Based in the quiet countryside of Blackburn, Oklahoma, event marketing manager Mary King-Moore seamlessly blends rural serenity with the dynamic pace of global event marketing. The former Dallas-based luxury retail professional turned event marketer has been with MCI USA nearly three years. In this spotlight, Mary shares how working remotely from her farm fuels her creativity and why no two days in her role ever look the same. Read on as she opens up about her biggest lessons learned, her love of storytelling (she’s a published author), and the surprising passions (like running a farm) that keep her life as exciting as the events she works on. 

1. What’s the best thing about your job?
I love that my “commute” is just a few steps past our chicken coop and garden. Working remotely from my farm has been a game-changer. But what really keeps me energized is the pace and variety of event marketing. No two days are ever the same, and the unexpected requests that pop up constantly keep things interesting. It makes the hours fly by and the work feel fresh every day.

2. What have been some of the most important lessons you’ve learned throughout your career?
Be kind to everyone; relationships matter more than titles. Find your people at work — the ones you can lean on and laugh with (and vent to when needed). And never stop taking risks or learning. Growth doesn’t come from staying comfortable, and every new challenge is an opportunity to level up.

3. What would you say is your biggest accomplishment?
Personally, my greatest accomplishment is raising four incredible kids with my husband. We have a family practice MD, a logistics manager at Uber Freight, an Amazon business manager, and our youngest is a junior at OU in the Sooner Works program. Watching them grow into who they are today has been the most rewarding part of my life.

Professionally, I’m proud of making a bold career shift — from luxury retail management to event marketing — later in life. Reinventing yourself isn’t always easy, but it’s been one of the most fulfilling decisions I’ve made. 

4. As an avid reader, what are some book recommendations you can share with your fellow talents, for professional growth and for fun?
Oh, this is a tough one! I could easily fill a page. 

For professional growth, “The Leader Who Had No Title” by Robin Sharma was a standout for me. I also recommend anything by Adam Grant. “Think Again” really stuck with me. Right now, I’m reading “Contagious: Why Things Catch On” by Jonah Berger, and I even recommended it to our marcom team. 

For fun, my shelves are a mix of genres. I love fantasy (think “Eragon,” “Project Hail Mary,” “Throne of Glass”), but historical fiction has my heart. “The Kitchen Front,” “The Indigo Girl” and “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” are a few favorites. And I can never resist a good memoir like “The Honey Bus,” “Educated” or “Greenlights.” 

Basically, I’ll read anything with a strong voice and a good story! 

5. What’s something surprising not many people know about you?
Plenty! I’m ambidextrous, I once ran a 15-acre cannabis farm for three years (despite never having smoked), and I write fiction under a pen name inspired by my time in luxury retail — think Neiman Marcus backrooms meets bold storytelling. The book series, #HeidtMoore, is even in early discussions for a TV adaptation, so stay tuned! Lately, I’ve also been diving into gardening and am unexpectedly proud of my veggies. There’s something pretty magical about harvesting your own dinner just steps from your office.