Finalist Profile: Stephanie Singh
Finalist: Stephanie Singh
Award: Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advocate
Day Job: Director of Communications and Marketing, Town of Plainfield
Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-singh-mps-3b452566/
Stephanie’s nominator shared this about her work in Central Indiana: “In 2020, Stephanie took a leadership role not just in Plainfield but in Hendricks County to promote diversity, equity and inclusion. In a mostly white, male dominated field of town management, Stephanie is a young, woman of color who is not shy about standing up for what’s right and important. Not only does she, through her position, advocate for inclusivity in the town through their social media platforms, but she also encouraged the town’s employees to work through internal DEI training and programming. She stepped up to support the Hendricks County Alliance for Diversity and their programming in response to the murder of George Floyd. This included community leader meetings, a police accountability survey, Black resident meetings, and the Raising Black Voices video project, which lives on the Hendricks County Alliance for Diversity Facebook Page. In a community that is often viewed as ‘all-white’ Stephanie’s leadership has been instrumental in bridging the gap from ‘hot topic’ to ‘institutional/structural.’”
Q: How did you react when you found out you were nominated for an ELEVATE Award?
A: I was flattered and honored when I found out that someone wanted to nominate me for this award. I’m ecstatic that I’m a finalist and even if I don’t win, I’m thrilled to be in the top three in this category.
Q: What is your vision for Central Indiana?
A: My vision for Central Indiana, and quite frankly the world, is to be a place where people do not have to mask who they are to be accepted, and where skin color, religion, sexual orientation and gender are not barriers to success.
Q: Finish this sentence “Being a great advocate means to me….”
A: Being a great advocate means offering your time, talent and/or treasure for something bigger than yourself to make long-standing change.
Q: What have you learned about yourself during the pandemic and how has it affected your job, volunteering, etc.?
A: I’ve learned that life is short. My father-in-law fought for his life for five months on the ventilator with COVID-19. One day he was healthy and the next he was in an induced coma. We must take this life by the horns and do meaningful work while we’re here. God places us right where he needs and wants us at the right time, and I believe that is exactly why I am in the position I am in and I do not take it lightly. I also learned that there are so many people out in the world hurting and need support and an advocate to stand up for them. That is my goal.
Time for some favorites:
Q: Favorite spot in Central Indiana?
A: Splash Island in Plainfield
Q: Mountains or Beach?
A: I like a mixture of both.
Q: Favorite vacation songs?
A: This is another thing I learned about myself during the pandemic—that traveling is essential, and I cannot wait to be able to travel the world again! In the meantime, I’ll dream. Some of my favorite songs are “Dance Again” by J Lo, “Drogba” by Afro B, “Jackie Chan” by Tiesto & Dzeko and “Summertime” by Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.
Q: Where will you travel to once it is safe to do so?
A: Egypt
Q: My favorite travel partner?
A: My husband
Q: Favorite book?
A: “Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett
Q: Life Saying?
A: Don’t get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.
Join Stephanie at ELEVATE and don’t forget to RSVP, today!