Shavon Simpson

I attribute my success to a commitment to continuous learning. To me, success means never stopping the pursuit of knowledge and growth, because each day offers an opportunity to become better than I was yesterday, even in small ways. I believe that as long as I am learning and improving, I am living a successful and meaningful life.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is that failure is not truly failure—it is a necessary part of growth. Every setback is an opportunity to learn, and as long as I take something away from the experience, I haven’t failed. While the outcome may not always go as planned, those moments of difficulty are often what guide me to the next level. This perspective has helped me become more resilient and willing to take chances, especially as I tend to be very hard on myself.

My advice to young women entering my industry is to not be afraid of failure and to remember that just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it cannot be done. If you believe in your vision and are willing to work for it, it is achievable. I encourage you to pursue your goals without limiting yourself—stay persistent, take risks, and move forward with confidence, as long as your actions are grounded in integrity and do no harm.

I think one of the biggest challenges in my field is that people often want to place you in a single box. Many roles are expected to be narrowly defined, but I see myself as multidimensional—my life itself is my experience and my resume. I have done many different things, from ballet to physical labor to executive administrative work, and I don’t fit into just one category. The challenge is finding a space that allows me to fully be myself while still being focused. At the same time, I see great opportunity in that mindset—if I can envision something, I believe I can create it, especially when it comes to working with and understanding all kinds of people.

In both my personal and professional life, compassion is the value that matters most to me. I believe it is important to recognize that everyone is going through something, and that struggle is part of being human. When we take the time to understand others from their perspective, we not only help them feel seen and supported, but we also continue to learn and grow ourselves. I learned this deeply during my time as a police officer, where I saw firsthand that most people are not in crisis because of anger directed at others, but because they are dealing with their own challenges and simply need to be heard.