Kim M. Hugle
Kim Hugle is an accomplished administrative professional with over 22 years of experience supporting organizations across diverse sectors. Based in New Orleans, Louisiana, she currently serves as the Administrative Manager for A.R.J. LA, Inc and Jasper Psychological Services, PLLC, two outpatient mental health agencies, overseeing day-to-day operations, billing, client communications, community outreach, and staff support. Kim has a proven track record of streamlining processes, building authentic relationships with leadership and colleagues, and ensuring the smooth functioning of complex office environments. Her career journey has included roles ranging from Secretary and Office Manager to Operations Coordinator and Administrative Manager, reflecting her adaptability and dedication to excellence. In addition to her administrative expertise, Kim is pursuing her passion for coaching. She is currently working toward her ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential and has launched J&J Life Leadership Coaching, where she focuses on life leadership and guiding high school juniors and seniors through the transition to college. Her coaching philosophy centers on integrity, accountability, and clear communication, helping clients navigate uncertainty and reach their personal and professional goals. Through this work, Kim combines her organizational insight with a deep commitment to fostering growth and development in others. Kim holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. Her educational background, combined with extensive professional experience, equips her to enhance workplace culture, employee experience, and retention, while supporting small and mid-sized businesses in achieving operational excellence. Passionate, empathetic, and results-oriented, Kim continues to make meaningful contributions both in administrative leadership and emerging coaching initiatives.
• Southern New Hampshire University (Online) - MS
What do you attribute your success to?
One of the first things I would attribute my success to are just good people who've given me a chance. Adelaide Farve-Booker gave me my first real job as an office assistant. Lonnie Hewitt, Jr. and James R. Washington, Jr., who owned Hewitt-Washington and Associates hired me as a temporary receptionist and worked with me until I became a good administrative assistant. When I started here at this mental health agency, I actually left and came back about 2 years ago now. Dr. Kendell Jasper, who's our clinical director, he gave me a shot when I didn't have any mental health experience. All I had was a degree in psychology, some administrative experience, and a desire to, at the time, become a licensed professional counselor. Obviously, that didn't work out. But people have encouraged me, people who've taught me and trained me. And I'm a fast learner, I get it, I'm dedicated, and I'm loyal to a point. I would attribute my success in administrative support to that. And I believe those same skills will help me in coaching as well.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was at a National Organization of Minority Architects Conference many years ago. I was the secretary for the firm at that time, the administrative assistant. And one of the architects there asked me, what do you do for the firm? And I said, I'm just the secretary. And she immediately corrected me, and she said, there's no such thing as just. You help that firm just as much as the partners do, just as much as the other architects do. So there's no such thing as just. Don't ever define yourself as just anything. And that was the best career advice I've ever gotten.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never accept being quietly or silently told to stay in your lane. One of the clients that I want to reach are administrative support professionals, or just any professionals who are quietly or silently told to stay in their lane. I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about the culture of an office just by observing how they treat administrative staff. I once had a manager who never disrespected me outright, but the silent behavior this person exhibited was obvious. The silent behavior told me I was not worthy to be in the same room as the professionals. So I would advise not to put yourself in just one lane, not to accept being kept or told, whether it's silently or quietly, to stay in your lane.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Right now, it's just finding the clients. And putting myself out there - I tend to be more introverted, so I'm really stepping out of my comfort zone right now, trying to set up this new business and be the face of my business. But I really feel like it's important for my son to see that, to see his mother practicing what she preaches, basically.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I'm a single mom with a 14-year-old son, so values are important right now - I'm molding him. Integrity is definitely important. Accountability is crucial. And honest communication - I know that's not a typical core value, but in my line of work, it helps.