Key Points

• Hilda Dunn's first day at Marathon Petroleum was memorable due to car troubles, but her excitement for the job kept her motivated, leading to a 30-year career as an administrative professional.
• Dunn's willingness to learn and adapt helped her build strong connections and confidence, making her a valuable team member and mentor.
• Dunn's dependability, organization and passion for helping others have been key to her long-lasting success.

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Any first day on the job comes with a mix of emotions, nerves and excitement. By the end of it, most people just hope to feel a little more confident than when they first walked through the door.

For Hilda Dunn, that’s exactly how her first day at Marathon Petroleum felt, even when she walked out to the parking lot and discovered her car battery was dead. Her car troubles didn’t stop the bright-eyed intern from showing up again the next day. In fact, she’s continued to show up for 30 years.

“No, that didn’t stop me. Well, I suppose it did for a bit, at least until I got a jump that day,” Dunn said with a laugh. “But the excitement and just the thought of what might lie ahead meant more to me than a bit of a rough start. I knew I was right where I wanted to be.”

Three decades later, Dunn is a senior administrative assistant in Marathon Petroleum’s Government Affairs organization. Her career has been shaped by the people she’s worked with and her willingness to learn and adapt along the way.

Building a Career

Dunn’s early days as an intern quickly turned into a full-time opportunity. She pushed herself outside her comfort zone, eager to learn new skills and began building the kind of confidence she admits she didn’t always have. That drive allowed her to work across multiple departments and form strong connections that she says have made all the difference.

“I was already familiar with the people I needed to go to with questions, and that made the transition to full-time so much smoother,” Dunn said. “That’s why I try to make myself available to others any time I can, because one thing I’ve known from the start is that we’re one big team here.”

Sarita Flores, Senior Administrative Assistant in the Law Department, points out that Dunn’s generosity and care for others are unmatched.

“Hilda’s always been a great friend and colleague. She puts everyone else first and goes above and beyond for those she cares about,” Flores said. “From helping me when I broke my ankle to going on work and personal adventures together, I truly cherish her friendship and the example she sets in how she carries herself and supports others.”

This type of positive impact is echoed by many colleagues. Dunn and Priscilla Tabler met through coworkers more than a decade ago and formed a lasting friendship.

“The best part is working alongside my colleagues. They’re incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. That makes it easy to show up every day.” 

“From the beginning, she stood out for her pride in working at Marathon and her natural way of making others feel welcome and included,” said Tabler, Senior Executive Administrative Assistant in the Finance & Accounting Department. “She’s professional, positive and thoughtful. She is always encouraging others to get involved, whether it’s volunteering, supporting a cause or just showing up for one another. Her friendship, wisdom and steady support have meant the world to me through the years.”

That sense of connection has been a key to Dunn’s success over the years. She encourages anyone starting out in any role to connect with their peers and to never hesitate to ask questions.

“Get to know the people around you,” Dunn said. “Lean on your administrative professionals. We’re incredibly knowledgeable, willing to help and do our best to familiarize ourselves with as much as we can. That’s part of what gives us a real sense of pride in what we do.”

A Changing Workplace

Over the years, Dunn has watched technology transform how she works. She remembers taking notes in shorthand, using carbon paper to create duplicate letters and transcribing legal documents on a Dictaphone machine.

“I remember when computers, photocopiers and scanners came along,” she said. “Back then, that kind of technology felt like something out of the future. Those tools made my job a lot easier, and it was like, wow, look at us go.”

While her workflows have certainly sped up and now include leveraging AI assistance, Dunn admits there are still a few things she prefers to keep simple. She starts each day with a handwritten to-do list and keeps quick-reference notes nearby to stay organized and help her team, which is spread across the country and sometimes travels internationally.

“No matter how much things change, I’ve found that staying organized and being dependable never go out of style,” Dunn said. “Whether it’s helping my team or stepping up when something needs done, I take a lot of pride in being someone people can count on.”

She’s also never been shy about taking on more. From 2008 to 2010, she served as secretary to the board for what is now the MPC Charity Golf Outing benefiting the United Way of Hancock County, one of her proudest accomplishments. That passion to make a difference has kept Dunn busy through many other charity and volunteer efforts with the company.

“I’m proud to work for a company that does so much for the community,” she said.

Always Learning

For Dunn, being an administrative professional is about more than keeping calendars straight. It’s about connecting dots, establishing and improving processes and helping behind the scenes.

“Hilda is the backbone of our team, and we couldn’t do it without her,” said Lavelle Edmonson, State Government Affairs Director at Marathon Petroleum. “She’s dedicated, always on top of things, and plays a crucial role in keeping everything running smoothly. We’re incredibly lucky to have her.”

When asked how she stays motivated, her answer is simple: the people.

“I still enjoy the work I do,” she said. “The best part is working alongside my colleagues. They’re incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. We share trust, understanding and appreciation for one another. That makes it easy to show up every day.”

That sense of connection is also what keeps her looking ahead.

“As long as I’m learning and growing, I’ll keep showing up,” Dunn said.

Outside of work, Dunn spends much of her time caring for her family. She also enjoys being with her two dogs, whether they’re relaxing at home, visiting the dog park or traveling the country in her RV.

And one fun fact many may not know: Hilda is actually her middle name.

“My first name is Socorro,” she said. “Most people find it difficult to pronounce, so I go by Hilda.”