“Courage, I think, is something that is cultivated,” said Shamina Singh, Chief Operating Officer, Global Community Relations at Citi.
After spending 15 years working in high profile public sector jobs – Senior Advisor to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives; President Clinton’s U.S. Department of Labor’s Congressional Liaison on health care issues, and Deputy Executive Director of America Votes to name just a few – Singh found the courage to take a dramatically different route.
She said, “I was ready for a change and wanted to explore new opportunities while leveraging the experience I had built in the public sector. …after learning about [Citi] and the potential to move the needle on global issues, I realized it was the right fit for me.” Singh was also recently named to the Young Global Leaders program of the World Economic Forum – another opportunity to expand her global outreach.
“We can’t afford not to be talking to each other across the world,” she said.
Shaped for Life in Public Service
Old Dominion University, working for Douglas Wilder, Virginia’s (and the United States’) first African American governor as an undergraduate. After her graduation, she saw Texas Governor Ann Richards speak on television. Singh recalls being instantly inspired by the woman. She packed up and drove across the country to work for her – first as a volunteer and then in a paid position. Singh went on to complete her graduate degree at the LBJ School for Public Affairs at the University of Texas in Austin.
Singh credits Richards for shaping her career. “She was my mentor and guiding light for the last fifteen years of her life,” she said. Richards provided her with advice, inspiration, and career opportunities. Singh also credits working with several “strong, powerful women” as an inspiration, including working for Donna Shalala at the Department of Health and Human Services in her late 20s and early 30s. “To be that young and working in a presidential administration, you couldn’t help but be awestruck,” she said. “I never took that for granted.”
But what Singh says she is most proud of are the people she’s been able to help along the way. “There are a number of young women and men I’ve been able to pay it forward to – not forgetting that someone helped me along the way.” She continued, “The legacy of those whom I’ve guided and advised, – that’s my proudest achievement,” she said.
“I’ve been passionate about my work. I just want to learn a lot. And now I’m in a position [at Citi] where I’m learning, and able to help people – seeing results tangibly and concretely.”
Continuing Global Work in the Private Sector
“The economy is such an important issue,” she said. “And working in a place like Citigroup, we recognize the responsibility we have as a bank to help people.” Singh says she is most excited about her work at Citi dealing with foreclosure prevention, economic access and empowerment, and helping women in the U.S. and around the world become better educated about their finances.
“Women really are the CFOs of their families.” She continued, “If you educate a woman, you educate an entire community. …It’s what will change the face of the world.”
Regarding challenges women face in the workplace, Singh said, “In my experience, it’s always tough. We’ve got a lot of runway left. Women have a long way to go, but I’m very hopeful.”
“Now that I’m 41, I think a lot about work/life balance. For me work/life balance means finding ways outside your job to feed yourself. It’s about self care, whether that means getting a massage or going to a movie or spending time with my nieces and nephews.”
She explained, “What Governor Richards would always tell me, is that your 20s and 30s are about learning and making a name for yourself… after that, it’s about making your name count for something good in the world.” She continued, “When she passed away a few years ago, it jolted me – to make sure I’m taking care of the planet and the people I love.”
Advice and Inspiration: Be Proactive and Open to Guidance
Singh recommends being proactive with your schedule. “Be strategic about scheduling – managing your time. Figure out what you can control and can’t control and schedule what you can control.”
Singh also points out the importance of making good friends, and being a good friend in return. For example, she explained, when looking for advice or seeking a mentor, “It’s really important that you be someone who can be guided. It’s important that you take the advice. If someone with a lot of experience is willing to share it, it’s in your best interest to take it.”
“Always grow,” she said. “I consider myself a student still and always will.”
Another piece of advice: “Be fearless in your approach to life.” She says she’s grown more fearless over the past few years. “It’s different than confidence. There’s a level of fearlessness when you hit 40. I’ve learned a lot – I can say something now and feel okay to say it.” She continued, “I’ve always listened more than I spoke. Now I want to channel my ideas in a way that is more productive.”
Drawing on Maya Angelou for inspiration, Singh explained, “She said if she could pray for one thing it would be courage, because if you have courage you can do anything.”