Margaret Murphy '90

She has the market on loyalty      

 It's no surprise CSB alumna Margaret Murphy '90 was just named an Industry Leader in The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal annual Women in Business Awards.

Her bio - borrowed directly from www.olsondenali.com -- tells of the trip to the top of her game.

"She had a paper route at age 10. During her teens she leased a drive-in restaurant and hired her brothers as soda jerks. And while managing a languishing retail complex fresh out of college, she discovered how customer engagement spurs sales.

Then Carlson Marketing discovered Margaret. Provided a global platform to practice what she calls 'the Art of Serving,' the College of Saint Benedict graduate rocketed to SVP of Client Services; earned an MBA from the University of St. Thomas; completed the University of Minnesota's Executive Leadership Program; and became one of the Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal's 'Top 40 Under Forty.'

Yet it's not just her professional accomplishments that inspire the OLSONdenali staff. Margaret's work ethic and focus are the stuff of legend; her commitment to volunteerism wins hearts; and her travels across six continents model the kick-butt use of vacation time."

Each year, the Business Journal honors 25 Industry Leaders who are at the forefront of their industries as well as 25 Women to Watch.

Murphy is President and COO of OLSONdenali, one of the top 10 independent, full-service brand connection agencies in the U.S. The agency provides brand strategy, advertising, interactive, social engagement, design, public relations, media, loyalty, and analytics for the world's most respected brands.

Saint Ben's has had a strong presence the last two year's of the awards. Last year's Women In Business Award winners included:

  • CSB alumna Judith Poferl '82, president/CEO of Northern States Power Company-Minnesota with responsibility for the company's electric and natural gas operations in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
  • CSB alumna Amy Fredregill '97, vice president of the Cooperative Network, a trade organization that represents cooperative businesses in a wide range of industries. She oversees the organization's Minnesota division with more than 1,000 co-ops.
  • CSB President MaryAnn Baenninger, who has led the college since 2004. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Council of Independent Colleges, the Minnesota Private College Council, and the American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Her tenure at CSB has been marked by the early completion of the college's largest capital campaign, significant increases in annual giving for scholarships and the near doubling of its endowment.