Jinji Hadaga

Ginger Hadago recently left Southwest Airlines, the nation's largest airline, after 25 years as senior vice president of culture and communications. As a member of the CEO's Executive Leadership team, Ginger is responsible for leading a team of 150 people to build and sustain the organization's storied culture and communications. Recognized as a global authority on building and sustaining organizational culture, Ginger is responsible for fostering organizational culture through events that serve to communicate internally and externally. Ginger is a world-renowned cultural ambassador for Southwest Airlines, and for her tireless efforts, Southwest Airlines has been named one of Fortune's 10 Most Admired Companies in the World for 23 consecutive years. Above all, she is committed to upholding the values that have made Southwest's culture endure - putting people first, treating customers as family, fostering culture, and leading change. In addition to leading Southwest's Best Place to Work initiative, Hadgar has spearheaded cultural and communications change at the airline, expanding communications capabilities by building stronger internal communications capabilities and focusing on corporate philanthropy programs. In addition, she leads the company's Culture Committee, which is responsible for employee recognition and engagement, as well as all company celebrations. On the occasion of her retirement, Southwest CEO Gary Kelly commented on Ginger's contributions to Southwest Airlines. She is an invaluable business partner, advisor and mentor. She is very infectious and brings a constant positive energy and enthusiasm to those around her. She has built a super team that we are proud of and continues her commitment to brand excellence. Over the course of her career, Ginger has received numerous awards and honors, including PR Week's Top 50 and Texas's 50 Most Powerful Women in PR. In 2007, Southern Methodist University awarded him the title of Legendary Communicator. She was inducted into the Public Relations Hall of Fame in 2015, received the Legacy Award from the Plank Leadership Center in 2016, and was selected as executor of the James C. Bowling Intramural Lecture Series at the University of Kentucky in 2005. Ginger currently serves on the boards of two global organizations - Ronald McDonald House Charities Foundation and the Arthur Page Society. She is a board member of The Trinity Park Conservancy in Dallas, the new president of the Trinity Commons Foundation, Board advisor, Center for Performance Excellence, Dallas. Before that, She has held positions with Novartis of Switzerland, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Business Civic Leadership Center, and Big Brothers and Sisters of Metropolitan Board consultant for Dallas, Southwest Cares, and the Council of Public Relations Firms. Ginger joined Southwest Airlines in 1990 after holding positions in marketing and public relations at Maxus Energy, Diamond Shamrock and Life Insurance Company of the Southwest. Ginger holds a Bachelor's degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Texas Tech University and is a recognized distinguished alumnus of Texas Tech's School of Mass Communication. In 2017, Kingy launched the brand Unstoppable Cultures, which aims to help companies create culture and make it last. As a consultant and speaker, Ginger is highly sought after for her expertise and global visibility, and Google and Princeton University have extended invitations to her events.