Ginger is recognized by many as a foremost global authority on building and sustaining organizational culture

Recognized by many as a foremost global authority on building and sustaining organizational culture, Ginger was responsible for the activities at Southwest that nourished the culture and the internal and external communications function. Ginger was a tireless ambassador of the world-famous Southwest Culture, leading to honors such as being a perpetual standout on FORTUNE’s “Most Admired Companies in the World” list. She helped champion the values, purpose and “Best Place to Work” initiatives at the nation’s largest airline.

Upon her retirement, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly said “Ginger has made countless contributions to Southwest. She has been an invaluable business partner, advisor, and mentor. She brings constant, positive energy and enthusiasm to all those around her, and that is infectious. She has built superb teams that we are very proud of, and that I know will continue her special brand of excellence.”

Ginger has received numerous honors throughout her career, including induction into the Public Relations Hall of Fame and Page Hall of Fame in 2023, the highest award in her profession.  She has been named as one of Texas’ Most Powerful and Influential Women and received the prestigious Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication from the Arthur W. Page Center. PRWeek has named her multiple times to its Top 50 Power list and 50 Most Powerful Women in Public Relations.  She was named “Legendary Communicator” by Southern Methodist University and Legacy Award honoree by the Plank Center for Leadership.

Ginger currently serves as Global Chair of the Board for Ronald McDonald House Charities which operates in 64 countries.  In Dallas, she serves on the board of The Trinity Park Conservancy and was a past president of the Trinity Commons Foundation. Ginger previously served on advisory boards of Novartis in Basel, Switzerland; Page, the premier global association for communications; Business Civic Leadership Center, an affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Big Brothers and Sisters of Metropolitan Dallas; Southwest Cares; and the Council of Public Relations Firms.

Before beginning her career at Southwest Airlines in 1990, Ginger held a variety of marketing and public relations positions at Maxus Energy Corporation, Diamond Shamrock Corporation, and Life Insurance Company of the Southwest.

Ginger earned a B.A. in advertising/public relations from Texas Tech University and was recognized as an outstanding alumna by the College of Mass Communications at Texas Tech University.

Ginger lives in Dallas, TX and Santa Fe, NM with her husband, Kelly.

That Peter Drucker was right when he said that “culture eats strategy for breakfast.”

That unstoppable cultures create high performing organizations.

It’s OK to come to work with a smile, but leave with a bigger one.  

That freedom trumps rules, and that autonomy beats handbooks every day of the week.

That bosses should be mentors not prison guards.

In creating stories worthy of being told.

In Hanover Bear’s experience in the Nashville Airport.

In infusing environments with optimism.

That hard work should not go unnoticed.

In the type of energy that cannot be contained.

That something fun should happen every day.

It’s imperative to be consistent in discipline.

That compassion is more contagious than pink eye.

In intentionally creating space to dream, create, and explore.

In serving others not because we must, but because we can.

That one extra hug is so worth it.

It’s essential to give all employees every tool they need to succeed.

In the Golden Rule.

That employees should feel as proud of their workplace as they do their kids.

In not only showing employees that they are valued, but loved.

In family dinners where employees can’t wait to share about their day.

In an authentic passion for people – for their stories, their hopes, their dreams, and their fears.

In finding turkey sandwiches.

In organizational cultures that put people first, are constantly nourished, and share stories relentlessly.

That any organization can create and sustain a culture of enduring greatness.