Kyeonna Singletary

I attribute much of my success to the inspiration and example set by my mother, who has always encouraged me to work hard, remain resilient, and continue striving for growth. Her influence has shaped the determination and work ethic I carry throughout my career.

I am also incredibly grateful for the hiring managers and leaders who saw my potential and gave me opportunities to prove myself. At different stages of my career, someone was willing to take a chance on me, open a door, and give me the opportunity to shine. I have made it a priority to honor those opportunities by working hard, continuously learning, and demonstrating what I can bring to the table.

My success has been built not only on my own determination, but also on the people who believed in me along the way. Their support has inspired me to do the same for others by recognizing potential, creating opportunities, and helping the next generation of professionals find their chance to shine.

One of the best pieces of career advice I’ve ever received came from a mentor who shared a quote from Malala Yousafzai: “Do not wait for someone else to come and speak for you. It’s you who can change the world.”

That advice stayed with me, and I ran with it. It taught me not to be afraid to put myself out there, advocate for myself, share my experiences, and use my voice to make an impact on the people around me.

Throughout my career, I’ve learned that no one can tell your story better than you can. You have to be willing to speak up about your journey, your accomplishments, and the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Your story has value, and sharing it may be exactly what inspires someone else to take the next step in their own journey.

Remain resilient and truly believe in yourself. There will be times when others may not see the vision you see for yourself, and that’s okay. Stay focused, keep moving forward, and trust that with perseverance, you can make it to that mountaintop.

I would also encourage young women to build meaningful connections and never be afraid to ask for help or guidance. You don’t have to navigate every challenge alone. Mentors, colleagues, and professional communities can provide perspective, encouragement, and opportunities that can make a tremendous difference in your journey.

Most importantly, believe that you belong in the room. Be willing to learn, be willing to grow, and have the courage to keep going even when the path isn’t clear. Resilience may get you through the obstacles, but community helps you navigate them.

One of the biggest opportunities in Human Resources right now is learning how to effectively navigate the intersection of AI and HR. AI is changing how we approach recruiting, employee engagement, data analysis, communication, and many other areas of the profession. For HR professionals, the opportunity is not simply to use AI, but to understand how to use it responsibly and strategically.

I believe this is also an opportunity for HR professionals to showcase their skills in new and creative ways. We have to demonstrate that we can be innovative while still being thoughtful and cautious about how technology is applied to people-related decisions. Efficiency is important, but so are ethics, accuracy, confidentiality, and maintaining the human element of Human Resources.

The future of HR will require professionals who are willing to embrace new technology without losing sight of what makes our profession so important—our people. The challenge and opportunity are finding the right balance between innovation and human connection.

Kindness and grace are two of the values that are most important to me, both professionally and personally. Working in Human Resources, it can be easy over time to become calloused by difficult situations, challenging conversations, and the realities of corporate America. I never want those experiences to cause me to lose my compassion for people.

I especially try to remember what it felt like to be a professional just starting out—learning how to navigate the workplace, making mistakes, asking questions, and trying to find my place. Emerging professionals are our future, and they still need guidance in the present. Providing that guidance requires patience, compassion, and a willingness to extend grace while holding people accountable and helping them grow.

At the end of the day, you never know what someone may be navigating behind the scenes. I believe you can be a strong leader, uphold expectations, and make difficult decisions while still leading with kindness. How we treat people matters, and I want that to remain at the center of who I am, no matter how far I progress in my career.