2013 Most Influential Women Honoree: Kristen Bergman

Kristen Bergman believes leadership is born of a desire to impact something or someone.

“For me, it’s both,” says Bergman, a communications specialist with Dallas-based advertising agency Moroch Partners. “An accomplishment, to me, is something that makes my heart feel good. I’ve had so many moments like this personally and professionally, and I want it to be known that I have not done any of them alone. ‘It takes a village’ is my favorite saying, and it pertains to every aspect of my life.”

Before starting Sept. 4 with Moroch – she works out of her home and reports to offices in St. Louis and Oklahoma City – Bergman began her career in radio. She spent 10 years at Mid-West Family Broadcasting.

Bergman had the privilege of coaching and encouraging several women who worked for her as they advanced their radio careers.

“You can’t teach passion, but you can help it grow. I am thrilled I have gotten to inspire and motivate these young women to grow their careers,” she says.

A regular on-air personality, Bergman used her position and access to benefit others. She helped organize relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina and the devastating tornadoes in Joplin in 2011 and Moore, Okla., this year.

Bergman also enthusiastically dives in to support local nonprofits, such as Sertoma, the American Cancer Society, The Kitchen and Care to Learn. And when the American Diabetes Association needed assistance with its Red Ball Gala, she leapt to action.

“They really wanted to help Camp Earthworks, where 150 local kids with diabetes go to camp each summer to learn how to better control their disease and have fun,” Bergman says. “I ran with this. I was determined to send every single child to camp, and I wanted our listeners to pay for it.”

She teamed up with Family Pharmacy, a partnership that made this year’s Red Ball Gala one of the best attended and most profitable while also sending every child to camp.

Bergman’s most significant achievement while at Mid-West Family was the creation of KOSP 92.9 The Beat, one of the most successful station format launches for the company.

Moving out of radio and a job she loved is a leap of faith for Bergman, who is the public relations representative for McDonald’s of the Ozarks in her new role with Moroch.

“This position presented itself and my passion has always been doing good things for others where I live. Now I get to do it every day,” Bergman says. “I want to change perception.”[[In-content Ad]]