Talent Champion – Debbie Botwick

Talent Champion Spotlight

AEF Talent Champion - Debbie Botwick

Debbie Botwick
Senior Director, Global Marketing Excellence Training 
Pfizer

When Debbie Botwick was in elementary school, she used to go to sleep to the sound of an old-fashioned Smith-Corona electric typewriter. Her mother had gone back to school to get a bachelor’s degree. Botwick took away a significant life lesson about the importance and value of education.

After many years in marketing at Pfizer, Botwick had a minor crisis of purpose. And bringing forward that life lesson, she leaned into finding a role that would align with her core values and discovered the learning and development discipline. She has spent the last 5 years at Pfizer focused on supporting the global Pfizer marketing community in doing their jobs better by providing learning resources and platforms. At Pfizer, Botwick is also an active ally the Global Black Community. She also spends some time giving back as a board director for Working for Women, a not for profit organization focused on effecting social change for underserved women in the workforce.

What prompted you to get involved with the AEF and why are you passionate about the future of the industry?

The truth is – it was an accident. I learned of an event that was bringing together a group of peers across industries to talk about Marketing Transformation and Capabilities – which is something I focus on in my role and am passionate about. Then I learned more about AEF – their mission and issues align to my values. Youth is our future, not just in advertising, but in everything so I am eager to do whatever makes sense to support future generations.

What is the best career advice you've ever received?

Don’t waste time doing something you are not passionate about – but it took me many years to make that happen.

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Working with like-minded freaks inside and outside my company who find joy in helping others do their jobs better.

"Our future marketing and advertising leaders are not just looking for a job, they are looking for a meaningful career that will make a positive impact on society."
— Gord McLean, President and CEO at ANA Educational Foundation