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Imagine an American version of Italian beauty Gina Lolobrigida - a movie star well known by the baby-boom generation. Then imagine a whirlwind. Combine the two and you have something close to the likeness of Gina Wright, President / Chief Executive Officer of The Leader Publishing Group. Based in Atlanta, GA, Gina’s "publishing empire" (not her words but appropriate nonetheless) has grown from one business magazine in 1995 to the present three magazines plus LeaderCustomMedia. Pick up the slick and savvy Business-To-Business ("B2B") publication, or Catalyst, or the newest Jewish Life magazine, and you can quickly see Ms. Wright’s imprint and influence on Atlanta’s landscape. But where did this dynamo come from, and how did she get to be on first name basis with Atlanta’s movers and shakers? It’s Hickory, NC that Gina calls home and it is there her parents still reside. Leaving her small town roots to attend the University of NC in Chapel Hill, she graduated in 1991 with a degree in Journalism. If you had asked her then, she would have told you emphatically that her career goal was to be in radio and television; specifically a sports commentator. That’s not the way it turned out. At least, not so far. Instead, Gina’s first job out of college was in advertising sales with Bond Publishing. It was there she gained invaluable experience in launching magazines up and down the east coast. But the type of magazines were definitely NOT for business readers, but rather, for those interested in weddings or relocation. It was only when she was exploring the Atlanta area and that there were no business magazines, that her new direction was determined. Arriving in Atlanta in 1996, Ms. Wright literally knew no one and therefore had no immediate contacts. In fact, as she began her rounds of networking and introductions, she didn’t typically tell people that she was the publisher and founder of the new Business-to-Business magazine because she was not at all sure that being a young 20-something female from out of town would help her credibility. Nevertheless, there was something special about Gina, and her confidence in herself and her publication was contagious. Things began to happen. Today what you find is a highly visible and successful 30-something year old woman of achievement who calls Southern Company’s Bill Dahlberg, former UPS chairman, Jim Kelley, Theragenics CEO, Christine Jacobs, and former Spelman President, Johnetta Cole, mentors and the people who have most inspired and influenced her life. Under her direction at the Leader Publishing Group, Ms. Wright has twenty-five people including three publishers and many department heads. She’s obviously proud of their accomplishments. She’s also determined to bring out the leadership in the group and to ensure that it’s the best it can be. She strongly believes that a leader has to multitask, and must be able to inspire internally as well as externally. She also believes fervently in the importance of the leader’s role in motivating others. Recently Gina promoted Elizabeth Marchant to VP of her organization – in addition to her current role as publisher of B2B. She sees in Elizabeth all of the leadership traits that she feels are necessary to take the organization through the tough times and into the good times once again. As for her own accomplishments and future plans, Gina speaks less. She’s clearly reflective about her personal life and goals and is working on an exit strategy for down the road. Gina in New York? Gina, as a wife and mother? Gina the politician? All of these are possibilities for this dynamic diva who obviously could do anything she sets her mind to do. She’s definitely someone to watch for the future. September 2001
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