Linda Rosenberg W'93

Email: Feel free to contact Linda Rosenberg at linda@lrmarketingconsulting.com.

What did you study at Penn and when did you graduate?

I concentrated in Marketing and graduated in 1993.

What was your favorite part of Penn/Wharton?

If I could sum it up in one phrase, I would say access to opportunities. More specifically, access to an education at a very high standard, an incredibly diverse population, a unique academic, and social experience, and amazing career opportunities and alumnae. I truly had so much fun both on campus and off-campus exploring Philadelphia.

Where are you based and what do you do now?

I’m currently based in Los Angeles as a Client Advisor for a nonprofit called CMTC (California Manufacturing Technology Consulting). We are a nonprofit consulting and training firm whose mission is to help small and mid-size manufacturers in California grow profitability, improve productivity, upskill their workforce, leverage technology, and save money. We’re part of a national network of Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers, all with the goal of advancing manufacturing in the United States, with an incredible network of subject matter experts with decades of experience in the manufacturing sector.

In my role as a client advisor, I act as a strategic advisor and key resource for manufacturers in Los Angeles County, helping my clients achieve their objectives, access resources, navigate challenges, and grow. I’ve personally advised over 200 manufacturers, and it is truly rewarding having a real impact on my clients’ businesses and the local economy.

What has your career journey looked like?

I have been in marketing since I’ve graduated, and it’s been a really well-suited background for my professional journey. I was drawn to marketing because I like using both my left brain and right brain and mixing my analytical side with my creative side. No two days are the same. I spent a number of years on the brand side of marketing for companies such as Nestle, ConAgra Foods, Red Bull, and STA Travel. I then started my own marketing consulting agency, typically acting as an outsourced CMO for clients- I loved working with entrepreneurs and small/mid-size companies. It was rewarding to be able to leverage my background working with Fortune 500 businesses and bring that to smaller companies.

What I do now as a client advisor leverages my marketing and strategic skills while enabling me to help clients in so many other areas as well: lean manufacturing, quality management, HR solutions, leadership training, technology and more. It is very fulfilling helping clients, collaborating with talented subject matter experts and partners, and continuously learning.

What industries have you worked in and do you have a favorite?

I have always loved diversity, and I’ve been fortunate to have had the opportunity to expand my horizons throughout my career. Rather than targeting a specific industry, I am focused on where I can add value, organizational culture, and to businesses I feel passionate about. I’ve built a transferable skill set that I can apply to any industry and the ability to learn and contribute quickly, without being limited in my thinking by “the way things have always been done.”

I do enjoy working in manufacturing and find it exciting that it is so vital to the economy. Post pandemic, we’re experiencing lots of changes in terms of supply chain, the workforce, and market dynamics, and it's more important than ever to support these companies.

What has been a challenge you have faced in your career?

One of the most challenging experiences, but also one of the most rewarding, was working in Mexico when I worked for Conagra Foods. After working domestically in the Snacks Division, I had a temporary assignment where I was leading the strategy to launch some of our products into Mexico. I lived in Mexico for 4 months and went back and forth for 7 months.

I was the only person from my company in Mexico and had to conduct all business in Spanish in a culture that had very different norms than I was used to. I grew so much from this experience. There were real-world challenges from getting pulled over by the police for something I didn’t do to having to bribe folks in order to park without having my car broken into to issues getting products that were needed for consumer testing across the border. At the same time, I met so many wonderful people, traveled throughout the country, got to know Mexico City (D.F.) very well, and had an incredibly enriching and joyful journey.

This experience and others taught me that life will bring a lot of different ups and downs. Not everything is going to turn out as expected. Taking risks and letting yourself grow is so important.

What advice do you have?

Professionally, I recommend talking to people in the careers you’re thinking about, getting insight from them, taking advantage of opportunities, and saying yes more than you say no.

More generally, I would say follow your passions, keep your integrity, and don't be afraid to lean into your fears because things seem scarier when you’re anticipating them than when you dive in and conquer them.

Finally, always be thinking about how you can add value.