CMO Spotlight | Julie Spencer Washington - Trinity Health

The CMO Spotlight is a chance to get an inside look into the minds and journeys of high-performing marketing leaders. 

Setup CEO, Joe Koufman, virtually sat down with Julie Spencer Washington, the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer and the Chief Customer Experience Officer for Trinity Health, to share how much she values mentorship and how her work ethic has led to success in her career.

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Q1 | Is there any advice you would like to share with other marketers?

“If you’re willing to learn and to grow, there are people that will share [advice] without any hesitation.”

Washington understands the importance of not doing life alone. She suggests having “your own personal board of directors” to help guide you through your career. Although she has achieved great success, she recognizes that she could’ve used this advice earlier in her career - you don’t have to look far to find people who are willing to guide you. “There are people in your family, in your friendship network, or collegiate alumni association, and then there are those right here inside of our organizations that want you to be successful.”

Q2 | How do you mentor others?

“I do my best to pay it forward.”

Washington shares her talents with the marketing community in order to educate the next generation of marketers. She is part of The Black Executive CMO Alliance, or BECA, where one of their core values is mentorship.“Within BECA, a core tenant, in addition to what pours into us, is to reach back to bring others forward... How do you impact lives not just in the services or the products that your company produces and offers, but what do we do for society and for people? I'm hoping that I'm that mentor.” She is also intentional about her time to serve as an advocate and sponsor for people who need a voice.

As part of the International Coaching Federation, Washington further serves others by focusing her time on coaching. Her experience coaching has helped her learn more about herself and helped her tweak how she wants to show up as a leader within her own organization. 

Q3 | What is your superpower?

Washington believes that determination is her strength. Even in situations where the odds may not be in her favor, her strong work ethic and her optimistic outlook pushes her to defy the odds. “I've worked a lot around my vision of what I believe is possible … Even if I'm outnumbered or outspent by the competition, that doesn't mean I still can't win.” 

Q4 | What inspires you?

A poem called "Don't Quit" by Edgar A. Guest has inspired Washington throughout her life. The first stanza says, 

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, the road you're trudging seems all uphill, 

When the funds are low and the debts are high, 

When you want to smile, but you have to sigh, 

When care is pressing you down a bit, 

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

The poem goes on to say, 

And you can never tell how close you are, 

It may be near when it seems so far; 

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit- 

It's when things seem worse that you must not quit.

She uses this to change her perspective when she’s faced with challenges. “I buckle down and I say, ‘that's the relationship I need to lean into because it's here that the good is actually going to be found.’”

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For more marketing leadership advice, and a view into the mindset of marketing executives in various industries, be sure to watch the full interview with Julie Spencer Washington, and keep an eye out for more thought leadership from our CMO Spotlights.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW TO THE RIGHT.