Woman of Impact: MSGL's Naomie Baptiste

Woman of Impact: MSGL's Naomie Baptiste

Naomie Baptiste, Erin Lovette-Colyer

Naomie Baptiste has a favorite quote, courtesy of Mae Jamison, a medical doctor and the first African American female astronaut to travel in space, that motivates her outlook on life.

"Never be limited by other people's limited imaginations. If you adopt their attitudes, then the possibilities won't exist because you'll have already shut it out ... You can hear other people's wisdom, but you've got to re-evaluate the world for yourself."

Based on what Baptiste, a USD graduate student in the Master of Science in Global Leadership (MSGL) program through the School of Business, has accomplished, one word sums up her approach — limitless.

Helping Others

Baptiste, who was selected as the USD Women's Center's Woman of Impact Graduate Student Award winner this past December, has made it her life's ambition to help others find their pathway after she, too, was lifted up by educational opportunities, mentoring from senior leadership across industries and cultural outreach initiatives.

"Not giving back is not an option for me ... I aspire to continuously mentor women so they know they have a support system to brainstorm solutions, improve their personal brand, and to provide inspirational guidance," said Baptiste, who was born in Haiti and moved to the United States for education opportunities and to make an impact on environmental concerns related to air, land, water and overall sustainable development.

A great example of Baptiste's commitment is her nonprofit work with the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE). She is the national director of environmental engineering special interest group for the NSBE. Its mission and goal is to increase the number of culturally responsible Black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. This mission means everything to her.

"My greatest reward for being involved with NSBE is supporting the campaign to graduate 10,000 Black engineers by 2025," she said. Baptiste, who earned a bachelor’s degree in civil-environmental engineering from Florida State University, has volunteered as an undergraduate advisor for USD's NSBE chapter.

“Through her work and activities, Naomie cultivates inclusive relationships that enable our entire campus to become more understanding,” said Stephanie Kiesel, director of graduate programs in the USD School of Business.

Motivation to Make an Impact

Receiving a nomination as a Woman of Impact was humbling, she said. Winning it was "a call to responsibility to continuously live the mission of the Woman of Impact Award." The Women's Center's description of a Woman of Impact matches Baptiste's passion. A Woman of Impact "lives the principles of social justice. Through her work, activities, and relationships, she supports others in finding voice, developing skills for transformation and understanding who they are called to be. Her community is not merely a place in which she exists; it is a place she actively improves."

Baptiste said her ideal woman of impact "is the woman who has overcome an obstacle in life which then, in turn, has improved her entire perspective." She cites impactful women as those who graduate from a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) field, a teacher who advocates and passionately teaches their students and, not surprisingly, the one who is nearest and dearest to her heart.

"Women who bring their children from Third World countries to ensure that their children have opportunities in education and quality of life, which describes my mother's journey from Haiti to the United States."

Pride for her family is a definite motivator. "The most influential motivation is my family. To be an immigrant to the United States carries a large responsibility to not only represent your immediate family, but also your entire country. Those of Haitian background are known for their strong work ethic, hospitality with a large smile and humility."

Knowledge Through MSGL

She's appreciated the journey she's been on with MSGL, too. Having learned about the program through an engineering colleague, it has fit well with her life’s outlook and has given her the ability to travel to Mexico, China, South Korea and Argentina.

"The MSGL program has added much value to my personal and professional life. I learned about how much culture impacts ability to lead," she said. "I also learned about blind sights and opportunities to improve those blind sights in business success strategies. This program has expanded my international perspective both in working with diverse personnel and developing strategies to meet business needs."

Baptiste's anticipated graduation later this year will be another accomplishment and that knowledge will certainly be applied to what's next.

"I want to continue to operate at my personal best and be a goal-oriented individual. I have vision boards in which I visualize personal and professional goals. One of those goals is to open a young women achievement center to empower women to dream, lead and succeed."

— Ryan T. Blystone

Amy Schmitz contributed to this story