Bio

I’ve had a long, successful, and immensely rewarding career in marketing and communications and yet, I’m Not Done! 

It all started over four decades ago with a job at Dow Chemical where I got my first writing assignment and had to write a book about the thousands of chemicals (with names I couldn’t pronounce) that supported hundreds of industries (many I didn’t know existed). I still have that book to remind myself I can do anything. Since that time, I’ve had leadership roles in agencies (Managing Director at GOLIN and Chief Reputation Officer at Leo Burnett) and returned to Dow as Chief Communications and Brand Officer. I have managed crises, directed strategy, launched products, invented brands and re-invented brands, grown market share, made money for my bosses, built a creative department from scratch, changed employee culture, won a bunch of awards – and what I am most proud of is that I managed, mentored, and inspired hundreds of people along the way.

And, since that first job in 1981, I have learned more than I could have ever dreamed possible, had a ton of fun along the way and collected a treasure trove of stories and experiences.

One of those, sadly, was observing (and feeling) ageism. Which propelled me into this chapter of my career and life – and back to writing.

Today, I am an author, speaker and obsessed with making sure that age inclusivity is on every company’s D, E & I agenda and that everyone (yes, everyone) gets to end their career when and how they want to – not when ageist stereotypes say they should. As a so-called “older worker” myself, I have learned and done so much, and it simply makes no sense that all that experience and wisdom would be packed away.

My first book, I’m Not Done: It’s Time to Talk About Ageism in the Workplace was ranked as one of the 9 books Every Professional Should Read in 2019 by INC Magazine and Kirkus Reviews said “Rocks writes succinctly but convincingly about the proliferation of age bias and its damaging, insidious, and demoralizing effects on businesses and employees alike. She makes a compelling argument and a spirited call to action against workplace age discrimination.”

The world has changed just a bit since 2019, so I wrote a second edition of my book called, I’m STILL Not Done because I am not, and ageism is still widespread. The impact of the pandemic, the “Great Resignation” have had a particularly damaging effect on older workers – especially, but not exclusively, on women and I knew I wanted to keep writing.  Keep talking.  Keep fighting for true age equity in the world of work.

My work and my story have been featured in Fast Company, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal. Inc. Magazine, CEO World, Market Watch, AARP Magazine, Chicago Tribune Syndicate, WTTW News Broadcast and whole lot of podcasts.

I’m STILL Not Done is available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold.