A Woman's Incredible Rise From Receptionist To CEO
By Laura Stampler
When Karen Kaplan, 53, first walked through the doors of Hill Holliday in 1982, she had no advertising experience, or even the shorthand skills to work as a secretary. The 22-year-old was placed at the front desk of the Interpublic-owned shop as a receptionist -- the bottom of the agency ladder.
Her first week on the job, two mean girls who worked hidden behind the closed doors of the switchboard room wanted to make sure that Kaplan knew just how low she was.
