2021 NEA Women in Business: Laura Pickens

Laura Pickens
Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations
St. Bernards
Residence: Jonesboro
Education: Bachelor of arts in design/journalism (1997), University of Mississippi

What has been the most fulfilling moment of your career so far? One of the most rewarding projects was working with the late Dr. Willie Young, as he built what we know today as the St. Bernards Medical Group Health & Fitness Expo. Realizing the impact this event has had on so many lives young and old over the last almost 15 years is incredibly fulfilling. This expo reaches hundreds of people with medical care they normally wouldn’t receive. The physicals for student athletes have been a game changer, saving countless lives with early detection of heart conditions.

What’s the next big personal or career challenge you plan to take on? From a career standpoint, navigating the new informational age we’re living in is a challenge. Dealing with the pandemic from a communication standpoint, you’ve seen divisions arise. I want to ensure the mission of St. Bernards is still heard and patients and our community view us as a trustworthy source. Our No. 1 goal is to provide “Christ Like Healing,” and we’ve done this for over 121 years. St. Bernards started as a result of a pandemic back in 1900, and we want to provide our region a road map to good health for centuries to come.

What advice would you give young women who are at the beginning of their careers? Stay the course. We all have to start somewhere and you learn from every position and level in your career. Treat every project like a college assignment where you need an A. Lastly, get involved in your community and meet as many people as you can. You never know who you are going to meet and how that relationship will come back around.

What character traits do you feel have benefited you in your success? My servant leadership style has served me very well. I enjoy working with strong personalities and incorporating a “group think” approach to projects and plans. Collaborating with a team is the best way to reach a strong strategic vision. I learned from Ben Owens years ago that you hire people smarter than you and then you get out of their way and let them create.

How do you spend your time away from work? What are your hobbies? Right now, my free time is consumed with family. I have a daughter who is a sophomore at Ole Miss. My husband of 22 years and I enjoy going to see her every chance we get. Our son is a senior at Jonesboro High School who plays football, basketball and runs track. He keeps us busy throughout the weekdays and weekends with various sporting activities.

What’s your biggest passion and why? My biggest passion in life is giving back. My parents instilled this value in me as a young child. My parents were always very involved in church and local civic clubs and always encouraged me to get involved with community service. I love giving back to my community. I have served on numerous boards, ranging from United Way to Downtown Jonesboro to the Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce and many more. Helping others and giving back to your community gives you a bigger purpose in life.

What is something distinctive that people would be surprised to know about you? I have competed in three half Ironman events. This includes a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, and 13.1 mile run. After my husband completed his first one, I thought I want to do this too. And what an experience it has been. I’ve met some of the most fascinating people here in Northeast Arkansas while training and during the races as well.

What’s the last good book you read? “Permission to Screw Up” by Kristen Hadeed. It is a quick read and has so many great takeaways in it for executives to apply immediately and have an impact. She’s funny, engaging and I liked her so much that I subscribed to her blog. She teaches you that the best way to succeed is to make mistakes and learn from them.

Of all the mentors in your professional career, who has been the most influential and why? Dr. Willie Young hands down. He hired me into the St. Bernards family in 2005, and I am forever grateful for the values he instilled. His philosophy of healthcare keeps me motivated, even to this day. He always said daily that it’s all about the patients, taking care of everyone who walks through our doors and returning them to good health. Ben Owens continues to have a positive impact on how I work. I can hear his teachings inside my head as I am challenged with a difficult decision. I am so fortunate to work under the leadership of Chris Barber. St. Bernards’ culture of caring starts from its top leadership. He has taught me so much, but probably the biggest lessons I’ve learned is to listen and to be attentive and present. I appreciate his ability to turn any situation into a teachable moment all while coaching and challenging me.

What was your dream job as a kid and why? My dream job as a young girl was to own my own advertising agency and live in a big city just like Angela Bower from “Who’s the Boss.” I have always had a love of art and painting as a young child. I enjoyed commercials, ads and billboard designs and could recite radio jingles from memory. I always imagined myself working in the advertising world.

Can you share what you have learned about your business from the COVID-19 pandemic? I have learned St. Bernards can react to change, can innovate quickly and has the most amazing workforce in our state. From switching out floors and making them COVID units, to creating an infusion clinic within days to observing our employees incredible compassion for patients in their darkest days. I have been able to witness what St. Bernards can do during these most historic times and it’s so inspiring.

Editor’s note: Profiles for this year’s NEA Women in Business class were compiled and written by George Jared and Paul Holmes.