Her Story
About Ingrid
Ingrid Ross brings more than three decades of experience in human resources leadership across multiple industries. She has maintained a small consulting business as an executive assistant, assisting small businesses with office and operational setup while emphasizing a people-centric approach from the outset. Currently based in St. Charles, Missouri, Ross serves on the board of advisors for the St. Charles County YMCA, working to maintain it as a safe and healthy community resource, and on the board of directors for a small early childhood learning center focused on educating children in the St. Louis area. She attributes her professional success to a commitment to personal accountability, inspired by the lyrics of Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror, which guide her to lead by example and view challenges as a shared journey. Ross also draws strength from the example of mentor Julie Malum, an Air Force airplane mechanic from the 1970s who demonstrated that women can pursue any career while remaining true to themselves. Her advice to young women entering the field emphasizes reading the room to determine when to lead assertively or observe strategically, particularly as a woman of color navigating diverse professional environments. In addition to her career, Ross has practiced yoga for over 30 years, which supports her focus and resilience.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ingrid
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my favorite song in the world is Michael Jackson Man in the Mirror and I take it so to heart because I feel like if I don't do my part how can I expect someone else to do their part. It's really that conversation with yourself wanting to truly be the best version of myself that I can be that I'm guided to help people even when I don't know what I'm doing. That song really just grounds me personally and professionally to look at the person in the mirror. Am I being what I expect someone else to be? And if I'm not I gotta start there. People get further when they see that you genuinely are coming from a place that this is a journey we're walking together.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I have a leader Her name is Julie Malum and she was so cool and she was Shira like through and through. She was an airplane mechanic in the Air Force back in the 70s. She helps me to really see that no matter when no matter where women could do whatever we want to do. She was soft and frilly and she didn't give up that to be strong. She just never really backed down.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I think it's important to read the room to really understand the makeup of the room the context by which you're together because there are some rooms I say take over dominate. There are some rooms then you know you need to observe so that you can take that information and be powerful elsewhere. Especially a woman of color I think just our presence sometimes be distracting and can change the dynamic of the room but not every room is ours to be the loudest wheel. Sometimes knowing what we learned from that room or taking that knowledge somewhere else is far more impactful than trying to change old establishment.
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