I’m so glad we met that day, Bruce

What will people remember about the way you made them feel, especially when they needed encouragement, honesty or someone firmly in their corner? Since the passing of my dear friend Bruce McDonald, I’ve been thinking deeply about the impact we create through everyday acts of kindness and support. His life offers a powerful example of how generously sharing our time, experience and belief in others can shape lives for years to come.

I met Bruce several years ago at the top end of Collins Street in Melbourne.

I was walking into a building to attend the Australian Marketing Institute AGM when he held the door open for me. After a friendly exchange, we somehow got talking. He asked what had brought me there, and I explained that I was attending the AGM.

Bruce told me he worked in marketing, so I began telling him about AMI. As I heard more of his story, I took the liberty of inviting him to join me.

He would have loved to, he said, though he already had another meeting to attend. He was very interested in coming to a future event, learning more about AMI and getting involved.

At our next event, Bruce was there.

He loved it and very quickly became part of the community.

A generous leader

I was Deputy Chair of the AMI Victorian State Committee at the time. Bruce joined the committee and immediately began contributing his considerable expertise, energy and ideas.

Soon afterwards, I was appointed Chair and Bruce was appointed Deputy Chair.

He served faithfully throughout my tenure, including leading the membership subcommittee during a period of significant growth and engagement. For the first time, Victoria surpassed New South Wales in its number of active members.

Bruce cared deeply about the profession and the people within it.

He mentored many young marketers through AMI’s Emerging Marketers Program, along with countless others he supported informally. That was simply the kind of person he was. He took the time to listen, encourage, share what he knew and help people find their way.

I know many young lives and careers were shaped by his care, experience and generosity.

Bruce brought enormous professional knowledge to every room he entered. After three decades at Ford Australia, he was a highly respected industry leader. I only ever heard the highest praise for him, both for his professional ability and for the way he treated people.

His expertise earned respect. His kindness earned the affection of so many - he was a genuinely loved person in our profession. 

The person beside me

To me, Bruce was far more than a Deputy Chair. He became a dear friend and one of the kindest, most loyal and supportive people I could have asked to serve alongside.

He was always there.

Bruce spoke frankly and freely. He never hesitated to call a spade a spade, and I valued that deeply. He was someone I could speak with when circumstances were tough and I needed a listening ear or a trusted sounding board.

He also went far beyond listening. Bruce was proactive and vocal in his support for me.

Leadership can carry its share of difficult moments. We experienced a few of those during the years we served together. Bruce would often encourage me after I had chaired a particularly tough meeting. At other times, he simply made himself available as a friend.

His encouragement helped me lead through some challenging circumstances. I always knew he was in my corner, and that made an enormous difference.

Over the years, I became incredibly close to Bruce and we shared many significant professional moments together. His presence had a significant impact on me, personally too, and I believe I'm a better leader because of his support during that time. 

A lifelong ambition fulfilled

When my tenure as Victorian Chair came to a close, Bruce also concluded his service on the Victorian State Committee too. He was soon after appointed to the AMI national board, fulfilling what had been a lifelong ambition.

I was so thrilled for him.

It felt fitting that someone who had given so much to AMI and the profession would have the opportunity to contribute at a national level.

Last year Bruce was honoured as a Life Member at the Australian Marketing Excellence Awards. He was unable to attend after suffering a stroke, and I was deeply emotional as his name was announced - because i was so happy to see him recognised in this way.

His influence reached thousands of people across several decades. He was a leader at Ford Australia for 30 years, a respected member of our profession, a mentor to emerging marketers, an AMI Life Member and a devoted contributor to the community he chose to join after that chance meeting on Collins Street.

I knew how much that honour would have meant to him. Life Membership recognised what so many of us had already experienced firsthand: decades of service, leadership, mentorship and care for the marketing profession and its people.

The mark Bruce leaves

News of Bruce’s passing brought profound sadness. I was sitting on a bus of Grade Six children heading to school camp, where I was volunteering as a parent helper when I got the news. The sounds of the excitable children were immediately muted as I went into a bubble of sadness and reflected on his life, and the connection we had built. 

His professional contribution was immense. The individual lives he shaped are an equally meaningful part of his legacy.

Including mine. 

I will always be sad that Bruce is no longer with us. I will also always be grateful for the role he played in my life, the Victorian State Committee and the Australian marketing community.

Most of all, I will remember his kindness.

Bruce, I’m so glad we met that day at the top of Collins Street. I will never forget you. I will always be grateful for you, and today I celebrate your life.