Libby Saylor Wright has more than 20 years marketing and management experience. As the VP, Strategy on the Kroger team at The Coca-Cola Company, Libby leads the strategic relationship, partnering with Kroger to identify mutually beneficial short-term and long-term growth opportunities for Kroger and the Coca-Cola system. Additionally, she is responsible for driving Coca-Cola’s position as most valued partner.
In her previous role, Libby was responsible for providing strategic leadership to identify new beverage category and platform opportunities and harness new drinkers / consumption occasions for Coca-Cola North America’s Portfolio Innovation team.
Prior to that role, Libby was the VP of U.S. Marketing and Menu Innovation for the McDonald’s Division at The Coca-Cola Company where she was responsible for providing strategic leadership to drive the revenues and profits of Coca-Cola products aligned with McDonald’s strategies. Libby has been with The Coca-Cola Company for eleven years holding varying positions of increasing responsibility.
Prior to The Coca-Cola Company, Libby served in a variety of marketing and management positions with several companies, including Bank of America, Clarion Marketing and Communication (currently ARC Worldwide) and The Pepsi-Cola Company.
In addition to her professional experience, Libby is the board chair and facilitator for Elite Women of Excellence, a board member for the Center for Black Women’s Wellness, the Program Director and President-Elect for Jack & Jill of America Incorporated, Atlanta Chapter and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
Libby is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and University of Connecticut. She and her husband have one son. Libby enjoys sports, reading, cooking and travel.
Sneak Peek Into What You’ll Learn…
02:52 – Libby shares her unusual path of joining her company while pregnant and how she managed her career journey.
04:11 – Libby discusses her return to work after maternity leave and her concerns when it was time to return.
07:40 – We learn the secret weapon Libby had to help her overcome the fear and apprehension of going back to work and leaving her baby.
14:40 – Libby talks about the unique challenges in having a family member as a caregiver.
18:15 – Libby talks about the surprising abilities and resources that allow her to balance a big job and family life.
20:10 – We learn about the ways being a mother has impacted Libby’s career.
25:10 – Libby shares the critical things she has in place to help her to take care of herself and to find balance.
29:51 – Brass Tacks— The lightning round of concrete advice and tips.
Quotable quotes:
- “You not only need to plan your [maternity] leave…While you’re pregnant, you need to plan your return..”
- “When I had my first child, I wished I had lived in the moment.”
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