Her Story
About Darielle
I graduated from Baton Rouge Community College in 2006 with my Associate of Applied Science in Business Technology. I started out doing some banking work, but my main focus became disaster recovery. I began working in disaster recovery in 2008 with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness here in Louisiana, starting with Hurricane Katrina and working all the way through Hurricane Ida in 2021. From there, I moved on to FEMA, where I continued working in disaster recovery and moved around a lot in that field. After spending two years at home caring for my daughter who was in the NICU at New Orleans Children's Hospital and my second child, I started getting into AI and tech. During that time, I got certified in artificial intelligence, became certified with QuickBooks for bookkeeping, and researched different certifications around AI, tech, and coding. I also earned certifications in prompt engineering, data analytics, and Power BI, along with various FEMA certifications from my disaster recovery work. This led to my current position as an office manager. I'm also an abstract artist - I've always loved art, and it allows me to balance things out and serves as a stress reliever. It really helps with mental health. I'm open to selling my art, though it started as something personal for me.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Darielle
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my children - they know that mom is not going to give up. I pray to be an inspiration to them to not give up on themselves. Watching my mom and my grandmother growing up, knowing that I'm following their footsteps but also paving my own lane in the field, they influenced a lot. My grandmother is now deceased, but their example continues to drive me. It's about showing my children that you don't give up, no matter what challenges you face.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to never stop learning. Ask questions - if you don't know something, find the answer. If there's an opportunity to learn, do it. And be willing to pivot. That advice has really shaped how I approach my career and has helped me continue growing and adapting throughout my professional journey.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't give up on yourself, and never stop learning. Keep God first. Those are the most important things I can tell young women entering this field. No matter what challenges you face, you have to keep pushing forward and stay committed to growing and learning.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is keeping up with artificial intelligence - it changes so quickly, it's crazy! Just getting in there and learning, and wanting to learn, and keeping yourself motivated to do it can be a challenge because it changes so quick. You look up and think, 'Oh, that's another way to do it? Okay, then...' You've got to keep learning. It never ends, but that's also what makes it exciting and full of opportunities.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are keeping a certain level of professionalism as a young Black woman, honesty, integrity, and just being grounded. You treat people the way you want to be treated - it doesn't matter if it's a janitor or the CEO. You should treat people the way you want to be treated. You'll go a long way, and it is so true. You never know who you're talking to, and that small interaction could mean everything.
Keep Exploring
More Influential Women · Louisiana
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.