ARDEN LEIDL

What brought you to KPU and your program of study?

I’ve always been a creative person, whether through drawing, photography, scrapbooking, or crochet and knitting. I was looking for a way to channel those creative interests into a practical, real-world career. KPU’s GDMA program felt like the right fit to develop those skills in a way that could translate into meaningful work.

Can you briefly describe your current position and your main day to day responsibilities?

I’m currently the Marketing Manager for an international travel network. My role involves a mix of strategy, communications, and creative execution. I review and redevelop corporate marketing materials, promote marketing tools to our agency network, and provide guidance on both internal and external communications. I also manage email marketing campaigns, support and promote the use of our custom content management system, and maintain our corporate web presence.

In addition, I develop and implement the strategy for our head office social media channels, support agencies with their own social media efforts, and help promote and execute international events.

Which skills, knowledge, or experiences from KPU have been most valuable in your career so far?

The GDMA program gave me a really solid foundation in both design and marketing/business strategy. This mix has been incredibly useful in my current role, where I get to combine creative thinking with more strategic decision-making every day. It’s allowed me to step into a marketing role that pulls on both sides of what I enjoy and do well. The creative and the analytical, which has been a really great fit for my career so far.

What advice would you give current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation?

Stay open-minded about where your career might take you. I originally thought I would end up designing packaging, or working in a more traditional design role, but I found myself in a marketing career that I genuinely love. Some of the best opportunities come from paths you don’t expect, so be willing to explore them.