Ketrina Dunagan, VP at Motorola, Baker, Movie Buff and  Lover of Rainy Days  

Ever wonder who the movers and shakers are behind the ultra-modern wireless lifestyle we all live now?  Ketrina Dunagan, a VP of Global Marketing at behemoth Motorola – the company first acquired by Google and then Lenovo — is one of them.

Originally from a suburb of Boston, she made a move south for love (of her Texan-born husband, who unfailing support she enthusiastically extols), and for her career (she now works at Motorola’s Dallas office).   She offers below insider insight on the future of the wireless biz, gives a detailed account of one of her days-on the-go (just reading about it is vicariously exhausting!), and uses Atkins protein shakes to get thru it all.

As for her personal life and downtime: she and her husband are avid movie fans, and she and her daughter like to have fun in the kitchen; she provides a very sweet description of the “Wimbledon breakfast” they dreamed up together. She also chooses as her favorite quote a saying from the late Maya Angelou, Oprah’s mentor and a Presidential Medal of Fredom recipient (it is also the same motto chosen by another “Sharp/Savvy” interviewee, Kelly Kauffman).  Why is the saying so cherished?  Because it is applicable not only to the business world, but to virtually every situation in life. (Ms. Angelou was a wise woman.)

Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
I grew up outside of Boston and spent my early years after college living in NYC working in the fashion industry and then in CPG [consumer packaged goods]. Met my husband Patrick who lived in Texas, and made the move to Dallas in ‘97, taking a leap into the wireless business. We have three amazing kids – Ryan, Erin and Tiernan. I’ve worked more than seventeen years in wireless – for Nokia, Samsung and now at Motorola. I love rainy days, baking, painting, hot tea, playing old school board games, and am gluten-free.

What does a day in your shoes typically look like?

• • • 4am car pickup to airport. 5:30 flight from Dallas to Chicago.
    • One on one hangouts with marketing lead in EMEA, then LATAM; siscuss marketing plans, creative, budget, other topics. Meeting and Google hangout with global creative agency to review campaign creative for new product launch, as well as with product management team to discuss product launch supply allocation based on country level marketing plans.
    • Staff meeting with regional marketing leads and global brand team via Google hangout to review quarterly business outlook, new product launch creative asset deliverables and timeline, competitive landscape and market dynamics.
    • Call with customer to discuss merchandising approach for new product launch. One-on-one with head of marketing for APAC via Google Hangout or WeChat.
    • Answer emails. Grab dinner. Call my husband and daughter to catch up on all I missed, tell them I love love, and say goodnight.  

What are the first three things you do when you wake up in the morning, and the last three things you do before you go to bed? 
Wake Up: Hug my husband. Pet my dog. Turn on the news.  
Go to bed: Kiss my daughter. Pet my dog. Hug my husband. 

What is your breakfast of choice?
Atkins Chocolate Protein Shakes. 

What keeps you energized and motivated at work?

• • • Great people and new challenges.
    • Company values that are alive and kicking in every employee.
    • Engaging with people from around the world to understand needs and market dynamics of different countries.
    • Elevated desks that let me stand up while working.
    • Working in a flexible and mobile workplace.  

What is the favorite part of your job?
The best parts of my job are the moments when I run into someone who owns a Moto Smartphone, and they love it!

What and who inspires your work?

• • • Someone who once told me I couldn’t.  I have spent a lifetime proving that I can and that I have, and that thought still motivates me today.
    • My husband, who is my rock, my very best friend, and who helps me stay confident reinforcing “that I can.”
    • My 12-year-old daughter, who brings me new ideas every week from her perspective being born with technology in her hands.
    • Women survivors and “thrivers,” who have been less fortunate than me, and who overcame all obstacles to realize their dreams.
    • Risk-takers, like my former boss Todd Pendleton, who was the CMO at Samsung. He stayed true to his vision, did not let the noise of company bureaucracy or rules cloud his vision, and made it happen. 

What is your favorite leisure activity after a stressful work week?

