lines between PR, marketing, search, advertising, social, and content continue to blur, making it difficult to decide what belongs where. Rather than decide, let’s come together and work as one to grow organizations. We can change the PR industry…together.
- Squiggly Careers – “Squiggly” refers to the non-linear path careers now take. You may move laterally or to different industries altogether. As the founders say, “take control of your career with practical, action-focused advice that will help you make better choices about your future.”
- This Old Marketing – This covers Content Marketing topics.
