Her Story
About Brittney
Brittney Owens-Smith, MBA, SHRM-CP, is an accomplished Human Resources and operations leader with 18 years of professional experience spanning financial services, technology, retail, and wholesale. She currently serves as Senior Manager, Talent Lifecycle Solutions at Visa, where she leads initiatives supporting critical stages of the employee lifecycle, including internal mobility, offboarding, transfers, and global benefits operations. Her career began with a passion for Human Resources after earning her B.B.A. from Texas State University in 2008, followed by progressive management roles that strengthened her expertise in leadership, operations, and people development.
Throughout her career, Brittney has combined strategic HR leadership with a strong operational mindset to improve processes, strengthen employee experiences, and build high-performing teams. At Visa, she has contributed to the development and scaling of HR shared services while driving process optimization, automation, and global operational initiatives. Her ability to navigate organizational change, build trusted relationships, and translate business needs into effective people solutions has established her as a strategic and people-focused leader.
Brittney holds an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Human Resources from Texas Woman's University and a B.B.A. in Business Administration and Management from Texas State University, along with her SHRM-CP certification. She is passionate about mentoring and paying forward the support she has received throughout her career by helping others recognize their potential, develop their skills, and advance professionally. Brittney credits her success to resilience, adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace challenges and change. Her leadership philosophy centers on creating opportunities for others, continuously improving the employee experience, and turning setbacks into opportunities for growth.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Brittney
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to resilience, curiosity, and the willingness to embrace change and step outside of my comfort zone. Throughout nearly 18 years in Human Resources, I have had the opportunity to work across retail, technology, real estate, and financial services, continually learning and adapting to new industries and challenges. I am especially grateful for the mentors and leaders who invested in my growth, and I believe in paying that support forward by developing and empowering others on my team. I have learned that meaningful growth often comes from being uncomfortable, remaining open to new opportunities, and recognizing that a strategic step back can lead to an even stronger comeback. Above all, I strive to approach every transition with resilience, an open mind, and a commitment to finding the opportunity in every challenge.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to never put yourself in a box or place unnecessary limits on what you can achieve. Be confident in asking for what you want, because the worst answer you can receive is “no.” Embrace being uncomfortable, as some of the greatest opportunities for growth come from challenging yourself and stepping beyond your comfort zone. Remember that a setback can become a comeback, and a closed door is not a reflection of your abilities or potential; it may simply mean that the timing or opportunity was not right. Stay open to learning, adapting, and pivoting when necessary, and always look for the positive and the opportunity for growth in every situation.
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