2025 Women Empowered event
I had a great fireside chat with VP Marketing Jen Bridie as we talked about career advice and ways for women to grow in their roles. My advice: have a perspective and the courage to share it; mute that negative self talk in the back of your brain that tells you what you can’t do; and if you see a need, fill a need.
Page Conversation with Rob Jekielek
On March 5, I had the privilege of speaking with Rob Jekielek of The Harris Poll during a Page Conversation on findings from recent research surrounding confidence in business. Learn more about the poll here.
Women Leading Travel & Hospitality
I was excited to be included in Women Leading Travel & Hospitality’s Top 50 Tips of 2024. You can sign up to access the resource at the link below.
PwC’s Trust Leadership Institute
PwC invited me back for their Trust Leadership Institute held in Dana Point, California last week. It was wonderful to sit down and discuss the importance of trust with Ron Haas and Sandra Sucher!
2024 Page Annual Conference
I enjoyed the opportunity to talk with three smart women who serve on the boards of directors for Orion Group, Nissan and Portland General Electric.
Some key lessons:
Boards now want to hear directly from Chief Communications Officers (CCOs), heads of Investor Relations and other leaders they previously wouldn’t have
CCOs provide critical outside-in viewpoints and help tell the company’s story and provide that perspective to a board
CCOs should proactively secure opportunities to access the board and have a voice during board meetings
IPR Elevate Fireside Chat
In September, our Chief Communications Officer, Whitney Eichinger, and I sat down with CEO NextTech Communications, Janine Savarese, to talk about our leadership philosophies, Southwest’s decision-making process and famous Culture, and to share advice for rising leaders.
I shared the importance of hearing from everyone at the table and my appreciation for those who are not afraid to take intelligent risks when necessary.
Mindful Mentoring w/Tom Martin Podcast
Tom Martin believes that mentors can play a critical role in our life journey. I had a wonderful chat with Tom for his podcast about staying curious, never underestimating the importance of relationships, taking care of your network, and admitting your vulnerability.
Women’s Development Conference
I had the privilege of speaking about crisis communications at The University of Texas at Austin Women’s Development Conference and Women Who Mean Business Reunion. It was an environment of learning and women supporting each other. I enjoyed every moment!
2024 Distinguished Mentor Award
Truly honored to have received the Distinguished Mentor award from The Martin Center for Mentorship in Communication at the College of Charleston, and to do so surrounded by friends and colleagues meant the world.
PwC’s Trust Leadership Institute
I enjoyed an insightful discussion at PwC’s Trust Leadership Institute Trust Academy, alongside Sandra Sucher, Author of “The Power of Trust: How Companies Build It, Lose It, Regain It.”
We explored her framework for organizational trust, which provides a foundation for navigating the complexities of earning trust, even in challenging situations. I shared how Southwest Airlines has been working diligently to regain trust through accountability and genuine care for our Customers and Employees.
On Top of PR Podcast
I join On Top of PR host, Jason Mudd, to discuss my take on current airline crises and go into depth about Southwest’s crisis communication plan and how we’ve managed past crises.
Missouri Honor Medal 2023
I’m so honored to have received the 2023 Missouri Honor Medal in September. It was wonderful to spend the day connecting with the students and staff, and I had a great time at the ceremony.
Page Society Annual Conference & Panel
Recently, I attended the 2023 Page Society Annual Conference in Toronto and sat on a panel discussion about the CCO’s pivotal role in stakeholder value creation. It was a great discussion based on the impressive work of the Institute for Real Growth and Saïd Business School at Oxford University. The added bonus was that my dear friend and mentor, Ginger Hardage, was also inducted into Page’s Hall of Fame at the conference.
Leading with Compassion
In August, I had the opportunity to speak to CCS Medical leaders about leading with compassion. I love being able to share what we’ve learned about executing with compassion through my time at Southwest and life in general.
