Her Story
About Shonda
Shonda Harrington is an accounting and office administration professional with roughly eight years of experience in the field, including two years in a leadership role. She currently serves as Office Manager at Integrity Printing, a manufacturing company, where she handles payroll, invoicing, HR responsibilities, benefits, and customer and vendor relations after previously serving as an accounting clerk there for three years. Prior to that, she worked at a CPA firm. She earned an associate's degree in accounting from Montcalm Community College in 2020 and an MA certificate from Montcalm Community College in 2017. While pursuing her education, she served as an accounting tutor at the college. She completed Dale Carnegie leadership training in October and received the highest achievement award. Shonda is a member of the HR SIG and Emerging Leaders SIG the Mid Michigan Manufacturers Association. She attributes her success to her self motivation, determination and drive. Although having pursued her education later in life while raising three children with no family support was challenging- Shonda never gave up.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shonda
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my self-motivation, determination, and drive. I’ve never been someone who needs to be pushed to get things done- I push myself. When I set my mind to something, I find a way to make it happen, even when there are obstacles along the way. I’m constantly looking for ways to learn, grow, and challenge myself. I think my willingness to keep moving forward, rather than letting setbacks define me, is one of the biggest reasons I’ve been successful.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
An instructor once told me, “Shonda, you are fierce and a force to be reckoned with. Once you realize your potential, you will be unstoppable.”
Not exactly "advice"- but it has stuck with me and has played a big role in the way I see things now.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Being a woman in a leadership role has been challenging for years. I just would like to tell them that they don't have to lead exactly like somebody else. They can be empathetic and still be decisive. They can care about people and still hold people accountable. And they can be approachable without minimizing their authority.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
As I’ve grown, I’ve started to recognize my own abilities, my leadership skills, and the value I bring to an organization. I’ve also realized that knowing my own authority has made me more aware of when my current environment is no longer allowing me to grow. Integrity Printing has given me valuable experience and helped me develop skills that I will carry with me, but I now see it as a stepping stone rather than the final destination.
My goal is to take what I’ve learned, trust my abilities, and ultimately build something of my own. I think the biggest challenge wasn’t becoming capable- it was realizing that I already was
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity- BE YOURSELF!
Accountablility
Loyalty
Compassion
Honesty
Ambition
Balance
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