Her Story
About Hattie
I'm at a point in my life where I believe I can accomplish anything. My daughters are grown, and I've decided to pursue multiple paths that all align with my ultimate goal of helping others. I currently work as a manager and coach at American Express, where I mentor and guide people. I'm pursuing my master's in clinical mental health at the Chicago School of Psychology, graduating in 2027, because deep down in my heart, I always wanted to break that stigma in the African American community about mental health and just getting help. We had this motto of what happens in our house stays in our house, and I want to change that. My end goal is to open my own practice in clinical mental health and also house veterans, which is why I'm getting my real estate license as well. I started Fresh Soul Fitness, a dance fitness business where women can come together and work on their health and talk about weight loss. I also created a podcast called The Girl Code, The Unapologetic Truth, to discuss why women can't seek each other for inspiration and motivation, and why we always have to be in competition with each other. Previously, I was a flight attendant and worked for Unico SA, where I brought them to number 3 in the world of customer service, and they sent me to Japan. I graduated with my Bachelor's in Business Management in June 2024. I'm trying a bunch of different things because I believe that you can accomplish anything in life as long as you put your mind to it and achieve for it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Hattie
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The biggest thing I would say is having that even work-life balance. Self-care and self-love is, I don't want to say it's the key to happiness, but ultimately, taking care of yourself first can help with your mental health. I'm a free-spirited person and I live by four rules of life. I always keep my faith. I always try to be better than yesterday. I live with no regrets, and I live every day like it's my last, because if I have to regret it, I shouldn't be doing it. So I always think about the things that I do before I do it, and that's kind of like my rules of life. I'm a free-spirited person with no judgment, because you just never know how one's past was, right?
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
One piece of advice that I will give as a mentor or as a professional is, I think it's so cliche and simple, but I would say never give up. Even when times is hard, sometimes we have to sit in the uncomfortable. Because right when you can be almost at the finish line, that's when some people give up, right? So never give up. The finish line is near and dear. Keep striving to be a better you.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I think one is self-satisfaction and the feel of being, not the field, but self-satisfaction and a purpose and fulfilling life that helps open and giving back. I believe it's part of the Circle of Life.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
My top three values are cultural competence, making sure everyone is being seen and being heard. Integrity, being honest and ethical around the workplace. And adaptability, being able to adjust and adapt wherever you go, having that adaptable mindset. I think that's why my knowledge and me studying it is continuously, because I want to be able to walk into any room and be able to be a part of any conversation.
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