Office Hours Podcast
I had the opportunity to chat with Brett Hummel and Howie Emond to talk about developing a personal brand, being comfortable with career changes, and the greater PR field, its opportunities, and its future. You can listen to the full episode here on Spotify.
Future Nonprofit Podcast
Innovation For Good | Season 1
I sat down with Ted Vaughn to talk about my personal nonprofit experiences and what I believe is needed to create an innovative organization. Subscribe and listen on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts.
PRSA Strategies & Tactics Live
I joined PRSA’s Editor-in-Chief, John Elsasser, for a candid conversation on crisis communications and reputation management.
P World Crisis Communications Boot Camp
I had the opportunity to speak in NYC at the P World Crisis Communications Boot Camp on nurturing a brand’s reputation and guiding crisis communication efforts. I enjoyed hearing from impressive speakers like Cheryl Leamon (U.S. Bank), who spoke on balancing social impact issues and Ashley Korte (Equifax), who spoke on their crisis prep.
PR Daily | Crisis Communications
Southwest’s chief administration & communications officer on December disruption
Linda Rutherford speaks on the airline’s communications response to Christmas travel issues.
Ep. 42: Southwest Airlines’ Linda Rutherford on Creating a Culture of Caring
Linda Rutherford, chief administration and communications officer at Southwest Airlines, joins IABC Executive Director Peter Finn PodCatalyst to talk about her 30+ years with the company and the changes she’s seen in the field along the way.
Ep. 95: Southwest’s Linda Rutherford Discusses Facing A Crisis with Compassion and Action
Linda Rutherford, gives Mike and Gary a “behind the scenes” perspective on the challenges faced and on the ground strategies implemented during Southwest Airlines’ winter storm disruption. Decision making “in the fog of battle” is tough, and Rutherford offers clear advice for communicators looking to manage a crisis through uncertainty with compassion and action.
IPR Lifetime Achievement Award
Truly honored to have been awarded the 2022 IPR Lifetime Achievement Award at the 60th Annual IPR Distinguished Lecture and Awards Dinner.
Culture Built Your Brand
A healthy company culture must be a marriage with your brand strategy. Mark Miller and Ted Vaugh were kind enough to have me right the forward to “Culture Built Your Brand”. After three decades of leading a world famous brand with a Culture unlike any other, I had just a few things to say. Pick up a copy or download a chapter free to learn how integrating culture, championing you people, and being an effective leader is key to your organizational health.
Wreck ‘Em Tech
Each year Texas Tech University College of Media & Communication hosts a Career Development Conference to help soon, and recent graduates prepare for the professional world. There is nothing more important than preparing young students to enter the next part of their career journey. Consider joining us next year to network and meet the upcoming talent in your field.
The Future Generation of Leaders
I had the honor of speaking at the Baylor University Women in Business Professional Development Summit. These talented students put on a fantastic event focused on honing their skills and preparing for their next adventure as career professionals. The next generation of women in business is bright and I look forward to all that they bring to our workplaces! Learn more about their organization and future events here.
Humor is good for the soul… and business!
It’s taken a long time for the business world to embrace the incredible power of humor as a differentiator and a catalyst for enhanced morale, engagement and productivity.
AT Southwest, Fun-Luving attitudes have long been part of our calling, so I sat down to chat with Peppercomm PR executives highlighting how humor is key to our brand.
You can hear this episode and many more at the link below.
The Colleen C. Barrett Institute for Cultural Excellence & Customer Service
Leadership courage is rooted in and demonstrated by how we love on our People. It’s a combination of being fun-loving and knowing when to use tough love. I had the opportunity to reflect on the leadership lessons imparted on me over the years for The Colleen C. Barrett Institute.
5 Things I Learned From The Social Isolation of the COVID-19 Pandemic
It’s the little things that count
I sat down with Authority Magazine to discuss a few learnings from working through a global pandemic. Against all odds, we survived thanks to prioritizing the things that matter most, words of recognition, quality time and prioritizing well-being. 2020 was a humbling year and I think we can all relate to one of these Leadership Lessons.