NWA Women in Business: Lisa Fury-Smith

Residence: Tontitown

Education: B.S., family and human services, MBA, leadership and ethics, John Brown University

Professional background: Fury-Smith spent the majority of her career in business operations for community health care and research operations. In that work, she said she has been fortunate to help build the infrastructure, support and systems for team success. She has worked to build systems from the ground up, and said she is not afraid to be told that something is not working.

What was your dream job as a kid, and why? As a kid, I honestly did not have a broad perspective of what was possible, but I have always had strong feelings about being in a role of a protector or with a focus on making sure those around me were taken care of.

Who was a big mentor to you in the early part of your career? Susan Barrett. We grew up in the same very small town in Colorado. When I moved to Arkansas, she was the CEO of Mercy NWA and came alongside me to teach me about leadership. I am forever grateful for her guidance and mentorship.

What is the best leadership advice you have ever received? Be someone who consistently tackles the hard things. Never ignore a situation that needs attention, no matter how hard it is to address. Even something small will fester and create ripple effects throughout the organization. It often does not make you the most-liked leader, but if it is the right thing to do, do it anyway.

You stay busy professionally. How do you take care of yourself and maintain good mental health? When I am not at work, I am really not at work. I can disconnect very well when I’m able to, and that allows me to focus on myself and my family. Whenever possible, I do not have my phone or electronics out when I am with my kids in the evening or weekends. I am thankful to have a supportive husband who equally shares life responsibilities. We both have very supportive work environments where we can balance having a family and having busy careers. Working for businesses that understand and support working mothers and fathers is a significant contributing factor to being successful at home and at work.

What are some of the leadership skills that helped you move up in your organization? I am not afraid to be honest and use my voice when I see opportunities for improvement or growth, and even more important, I try to always offer a solution for how to make it better. I also give a lot of space and thought to big decisions to make sure I am using good judgment in tough situations.

What advice can you offer to women who want a career in your industry? Do not make yourself smaller. Practice establishing your presence. Practice speaking up when you disagree. Establish and grow your network — you will need connections wherever you go and whatever you do in your career.

What’s the next big personal or career challenge you plan to take on? I would love to spend more time in career coaching for young professionals starting their careers, or high school and college students who need/want more guidance on how to succeed in the workplace.