Stella Ringer Opens Up About Goode Foundation and Shares Her Success Journey as a Seasoned Marketing Executive at The Coca-Cola Company
interviewed BY MARYAN AIKEN. ASSISTED BY TAYLOR MAHER. CO CEO INTERN. KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY
Shot on location at Roche Bobois at The Shops Buckhead by maryan aiken for citybox daily & citybox media
“I would tell my younger self to never conform or change who you are to emulate someone else.”
Stella J. Ringer
Official Title Senior National Sales Executive Strategic Marketing – Disney Partnership Hometown Stevenson, Alabama University The University of Alabama Major BA Communications MBA Kennesaw State University Company Name The Coca-Cola Company Number of years at this company 23
Reports to Susan Propp VP, Strategic Partnership Marketing Department Strategic Partnership Marketing (SPM) Charity Involvement Board of Directors Agape Community Center Board of Directors The PIVOT Foundation Board of Directors Rock Teen Youth Mentoring Program Wings of Mercy Care Volunteer The Goode Foundation (Sponsorship Chair Annual Gala Fundraiser) Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
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Give us an overview of your role as National Sales Executive at The Coca-Cola Company: I lead Marketing for the Coca-Cola Company’s Disney partnership. What I enjoy about the role is working collaboratively with The Walt Disney Company to develop relevant, compelling and magical programming that connect with our brands’ consumers; which results in positive business performance for both companies. The Coca-Cola Company and The Walt Disney Company are icons in the hearts and minds of consumers globally, it’s an honor to contribute to the success of both brands.
What is a typical day for you at The Coca-Cola Company? To be honest, there isn’t a typical day, which I enjoy. One day could be focused on strategy work for the upcoming year, another could be more budget focused, while the following day could be ensuring programming is being executed. What is typical is speaking with my partners at Disney. Decisions concerning both brands are always made via a collaborative approach aligned with both brands’ best interest in mind.
With the demands from your professional realm & home life, how do you find that critical balance to ensure that you have a Me Time to refresh and reset to keep yourself at optimized state? I’ve always believed in order to take care of others, you first must take care of yourself, which includes ensuring you take time to relax, reset and re-energize. The way I’ve been able to experience balance is having an extremely supportive husband, a family network and being relentless in my efforts to schedule “me time”. I’m blessed with a husband who believes balance is important! He covers me when needed and I do the same for him. It’s critical for both of us to have balance not only for our professions, but for our marriage and our family. Lastly, actions speak louder than words. I ensure I schedule time on the calendar for those things that bring me joy and allow me to focus on me, myself and I!
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You have been at The Coca-Cola Company for quite some time now, what do you attribute to the longevity and commitment of staying loyal and committed to one company? I’ve been able to stay committed and loyal because I’ve been fortunate to lead and work in several departments; to learn and experience different parts of the business. With The Coca-Cola Company being a Global organization, there are a plethora of opportunities to build and expand your knowledge base. Continuing to learn and experience new things are valuable. The Company’s reputation in the community/giving back has always been something I’ve been proud of as well. Anytime you can find an organization whose values align with yours is a plus!
In your professional journey, what was the most compelling challenged you've experienced that made you more pliable for growth and what resolved did you find to offer and implemented? I face challenges head on, first understanding why there are challenges and barriers (what’s the cause), determine the approach to address the challenges (the how) determine who should be on the team to help alleviate the challenge, then execute the strategy to breakdown the challenge. I would say the most compelling challenge I’ve experienced was both personal and professional. I was at a crossroads about a decade ago regarding my career path. I approached the situation per my earlier statements and took a bold step to move from an HR discipline to Marketing (where I didn’t have much experience). The move was either going to make or break me. Thankfully my transferrable skills gave me the foundation for success and my curiosity continues to guide me as I grow and move to different Marketing roles to benefit the business.
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Your skillset as a seasoned Marketing Executive is impeccable and prized by your team at your company. If I were to ask your team members and superior the 3 qualities, they value about you, what would they be? From a personal perspective they would say a wife and mother that relentlessly loves her family and a compassionate servant who loves to help others; two things that people are aware of whether they know me personally or professionally. From a business perspective, they would mention my professionalism, my leadership style and my calm, yet effective approach to business challenges.
If you were to mentor your younger version, what advice would you give yourself? I would tell my younger self to never conform or change who you are to emulate someone else. I’ve learned the importance of embracing who I am and it’s a valuable piece of advice. It’s fine to have others inspire you, but we all have a unique thumb print that makes us special. When we see successful people, we only see the “success”, we don’t know the back story of challenges and obstacles they encountered. I would encourage the younger Stella to tell her own story and be authentic, you never know how your story will encourage and uplift others.
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Who were your mentors that made a significant influence that redirected your journey and explain why? There are several mentors that have made a significant difference in my career journey. Each providing counsel, coaching, and encouragement in different but compelling ways. These women are marketing geniuses and I’m grateful they shared their background and experiences as I built my marketing acumen. Most have left The Coca-Cola Company for other opportunities, but I’ll always be thankful for their support, guidance, constructive correction and praise.
Anne Sempowski Ward, CEO CURiO Yolanda White, Entrepreneur – Dayo - Luxury Loungewear Brand Kimberly Evans Paige – EVP and CMO BET Networks Laventria Robinson – The Coca-Cola Company Retiree
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What is the secret formula to your success? Everyone defines success differently and how people get there is different as well. In my opinion, the key to success is whatever makes you happy and delivers on the definition that you’ve given success. For me personally, success manifests itself in several aspects, my family, friends, career and community. There may not be fulfillment in every aspect at the same time, but they balance and support each other. If my career journey hits a snag, the time with my family gives me hope and encouragement that my career journey will get back on track. Again, it’s whatever you define as success. I don’t think there’s one secret formula, there are different ingredients (experiences) that make up the formula for success!
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With all the charities that you're involved with why did you choose The Goode Foundation to focus on as your chosen charity for The Catalysts? The organization is personal as I have a dear college friend (Kerry Goode) who was diagnosed with the disease in 2015. His strong faith and awesome attitude have inspired me over the years. Our second fundraising gala was December 14th, 2019. Our goal was to raise funds for research and to support families that are impacted by the disease. Please visit goodefoundation.org for more information!
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Stella Ringer shot on location by Maryan Aiken at Roche Bobois exclusively for CityBox Daily & CityBox MeDia
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THE CATALYSTS
She is a gatekeeper, a product performance expert, a professional coach and luminary for medical doctors, and a strategic marketing executive for two iconic brands. Collectively, they serve as the stronghold for their respective fields to deliver exceptional contributions to the triumphs of their companies. Their invaluable skillsets are legendary. They consistently deliver commanding impact that is valued and respected by their peers, colleagues, and superiors. Together, they are prized for their accomplishments and revered for their passion to give back to their community and to the important causes that matter to them. We invite you to join them as The Catalysts unite with their peers, friends, and business colleagues to give back to their chosen charities.
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The Catalysts Program is written & developed by Maryan Aiken for CityBox Media. Interviewed by Maryan Aiken. Assisted by Taylor Maher. Co CEO Intern. Kennesaw State University
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