Margaret VanderLaan exhibited her sense of leadership during her stay at Gannon, seemingly foreshadowing her future as a professional. As Vice President of Global Communications at MWH Global – a wet infrastructure firm devoted to the protection, storage, enhancement, and distribution of water – she works to increase the firm’s brand awareness and thus, strengthen customer and employee loyalty.
Margaret was the founding president of Lambda Sigma Honors Society at Gannon in 1987 and holds countless other honors, including Presidential Ambassador from 1987 to 1989, SGA Outstanding Senior Award in May, 1989, Downtown Denver Partnership’s Volunteer of the Year Award in July, 2009, Gannon’s Distinguished Alumni Award 2011, Joseph J. Wherle Memorial Award for Distinguished Service 1989, and the Academic Award for Excellence in Theatre and Communication Arts 1989. Her professional career has landed her on many councils and boards of directors, as well.
When remembering college, her times spent at the Schuster Theater, AJ Miceli and Dr. Bertl Weber stand out as favorable moments as she accredits Gannon with reinforcing her values and offering her practical experience atop the usual classroom learning. “Always follow your True North and moral compass,” Margaret suggests, “and only work for organizations that match your value set.”
(Published June 2014)