Lauren Fitch, 33
Chief operating officer, Faulk & Winkler
Named chief operating officer of a multimillion-dollar company before the age of 30, Lauren Fitch balances a busy family life and volunteer schedule with her professional responsibilities. She has been board secretary for the Rayner Learning Center since 2011, is a board member of the Webb Park Civic Association and formerly served as board secretary for Of Moving Colors. She has also been involved with the Bella Bowman Foundation, Junior League, the American Diabetes Association and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School. She’s a member of the Louisiana State Bar Association, Baton Rouge Bar Association and National Association of Professional Women. Along with spending her free time with her husband and two boys, Fitch enjoys playing tennis and reading.
NAME THREE MAJOR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
- Graduating magna cum laude and passing the Louisiana State Bar examination.
- Named COO of a multi-million dollar company before the age of 30.
- Quoted in the Journal of Accountancy, a national publication for accountants.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY AFFILIATIONS AND INVOLVEMENT.
Rayner Learning Center board secretary (2011 to present); Webb Park Civic Association board member (2015 to present); Of Moving Colors board secretary (2011 to 2014); Bella Bowman Foundation formation committee (2012); Junior League member (2009 to 2015); Father of the Year Award committee for American Diabetes Association (2011); Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School, grade level annual appeal captain and cafeteria and chaperone volunteer (present); Louisiana and Baton Rouge Bar Association member (2009 to present).
NAME ONE BOOK THAT HAS INSPIRED YOU PROFESSIONALLY.
Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi.
WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
Attorney or cartoon voice.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB, HOW OLD WERE YOU AND WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM IT?
I started a babysitting agency at age 11. I had two other babysitters that worked with me. We distributed flyers around the neighborhood and actually had several families take us up on the offer. I learned early on about entrepreneurship. At a young age, I learned the importance of earning money on my own and saving it for things I really wanted.
WHAT IS THE STRANGEST JOB YOU’VE EVER HAD?
Running the chocolate fountain machines at weddings and parties … when those were popular!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BUSINESS LUNCH IN BATON ROUGE, AND WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE DISH THERE?
Stroubes, and I get the Stroubes salad with grilled chicken.
WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Mother of my two young boys—they push me to my best possible self. You don’t understand the mindset of parenting until you become one.
HOW DO YOU GET PUMPED UP BEFORE A BIG MEETING, PRESENTATION OR PITCH?
Coffee and a good night’s rest. Also, I am extrovert, I get my energy from other people!
WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST FULFILLING MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
It was very fulfilling to take a risk and go an unconventional route with my law degree. Starting in a new position answering to five partners with completely different backgrounds and skillsets than myself (CPAS). I have learned so much about business and finances in my four years at Faulk & Winkler.
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL “AHA MOMENT?”
When I realized that I should put my law degree to use in a different way; use my analytical skills and strategic thinking acquired through my studies and apply them to managing a sizeable firm.
WHAT IS YOUR BEST PRODUCTIVITY HACK?
Working past 3 p.m. on Fridays.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED THE HARD WAY?
Sometimes you don’t get picked. I did not get into law school the first time and it would have been easier just to walk away, but I stuck it out and got waitlisted the next year and got the call three weeks before school started that I was in! Needless to say, it motivated me and I graduated magna cum laude from law school.
WHAT ABOUT YOUR JOB WOULD SHOCK CUSTOMERS OR CLIENTS IF THEY KNEW ABOUT IT?
Sometimes I answer the phones at our office and take out the trash, I’m never above any task that benefits the operation of the firm and I don’t expect any employee to do something I wouldn’t do.
HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY DRESS FOR WORK—CASUAL? PROFESSIONAL? BUSINESS CASUAL? OTHER?
I dress business casual. Usually a dress or skirt.
WHAT PART OF YOUR JOB DO YOU LOVE? WHAT PART DO YOU HATE?
I love the people. I love coming to work each day and connecting with people of all ages and different backgrounds. There are very few non-accountants and I’m the only attorney on staff. Hate is a strong word, but sometimes I wish I could be part-time so I could spend more time with the kids.
WHAT IS THE BEST COMPLIMENT YOU’VE EVER GOTTEN FROM A COLLEAGUE OR BOSS?
The greatest compliments come when people enjoy working with you. They become like family.
MAC OR PC?
PC.
ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? IF SO, ON WHICH PLATFORMS ARE YOU MOST ACTIVE?
Facebook the most, then LinkedIn and Instagram.
HOW MANY TEXTS DO YOU SEND ON AN AVERAGE DAY? HOW MANY EMAILS?
15 texts and 50 emails a day.
HOW LOW WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR REMAINING PHONE OR COMPUTER BATTERY LIFE GET IN % BEFORE YOU HAVE AN ANXIETY ATTACK?
2%—I am actually bad about charging it.
HOW MANY UNREAD MESSAGES ARE IN YOUR INBOX RIGHT NOW?
60.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE APP AT THE MOMENT?
Waitr—As the mom of two boys, I am “kitchen challenged” and Waitr saves my life! Uber is also a close second!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT OF THE PAST DECADE?
Amazon Prime—free shipping for diapers and other household items.
WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO YOU WISH WAS NEVER INVENTED?
