MARGARET ‘MIMI’ SINGER, 38
Executive director of staffing and employment,
LSU Office of Human Resource Management
Mimi Singer is in charge of staffing for one of the Capital Region’s largest employers. While bringing innovation to the division, she also earned a doctorate in human resource education. She is serving as president of the Greater Baton Rouge Society for Human Resource Management; during her tenure, the organization has raised its membership by 26% to nearly 400.
Inspiring book: Lean In
It encouraged me to speak up and seek challenges.
Major professional accomplishments: During my career, I advanced through the ranks to become the executive director of Staffing and Employment at LSU. Under my leadership, my team moved from a transactional function to one that provides added value through professional consultations with departments to meet the university’s goals. I earned PhD in Human Resource Education in 2013 with a 4.0 grade point average in graduate work. I received the Meritorious Service Award (2014), College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the profession, their institutions and CUPA-HR chapters). Phi Kappa Phi member (top 10 percent of graduate students). Chosen by senior LSU management as part of a select group to participate in the inaugural development program for emerging leaders, LSU’s LEAD (2005).
Volunteer and community involvement: Greater Baton Rouge Society for Human Resource Management (Professional organization of almost 400 Human Resource professionals) president, board of directors, 2014, and secretary, board of directors, 2013; SHRM Foundation Director, board of directors, 2012; College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, Louisiana Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter, secretary, board of directors, 2013; member, BREC Human Resources Advisory Committee, 2013; member, BRAC Talent Advisory Committee, 2013; chair, University Council on Women, LSU, academic year 2011; member, University Council on Women, LSU, academic years 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013; and member, Junior League of Baton Rouge, volunteer work with Salvation Army (School of Performing Arts) and Hollydays committee, 2012-present.
PROFESSIONAL
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a teacher like my mother. Education was always emphasized by my parents as a path that would open doors in any career.
What was your first job, and what did you learn from it? My first job was a Front Desk Receptionist at a local hotel. It was there that I learned the importance of customer service, professionalism, and teamwork.
What is your favorite place for a business lunch in Baton Rouge? Juban’s Creole Restaurant.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Professionally speaking, earning a PhD while working full-time and raising a family.
The old saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” Specifically, what are you “being” to make Baton Rouge better? I strive to recruit and retain outstanding talent to Baton Rouge employers. I contribute my personal time toward organizations that impact the Baton Rouge community positively as well, like the Junior League and the Greater Baton Rouge Society for Human Resource Management.
What ritual do you do to get pumped up before a big meeting, presentation or pitch? I always practice a few deep yoga cleansing breaths before a meeting to help calm my nerves and give me energy.
What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career so far? Seeing confidence grow within my staff and watching them promote to higher positions.
What was your professional aha moment? When I realized that all positions, no matter the level, has an impact to a company’s overall success.
How many times will you try something before admitting it doesn’t work? There is not a set number of tries but I definitely want to give a new initiative a fair chance to play out before deciding to unplug it.
What is your best productivity hack? I have been fortunate to be able to build a highly competent team to whom I am able to delegate work to.
What did you learn the hard way? Outlook and all other communication devices should be minimized while working on a project that requires a great deal of concentration. Otherwise, incoming emails can be extremely distracting!
What does your job entail that would shock customers or clients if they knew about it? When there are issues that no one knows who will handle it, it falls to Human Resources!
TECHNOLOGY
Mac or PC? PC
What’s your preferred mode of communication: text or phone call? Text for quick pieces of information, but phone calls when it is important to hear unwritten queues like tone and inflection.
How low will you allow your remaining battery life to get (in %) before you have an anxiety attack? 20%! I rely heavily on my smartphone for timely notifications of meetings, emails, texts and calls. On the rare occasion that I forget my phone at home, I feel lost most of the day!
How many unread messages are in your inbox right now? Thousands due to a fair amount of mass junk mail.
What app gets you through the day? My UP Jawbone fitness tracker app. It motivates me to get moving and provides great tips for healthy living!
Are you quick to adapt to new tech, or did you hang on to that flip phone way after it became obsolete? Definitely adapt well to new technology. I like to hear about the “newest thing” in technology for both my personal and professional use.
PERSONALITY
How many times do you hit the snooze button? Ashamedly, at least twice. While I often accomplish the most early in the day, I am not a morning person by nature.
Breakfast at home? Breakfast on the go? Breakfast at your desk? No breakfast at all? I am a creature of habit when it comes to breakfast. I eat it every day at home to help give me a boost of energy.
Is the glass half empty or half full? What’s in the glass? The glass is definitely half full. I am so thankful for everything that I have been blessed with, especially my two beautiful children.
If you could build a statue downtown, who or what would it represent? It would be a statue of my grandmother, Alice Hart Singer. She was a native of Baton Rouge who believed in the future of our dear city. As a child, I remember helping her stamp envelopes to send out communication to build support to revitalize downtown. She would be so proud to see it today and the plans for development in the future.
What’s your motto? Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
When did you realize you had grown up? When I became responsible for the well-being of two little human beings!
Which historical figure do you most identify with? Joan of Arc
What is your greatest extravagance? A quality massage.
If you could choose your age forever, what age would you choose and why? 26. I had just gotten established in the workforce and the world was my oyster.
What is your favorite journey? I studied abroad with LSU in Paris which was an unforgettable experience. It gave me a since of independence and opened my eyes to other cultures.
When and where were you happiest? The beach with my family.
Which talent or superpower would you most like to have and why? I would love to be able to sing well! I enjoy singing but it is best done alone…
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wish I enjoyed exercising! Because of this, I am always seeking fun and different ways to get moving.
What’s your most treasured possession? My mother’s sapphire ring. Even though she has passed away, it keeps her spirit close to me.
What do you most value in your friends? The quality of being there for me for both the good times and the bad times.
What do you miss most about the ’90s? The music, of course! It just doesn’t get any better than Motley Crue, Britney Spears and Boyz II Men!
If you had to be a teacher of something, what would you teach? Customer service.
What is your theme song? “Applause” by Lady Gaga helps me get motivated!
Who would play you in a movie? Reese Witherspoon
If you could go back in time 20 years, what advice would you give yourself? It’s OK to laugh at yourself!
What useless piece of information will you never forget? Righty tighty, lefty loosey. Wait, I actually use that every day!
What makes you laugh every time you think about it? My silly children attempting the “modern dance” that they saw on television.
Who’s the most famous celebrity you’ve ever met? Steven Soderburgh
LOOKING AHEAD
What’s the next challenge you have planned? I would like to serve in a leadership role on a community board.
Three things on your bucket list: Travel tp New York City, Los Angeles, and Ireland to name a few; be a mentor to someone; learn how to salsa dance.
What would be your advice for future Forty Under 40 honorees? Continue using your talents to make an impact. We all have special skills, it is just a matter of realizing those talents and using them to the best of our ability.
Do you plan to be in the Capital Region five years from now? Absolutely. Baton Rouge is currently positioned for greatness and I want to be a part of it. My children have also begun establishing roots here and I hope to be able to contribute to a better Baton Rouge for them.
Why have you chosen to make your home in the Capital Region? As a Baton Rouge native, it has crossed my mind in the past to move elsewhere to get a different perspective. After looking at other desirable cities, I have decided to stay in Baton Rouge because for me, there is no other place with such a perfect balance of culture, education, and entertainment.
Have you peaked, or do you think you’ll still have it when we launch our hypothetical “Forty Over 40” awards years from now? There is still so much to do that I sincerely hope that there is still more that I could contribute. I hope that my peak is many years from now.
