Heather Grudt
Vice President - Account Supervisor
Hired: April 2001
Background:
Heather grew up in the nearby suburb of Roseville. She now lives in Lino Lakes with her husband Davis and their Golden Retriever named Madigan. Heather and Davis had their dream honeymoon in Europe where they visited London, Paris, Geneva, Venice (their favorite city), Florence and Rome.
Education:
- University of Saint Thomas: completed MBA in December of 2005.
- American Association of Advertising Agencies: Institute of Advanced Advertising Studies in March of 2002
- Saint Mary's University of Minnesota in Winona: Graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Social Science and a Minor in Political Science.
A True Minnesotan:
Either the thick Minnesotan accent or the Vikings jersey will give her away as a Minnesotan to the core. She loves spending summer weekends up at her family's cabin, or camping in the great outdoors.
Lifestyle:
Heather was a Girl Scout for 12 years, and that didn't stop her from selling cookies in her high school cafeteria and making a bundle on sales. Due to a "pinky-swear" when she was 12, she is now a Girl Scout Leader at St. Rose of Lima Grade School.
Too Organized:
Talk about keeping our ducks in a row, Heather knows organization is key when big strategies and small details are needed. As an expert juggler, she has learned that it is a whole lot easier to keep her teams in line than it is to be a Girl Scout leader for her troop of 10 girls. She's the one who makes sure everything's in order - creative briefs, timelines, budgets, and clear, friendly communication every step of the way. Her Type-A personality comes in handy when managing client projects and a variety of teams at Risdall... Although it can be a tiresome trait when she finds herself alphabetizing and color coding movies at home.
What would you and others say are five of your personality pluses?
- Energy: My enthusiasm and positive demeanor get people motivated
- Organized: I'm one of those anal people who has everything in its place
- Details: The little details are never overlooked, they can make or break the project
- Communication: I am a strong communicator, people are always on the same page
- Direct: I don't beat around the bush, more gets done that way (but it stays tactful)
Little Known Fact:
Working among the 200+ candy jars at Risdall is a perfect fit for Heather. She had previous jobs with a candy shop, a fudge factory, a bakery, and an ice cream shop.
Crucial Detail:
She read the book "Freckle Juice" way too much as a little kid, and she still believes that a cure will be found someday. (Except for those Irish blood...and with the maiden name of "O'Dea.")
Account Experience:
Advanced Dental Group
American Marketing Association
Archway Marketing Services
AGS Globe
BioScrip
Broad Education Inc.
Cold Steel
Conwed Plastics
Fairview Health Services
Gareth Stevens Publishing
Honeywell Federal Credit Union
Imagine Print Solutions
Marshall Fields
Million Dollar Idea
Montgomery Dental Care
Mounds View Schools
Pearson
Quixtar
Spring Lake Park Schools
Theatre de la Jeune Lune
Tristan Publishing
Vista Technologies
Western National Insurance
Winthrop & Weinstine