Title: President and CEO
Website: www.impactgrouphr.com
Industry: human resources consulting
Education: BBA from the University of Notre Dame, MBA from Washington University in St. Louis
Family: Single. Born and raised in St. Louis, I worked with my parents at IMPACT Group until they retired at the end of last year.
Mission: To make a positive impact on the lives I touch.
What was your first job?
I chose to answer this as my first “real job.” After college, I moved to San Juan with the Puerto Rico Center for Social Concerns. I worked at a community center in a low-income neighborhood and started an economic development program there where I helped people gain access to microloans to start small businesses. I also started a mentoring program with high school seniors, many of whom I still keep in touch with via Facebook!
What led you to your industry?
It was never my intention to move back to St. Louis and work at IMPACT Group; however, I made a “temporary” stop here after leaving Puerto Rico, and it just felt right to stay. I was practically born into this industry, so it definitely feels like the right fit.
What was the smartest thing your company did in the past year?
We are currently reaping the rewards from a decision we made back in 2007, when we acquired the Spherion HRC outplacement organization with the intention of having a counter-cyclical offering to our other services. The outplacement industry is currently booming, and we are truly blessed to be doing so well during these challenging economic times.
Who is your industry role model?
My personal and professional role model has always been and always will be my mom, Laura Herring.
What’s the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is managing the competing priorities of the “urgent” versus the “important.” While we are doing well right now, my job is to make sure we are poised to continue our success into the future.
What’s the best part?
I love that I get to come to work every day and build a culture that I am proud of. We have an incredible team at IMPACT Group, and I am always striving to create the kind of environment where people want to be, where they can make a difference and where our customers work with us because of our difference.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be true to yourself—it’s great advice for both business and personal purposes.
What’s your favorite place in St. Louis?
Anywhere in Forest Park—especially looking at the art museum from across the Grand Basin.
What book is on your nightstand?
I’m usually reading several books at a time—a business book, a personal growth book and a novel. Right now that combination consists of “Snowball” by Alice Schroeder (the Warren Buffett biography), “Seat of the Soul” by Gary Zukov and “The Gargoyle” by Andrew Davidson.
What has made you successful in your industry and in St. Louis?
I make it my business to think big, have big goals—such as developing our global presence to support our international services—as well as to know the details. Obviously, the higher up in the organization that you are, the more difficult the details are to come by, but by understanding how our business really works, this helps me to put the pieces together better on a strategic level as well as to connect better with my team because I know something about their job.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Now that spring is around the corner, I am looking forward to spending more time outside. I love to run and ride my bike, so I plan on doing the upcoming St. Louis Half Marathon, and I usually do several triathlons each year. I also enjoy reading, cooking and spending time relaxing with friends.