• • • With my daughter: baking and cooking for my family. My daughter and I made a full spread for “Breakfast at Wimbledon,” complete with strawberries and cream, hand-dipped chocolate strawberries, home made gluten-free banana bread with cream cheese frosting, along with  purple and green Wimbledon decorations, toast and marmalade, hot tea, and eggs and bacon. Yummy yummy. The baking and set-up was the best!
    • With my husband: Watching movies. We are huge movie buffs. Every year we make a point of seeing every movie nominated for an Academy Award before the Oscars.
    • For myself. Walking or working out, or painting, while blasting my music.

How does your culture/background influence your work? 
My parents, my education, my work ethic and travels have most influenced my work and path in life. My father and mother both worked hard, valued education and placed great importance on connecting as a family over lengthy “dinner time talks.” They paid for private high school for my brother and me. Lawrence Academy was a huge influencer for me. It was a learning environment where I could be myself, learn from some great teachers, and have fun. Travelling to Europe my first time with my family at age 15, being an exchange student in Spain at age 16 and participating in term abroad in college opened my eyes to the world and its many languages and cultures. That gave me the desire to work in a global role for an international company, where I have been since I started in the mobile industry. 

What was your very first job?
It was painting and selling barrettes in junior high school to friends.  It was not very lucrative, but was great fun and a confidence builder! I had many jobs throughout high school and college from waitress, to foreman on a painting crew, to events coordinator. Each taught me some valuable life lessons. But the first job that allowed me to pay the rent my first year out of college was working for the Associated Merchandising Corporation in NYC, helping to develop and import private label furniture and home accessories on behalf of major U.S. department stores. 

Favorite job you’ve ever had?

• • • My current role at Motorola, leading global marketing strategy and activation is a perfect fit for my passions today. Am loving engaging with folks from around the globe, setting strategy, taking on start-up projects, and working with amazing people.
    • Leading Samsung’s entrance into the retail space, first through “Pop-Up Experiential” and then through the design and roll out of Samsung Experience Shops in BBY.  Lots of late nights. Stress, tears, team accomplishment and personal reward.

What has been your biggest obstacle in your career and how did you overcome it?
Lack of self-confidence.  I overcome it daily with rock-solid support from my husband. He is the voice in my head and the text on my phone before an important meeting, presentation or decision. 

Three questions you like to ask during an interview to know if the candidate (or job) is the right fit?   

Questions for a candidate:

• • • “What motivated you when you were young?“
    • “What were your biggest memories and key influences that shaped who you are today?”
    • “What achievements are you most and least proud of, and what do you wish you had done differently?”

Questions candidate has for interviewer:

• • • Will the job allow me to do something groundbreaking and innovative?
    • What are the top three challenges facing the business?
    • Can you describe the company culture? What two things you love the most, and what two things would you change?

What are the most important qualities of a good leader?  

• • • Being a strong listener.
    • Setting clear strategy and a “true north” (aka focus) for team.
    • Being open to hearing the good, the bad, and the ugly news.
    • Working together to problem solve when bad news arises.
    • Providing clear and timely feedback.
    • Is flexible on when works gets done, as long as it is done on time and of high quality.
    • Fostering a fun, collaborative work environment.

What advantages do you see as a woman in the workplace?
There is no place to go but up. Also, an ability to build strong relationships with other female colleagues. More and more women in the workplace with whom you can relate and share experiences. 

What advice would you give women starting their career?

• • • Just do it (to borrow a phrase from the masters of marketing at Nike). If you see an opportunity to improve what your team is doing, or are in a situation with no clear owner, volunteer to take on the project.
    • No-one will be as passionate as you about your ideas. Don’t wait for someone else to realize your vision. Put in the work. Take the risk. Again, just do it.
    • Men and women are different. Educate yourself on the differences between men and women with respect to their approaches to leadership, problem solving, and presentation.
    • Be a friend and supporter of your fellow female colleagues. Women…at times,  we can be our own worst enemies.

What book would you recommend for women just starting their career?
 Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg.

Favorite Quote You Try to Live By: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou