b'ALUMNI & FRIENDS Listen and lead It goes back to the idea that everything will work out, she said. Over the years, Witherspoon embraced overseas assignmentsStill to this day, I learn the most from the things that dont work that tested her limits, each one pushing her to adapt, grow andout. Thats when I make the most growth.deepen her understanding of humanity, honing her into a moreWork in progresseffective communicator and influential leader. Her work has beenWhile Witherspoon has always taken pride in her unwavering work intentional and taken one day at a time.ethic, shes learned over the years that drawing clear boundaries I started to train myself on the way to work, Witherspoon said.between work and home enhances her performance on the job. I would think about what I needed to manage, how I needed toI try to make sure I am exercising, eating right, drinking enough communicate it, and how to make things as clear and concise aswater, getting enough sleep and taking time off when needed, DRIVEN TO LEAD I could. Then at the end of the day, I would do a post-analysis onshe said. Its those little things that can make a big difference. it. What worked well? What do I need to improve upon? How canThere will always be an ebb and flow to the work, but the lesson I retool this for tomorrow? Ive learned is I am better at my job when I take care of myself. I am Through her work and self-reflection, a powerful realizationclearer, more focused, more patient and more creative. emerged: Listening is the key to effective leadership.When Witherspoon first entered the workforce 25 years ago, she BY SARA DIEDRICHIf you want to understand, you must listen, she said.didnt see many women in senior leadership positions. That is Allyson Witherspoon, B.S.B.A. 99 is building aIn her role as global CMO, Witherspoon has also come to appreciatechanging. legacy for herself in the automotive industry. datas power to influence boardroom decisions.I firmly believe you dont aspire to something you dont see, she Allyson Witherspoon, B.S.B.A. 99, has always loved carstheirI always bring data as part of a proposal. Its especially importantsaid. I didnt think I could have this level of role at any company design and the sense of independence they give.for marketing, which can seem very different than engineeringwhen I first started, much less a global company. Fortunately, there and manufacturing, she said. What I bring to the table is a verywere men who were mentors and took me under their wings and The first car to capture her imagination was a shiny Porsche 911data- and customer-oriented mindset. helped me develop.that pulled up behind her familys idling station wagon. LookingToday, Witherspoon prioritizes mentoring other women and through the back window, 7-year-old Witherspoon was captivatedWords of wisdom facilitating discussions about the importance of diversity in the by the humming marvel of engineering and design. Witherspoons advice for graduates entering the workforce is:workplace. I was completely fascinated and drawn into the design,Dont get stuck waiting for the perfect opportunity, just get started.I think its good to open that discussion and bring in represen-Witherspoon said. I kept wondering, How do you shape sheetAt that time in your life, every single thing feels like the biggesttatives of the majority so they can understand as well, she said. metal like that? I was captivated by the whole thing. decision youll ever make, she said. What you dont know thenEducation is so important; we can learn from each other.Today, Witherspoon is in the drivers seat as the corporate viceis your career is going to take a lot of twists and turns, and thatsAbout eight years ago, Witherspoon made peace with her drive president and global chief marketing officer (CMO) at Nissan MotorOK. You dont have to have everything figured out the day youfor perfection and accepted that her life is a work in progress. The Corporation in Tokyo, Japan. With more than 20 years of globalgraduate. Things will eventually begin to take shape.change in attitude keeps her motivated and free from impossible marketing experience for some of the worlds most prestigiousMost importantly, remain teachable and keep learning.standards set for herself.automotive companies, including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and BMW, she has consistently delivered brand and revenue growth. HerTry things out and find what motivates you. Thats how you startWhen I graduated, I just wanted a job, she said. Then, I just assignments across the United States, Europe and Asia have seento realize the skills you have and where you can add value, With- wanted to learn and then I wanted experience and then I started her lead breakthrough marketing performance, creative excellenceerspoon said. Its all about learning and building on those expe- discovering what brought me joy and what Im pretty good at. I and business growth, all while driving culture change. riences. The most important thing I tell my team is to continuenever imagined that the person who graduated from Mizzou would learning. The learning process never stops. be the global CMO of a global auto manufacturer. But here I am. Witherspoon has proven herself a global marketing leader whoIve stopped thinking about things in finite terms. I still have goals, shines brightest at the intersection of marketing, design, engi- Reflecting on her journey, Witherspoon said there is little she would neering and technology. changeexcept to be gentler with herself, a lesson she often sharesbut today, I let them happen instead of forcing them.in a tight-knit class of 25.When it came time for college, With- with younger colleagues.I am a self-motivator, she said. I am never satisfied with the statuserspoon briefly considered playing basketball at a small school, quo. I am always looking for a different way, a more creative waybut quickly opted for the big school experience after visiting of doing things. I think about how to become a better leader everythe University of Missouri. ALLYSONS FAVORITE CAMPAIGNSsingle day. I ask myself: How do I lead a team to deliver greatness?Call to marketing The only member of her immediate family not in the medical field, Witherspoon always had a knack for numbers. She began herNissan Heisman House2019-2022before deciding on the final concept. Then we had an incredible Witherspoon grew up in Springfield, Missouri, where her father,academic journey as an accounting major at the Trulaske CollegeThis campaign has been running for over 12 years and I enjoyedgroup of people at Nissan, our agency partners, production part-the late Charles Rex Witherspoon, was a well-known and muchof Business. But by her junior year, something was missing; theworking with the team on how to make it fresh each year. Everyners and our talent who all just went for it to make everything about beloved oral surgeon and philanthropist. Her first job as a teenagermaterial wasnt resonating with her. Eager to find her true calling,year there is a new Heisman winner that enters the house and its athe campaign as impactful as possible. It was a huge success and was filing papers in her fathers medical office. It was there that sheWitherspoon enrolled in an international advertising class. The firstgreat experience coming up with the ideas, shooting the campaignour employees, dealers, and fans loved it and it brought new fans began to shape her vision of the leader she aspired to bestrong,day marked a turning point when the class discussed the iconicwith all of these Heisman legends, and thinking about how we canto the brand. compassionate and reliable.Got Milk? campaign and its impact on international markets.connect with the fans both physically on college campuses and I came to really appreciate the type of leader my dad was, sheIn that moment, Witherspoon realized where she belonged digitally. Through the Heisman campaign I met Aaron Stoller, also aGran Turismo - 2023 said. He had this incredible ability to motivate his team and caremarketing.Mizzou grad, who has been the campaign film director for severalWe collaborated with Sony for a few years on this movie since for both them and his patients. I learned a lot about leadershipyears. He and I were at Mizzou at the same time, lived across theits based on a true story of Nissan GT Academy where gamers from watching him firsthand. We talked about how the campaigns imagery didnt work instreet from each other but never met, and now were great friends!could test their skills in real race cars. It was interesting working on some parts of the world because it had a different meaning there,the script and product placement to ensure authenticity of what The youngest of five, Witherspoon and her twin brother, Robert,she recalled. For whatever reason, I found that fascinatinghowNissan Thrill Driver Super Bowl2022actually happened. When the movie came out last summer we had shared a close relationship during their formative years. Theybrands operate and connect with cultures all around the world.Doing a Super Bowl campaign is really hardits an investment andscreenings around the world with our employees and dealers and attended Greenwood Laboratory School on the campus of MissouriThere is a universal truth that is consistent, but how it comes tothere is a lot of pressure and hard work to get it right. We workedthere was a lot of pride to see the Nissan brand on the big screen.State University in Springfield, where they graduated high schoollife around the world is very different. for a few months on what we wanted to achieve and communicate 38 | TRULASKE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS TRULASKE MAGAZINE 2024| 39'