Karen Kaplan climbed to becoming the CEO of advertising firm Hill Holiday after starting off as just a receptionist on the job over 30 years ago.
Kaplan, 53, told her story to Business Insider, describing how she started her receptionist job back in 1982.
As a 22-year-old, she had no advertising experience but eventually learned and started climbing up the ladder.
Earlier this month, Kaplan was named as CEO of one of the largest ad agencies.
Kaplan said she took advantage of sitting at the reception desk and met everyone who passed her desk to go to the kitchen or bathroom, including executives, top clients and VIP guests.
"I met more people that first year in town than anyone in the agency," she said.
She recalled that she did not have the skills to be a secretary, not being able to type and having no knowledge of shorthand.
However, she moved on to the traffic department, to design, to account management and collected every business card along the way.
"I had the same 12 jobs that everyone has, I've just had them all at Hill Holliday," she said. "In 1984, there was a woman who was a senior and a role model of mine, and she said, if you want to get anywhere in this industry you have to go drinking with the boys...But I didn't do it. I was newly married. I focused on the work."
She recalled, "If I ever felt unwelcome or unappreciated I'd shift over to something else because there are plenty of options. I never felt like there was a disadvantage in any sustained way."
Kaplan said that she was not surprised to be named CEO but plans on being a good one. "I don't feel like I now have the title and I'll plant a flag. Among CEOs, there are good CEOs and better CEOs."
She continued: "You can make your mark in every single job," Kaplan said. "I still run into people today who remember me from when I was a receptionist who say, 'You were the best damn receptionist in the history of receptionists.'"