I hate to say it, but I’m not big on cell phones. I feel like they are really useful but they get in the way … constantly distract people, keep people from engaging with others, and make you feel like you can never be off and disconnected!
WHAT TIME DO YOU GET UP ON WORKDAY MORNINGS?
5:30 a.m.
BREAKFAST AT HOME? BREAKFAST ON THE GO? BREAKFAST AT YOUR DESK? NO BREAKFAST AT ALL?
EAS protein shake on the go with some Better Oats oatmeal mid-morning!
THE SAYING GOES: “BE THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN THE WORLD.” SPECIFICALLY, WHAT ARE YOU “BEING” TO MAKE BATON ROUGE BETTER?
I get in involved in every organization I can, and my husband and I donate to numerous nonprofits. I try to keep a positive attitude and look out for others who are too scared to speak up or scared to ask for help.
WHEN DID YOU REALIZE YOU WERE “GROWN UP”?
When I decided going to bed at 10:30 p.m. was considered late.
WHAT WAS THE BEST VACATION YOU HAVE EVER TAKEN?
My honeymoon in Italy. We started in Rome, then travelled to Chianti Country and Florence, then ended the trip in Venice.
FAVORITE GIFT YOU WERE GIVEN AS A CHILD?
A banana seat pink bicycle.
WHICH TALENT OR SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE AND WHY?
I’d like to fly, I absolutely hate driving and hate traffic congestion!
WHAT’S A NICKNAME YOUR FRIENDS OR FAMILY MEMBERS HAVE FOR YOU?
Lala! My friend in kindergarten was the first to use that name. Now it’s how I am known by my nieces and nephews.
WHAT ARE YOU SUPERSTITIOUS ABOUT?
Saying break a leg … seems like a terrible wish for someone.
WHO FASCINATES YOU?
J.K. Rowling, who said in 1965: “It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you fail by default.” Breaking through the trap of poverty until she finished writing her first book for the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling has now sold 400 million copies worldwide. She went on from living on state benefits in the U.K. to becoming a multi-millionaire after her book’s success in a matter of five years.
WHICH FICTIONAL CHARACTER DO YOU MOST IDENTIFY WITH?
Catelyn Stark from Game of Thrones, the no-nonsense mother and strategist. She would do anything to protect her children and she holds herself to a high moral standard.
FAVORITE DRINK?
Prosecco.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BAND OR SONG?
Young the Giant.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
Pulp Fiction.
WHO WOULD PLAY YOU IN A MOVIE?
Helen Hunt. Everybody always said I looked like her, minus her nose.
WHAT SCARED YOU AS A CHILD, AND WHAT SCARES YOU NOW?
Child: I was terrified by bees as a child for some reason … never was bit though. Now: Fear of missing out or FOMO as the kids call it these days.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF?
Be happy and savor the present, there is plenty time to grow up! I was always looking ahead to the next milestone.
PETS?
Not at the moment. We had a Scottie named Blue who died a few years back.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE CELEBRITY ENCOUNTERS? WHAT HAPPENED?
I saw Matt Damon outside of a theatre in London, he was so nice, we took a selfie before selfies had a name! It was when I was 18 years old! I saw Jude Law embrace his son at the Capitol while he was filming a movie.
TELL US ABOUT A MOMENT THAT CHANGED YOUR LIFE.
Meeting my husband and the birth of my first child. Both had life-changing impact on me.
WHAT’S THE NEXT BIG PERSONAL OR CAREER CHALLENGE YOU PLAN TO TAKE ON?
Personal: We have been planning to have a third child and be outnumbered! Professional: I would like to make partner at the firm one day.
WHAT CONCERNS YOU MOST ABOUT THE FUTURE?
The state of the national economy and increasing debt and what that means for my children. I want them to continue to thrive and have opportunities. Also, I do have concerns that cell phones/texting will take away from Gen Z’s communication skills. I have to be cautious on how much time my children spend with devices, luckily right now my kids prefer playing outside.
WHAT GIVES YOU THE MOST HOPE ABOUT THE FUTURE?
People give me hope. The reaction of our neighbors helping one another after the flood, gives me hope that there are still enough good people to get us through the hard times.
WHAT WOULD BE YOUR ADVICE FOR FUTURE FORTY UNDER 40 HONOREES?
Everybody has to do their part; the future will not be bright if we stop giving back to others. If God gave you a talent, then share it with others and don’t expect anything back.
DO YOU PLAN TO BE IN THE CAPITAL REGION FIVE YEARS FROM NOW? WHY OR WHY NOT?
I will be here, as we have our struggles, this is my home and I believe in my heart that the best is yet to come. Sure, I can move to a city where education is free and perhaps there are more incentives, but it still wouldn’t be home.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST HOPE FOR BATON ROUGE?
That we elect new leadership that can encourage talented young people to stay here after college and continue to provide businesses to stay here. That we truly follow the Master Plan for Baton Rouge and capitalize on the assets of the city.
DO YOU HAVE A BUCKET LIST? IF SO, WHAT ARE THE TOP 3 THINGS ON IT?
- Complete a triathlon or half marathon.
- Travel to Spain.
- Learn to speak Italian.
