Gwendolyn Harris-Cockrell

First and foremost, God has been in every situation and every season of my life. He prepared a table before me, and all I had to do was have the faith, courage, and discipline to sit down and receive what was meant for me. Even during moments of uncertainty, I have always believed that my path was ordered and that every opportunity carried purpose.

Second, I am deeply grateful for the amazing professional women I have had the honor of crossing paths with throughout my journey. These women saw my potential, challenged me to think bigger, advocated for me in rooms I had not yet entered, and reminded me of my value even when I questioned it myself. Their mentorship, leadership, and example showed me what was possible and inspired me to continue pushing forward.

My family has also been a constant source of encouragement, strength, and grounding. Through every transition, challenge, and accomplishment, they reminded me to keep going, stay humble, and believe in myself. Their support gave me the confidence to pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach.

Lastly, the city of Saint Louis. The city that helped shape me, sharpen me, and raise me. St. Louis taught me resilience, community, culture, and the importance of perseverance. It is a city filled with talent, history, and people who know how to create something meaningful despite challenges.

There are two pieces of advice I have carried with me throughout my career that continue to shape how I lead, work, and navigate relationships.

The first is never to take things personally. In both my professional and personal life, this mindset has allowed me to stay focused on the work, approach challenges with clarity, and extend grace to others. Not every comment, disagreement, or decision is rooted in malice. Understanding that has helped me respond thoughtfully instead of reacting emotionally, and it has strengthened my ability to collaborate, lead, and grow through difficult moments.

The second piece of advice is to reimagine “code-switching” as a superpower rather than a negative. The ability to adapt, communicate across different spaces, and connect with people from varying backgrounds is a strength. It reflects emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, and resilience. Instead of viewing it as compromising authenticity, I’ve learned to see it as an asset that allows me to navigate diverse environments while still remaining true to who I am.

Both lessons have helped me move through my career with confidence, empathy, and perspective. They’ve reminded me that success is not only about technical skills or accomplishments, but also about how we carry ourselves, connect with others, and continue evolving along the way.

The advice that I would give to young women entering any industry is to allow yourself to be someone’s arrow to their bow. Success is rarely achieved alone, and there is power in learning from, supporting, and growing alongside others. Be open to mentorship, collaboration, and partnership, because the relationships you build will often become just as valuable as the skills you develop.

At the same time, never shrink yourself to fit into spaces that were not designed with you in mind. Your perspective, voice, and experiences bring value. Walk into every room knowing that you belong there, even if you are the only one who looks like you or thinks differently.

I would also encourage young women to remain curious and willing to evolve. Do not be afraid to ask questions, take risks, or pursue opportunities that feel bigger than your comfort zone. Growth often comes from the moments that challenge us the most.

Most importantly, define success for yourself. Do not allow society, titles, or other people’s expectations to determine your worth. Build a career and a life that aligns with your values, your passions, and the impact you want to leave behind.

One of the biggest opportunities in the HR field right now is finding meaningful ways to bridge the gap between policy, procedure, legal compliance, and humanity. As HR professionals, we have a responsibility to uphold laws, maintain confidentiality, and ensure that policies are applied fairly and consistently. However, we also have a responsibility to recognize that employees are navigating personal, professional, and societal challenges that can impact their well-being and performance.

Today's workforce is looking for more than compliance-driven HR practices. Employees want to feel seen, heard, respected, and supported. The challenge and opportunity are to create workplace cultures where accountability and compassion can coexist. We must ask ourselves how we can support employees through difficult circumstances while still maintaining organizational standards and ensuring equitable treatment for everyone.

I believe the future of HR leadership lies in leading with empathy without compromising integrity. It is about extending grace when appropriate, creating spaces where employees feel valued, and helping individuals perform at their best even during challenging times. When people feel supported, they are more engaged, productive, and committed to the organization.

This is the work I am passionate about and the legacy I hope to leave in the profession. I want to help shape and guide the next generation of HR professionals to view their role not only as stewards of policy and compliance, but also as advocates for people, culture, and organizational success.