 |
| Linda schooling the crowd on what it's like to be a leader! |
Linda Brantner: CEO, Wichita State Alumni Achievement Award Honoree
Neil Stratman: Singer, Writer, Performer, "Mixtapes for an Ex-Girlfriend"
Meb Keflezighi: Winner, Boston Marathon (interviewed by me)
Suzi Brantner: Fundraiser, Executive Director, SCARF
Act 1
You know an event is important if you can get our entire, scattered, family to meet up in Wichita on a Wednesday night. Such was the case when we learned that Linda was being honored by her wheat-schucking alma mater for an amazing career that spanned two and a half decades.
There we sat, six Jayhawks and one Illinois grad, surrounded by an engaged Shocker alumnus, listening to what ranks as one of the single most inspirational speeches I've ever had the honor of seeing in person. It was not simply a ceremony to list off Linda's achievements as CEO of Delta Dental, which are numerous and long-lasting. It was a story-telling opportunity, the tale of how a trained art student was bit by the business bug after college, and how her passion for both art, business and, eventually, insurance led to a unique and fruitful career path.
 |
| The awardee, looking calm and collected before her speech |
 |
| Dad surprising Linda, probably trying to take credit for writing her speech |
 |
| The fam, enjoying meal, wine and conversation, just a bit more dressed up than usual |
It's an impossible task to sum up a successful 25 year career in one non-filibuster speech, which is precisely why the WSU Alumni Association made videos to show us before the speakers took the stage. Linda's ten minute video included interviews with long time co-workers who spoke glowingly of her passion for the job and her leadership, plus the results she was able to achieve while in the captain's chair at Delta Dental (see the full bio below).
The video chronicled how much the company prospered during her time as an exec, both in staff and revenues. It alluded to her hands-on and enthusiastic style as a leader, as well as her penchant for voicing an informed opinion, regardless of whether or not it went with, or in contrast to, the overall group sentiment.
More importantly, it highlighted just how serious she could be. When it came to costumes. The evening's levity reminded us that no one would out-costume her at work. And if that meant that she had to hide in her office all day before a "big reveal", then so be it. Seeing that the costume closet at her house has now helped three generations of Brantners and Whites win Halloween (and the random Thursday), this came as no surprise to the fam.
Once the video concluded, Linda took the stage as the final of seven speakers. The event ended on a high note. She spoke with such passion about her time at Delta, and seeming to enjoy every minute up on stage, vascilated between stories of lessons learned and successes, with the perfect amount of candor and humor mixed in there. It was an amazing speech!
I was struck by how comfortable she was and truly inspired by the stories she told. From negotiating a few cents extra per hour at Pizza Hut corporate early in her career, to strategizing how to bring Delta Dental into the modern age, and everything in between, she had us and the rest of the packed room hanging on her every word.
She gleefully led us through her illustrious career, in which she not only thrived from a business perspective, but also put a great amount of her energy and support into philanthropic, artistic and community efforts. Her pride in these latter efforts was palatable, and serves as a great lesson for professionals trying to prioritize what really matters.
Amazingly she made it through without being overwhelmed by emotion, which is more than I can say for myself and rest of our table. Our family avoided direct eye contact until our tear ducts had had sufficient time to dry out again.
I've since remarked to my dad how I wish that the two of them would have sat me down years earlier - they're currently celebrating their 10-year wedding anniversary in Europe - and allowed (nay, forced) her to tell me her story in detailed fashion. There's a difference between knowing that she was a CEO and really understanding how she got there. This story of smarts, wit, passion, creative thinking and a solid understanding of business strategy should be used to inspire my generation and other's to find their place in the world.
Wichita State has a real winner on their hands! Seeing the Alumni Association's response to her speech that night, along with the fact that they had her batting clean up, they realize this and are as honored to count her as a Shocker as she is proud to be one.
I've always been proud of Linda, and I hope that as a result of this award more and more people will get a chance to know her, and her story. If you've ever heard a cliche about working hard paralleling success, go ahead and put Linda's name next to it. I know that I'll think of her when challenged at work, and when reflecting on where my career is, and where it is headed. I'll try to make less excuses, and just get things done. I'll work harder on my costumes.
The entire White/Brantner family was extremely honored to be a part of her special evening.
Congrats again to Linda Brantner, a 2013 Wichita State Alumni Achievement Award Winner!
 |
| Linda, along with the rest of the award winners |
 |
| Linda's appropriately artistic award, on the mantle |
Linda's full bio, per the WSU Alumni Association:
WSU Achievement Award
Linda Brantner has always been one of those key Wichita people you should know. In 2012, that became a statewide item of note when Ingram’s identified her as one of 50 Kansans You Should Know. That same year, the Wichita Business Journal recognized her with its Women in Business Award. Now retired, Brantner served as president and CEO of Delta Dental of Kansas. In that role, she provided strategic direction for the company and represented Kansas to the national Delta Dental Plans Association through her membership and service to its board of directors. In her 25 years with the company, revenues grew from $7 million in 1988 to $250 million in 2012. Under her executive leadership in 2008, Delta Dental of Kansas was presented the state’s highest quality award, the Kansas Excellence Award. Prior to being named president and CEO in 2006, Brantner served first as director of operations and then as chief operating officer. Described by colleagues and associates as intelligent, motivated, compassionate and as having a flair for the artistic and theatrical, Brantner is connected to numerous community and university organizations, including the WSU National Advisory Committee, the Ulrich Museum of Art Advisory Board, the United Way of the Plains, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Wichita Art Museum. For her professional prowess and dedication to bettering her community, Linda Brantner is recognized with a 2013 WSU Achievement Award.
No comments:
Post a Comment