Wendy Blackburn 

EVP, marketing and communications, Intouch Solutions

What would you do if you didn’t work in healthcare?

I’d probably do something in animal behavior or advocacy.
Talk about the last time you experienced a fist-pumping victory moment.

Each time Intouch has won Agency of the Year – five times so far. We built the agency up from a tiny startup, and it feels fabulous to have all that hard work recognized.
 
When was the last time you endured an “agony of defeat” moment? What did you learn from it?

You can’t win every new business pitch, but when you lose, it sure can sting – especially when the team put its heart and soul into it. Sometimes you learn there was nothing you could have done differently – politics or relationships were in play that were out of your control. But I’ve learned you can’t dwell on any of that. You learn, grow, and just keep going.
 
How long ago was the last time you recharged your batteries? 

Several years ago, my husband and I took our sisters, niece, and nephew on a 30-mile backpacking trip in Glacier National Park, Montana. It was a challenging adventure physically, we spent loads of quality time together, and were all 100% unplugged. Sometimes you have to force yourself to go completely off the grid, and to remember that’s a healthy thing to do. It’s time I go back.
 
What do you find frustrating about working in healthcare marketing?

The slow pace of change, innovation, and projects can be maddening. It takes a lot of patience. It’s also frustrating that this industry comes under attack so frequently. Despite the occasional bad apple, it does a lot of good – curing diseases, saving lives, and improving quality of life. More than 20 years later, I’m still proud to be a part of it.
What are your words to live by?

That which does not kill you makes you stronger. We all face difficulty and challenges of varying degrees throughout our lives. We have no choice but to become stronger and move forward. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
What is one thing you would tell young women starting their careers in healthcare marketing?

Be human. Be brave. Be yourself. Also – you can’t control how other people behave, but you can control how you react to them. To that I would add, break the rules.
Favorite drink?

That’s easy – all kinds of red wine.