Kim Grozek
Vice President – Internal Communications
How long have you been a member of IABC?
I joined IABC six years ago.
What is your current position/company?
I am a communications manager with Charles Schwab, leading strategic communications programs that improve business partner efficiency and contribute to a superior employee and advisor experience.
What is your favorite aspect of your job?
Writing lured me into communications, and it remains my favorite aspect of the job. Second to writing, I like being part of a global business environment where I collaborate with talented colleagues worldwide on communications strategies and projects. The explosive growth of new media also interests me, making it such an exciting time to be a communications professional.
What do you hope to gain from your membership/involvement with IABC?
I look forward to building strong professional relationships, learning new skills through the organization’s development programs and forging new friendships.
What words of advice do you have for young professionals?
Find yourself a mentor. Mentors provide career guidance, offer new perspectives and share professional contacts. Some mentors even help navigate corporate culture and policies (like mine). Also, commit to your professional development by joining organizations like IABC. Professional organizations provide you with countless learning opportunities and ample networking.
Who was/were your biggest professional influence(s)?
Over the years, several people have influenced my work life. These colleagues worked hard, displayed passion and showed courage. But what I appreciated most was their ability to see unlimited possibilities – even after years on the job. They just never stopped imagining.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I try to get outdoors by hiking, running or walking my dogs. My other pastimes include reading (my guilty pleasure – chick lit novels), writing, aerobics and visiting with family and friends.
What destination do you want to travel to the most?
I want to travel everywhere, but my current short list of dream trips includes a cruise down the Rhine River, snorkeling in Bora Bora, studying the remnants of Pompeii and revisiting the Ring of Kerry in Ireland.
