Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sybil Ingram.
Hi Dr. Sybil, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
How I started and how I got to where I am today, from deep in the windowless laboratories of hospitals to being an Executive Advisor to multiple companies and owning my own professional services practice, was definitely not what I envisioned or planned, but it’s been quite an interesting journey to say the least. Many twists and turns spanning 40 years. Clinical scientist, medical school instructor, clinical researcher, pharmaceutical sales representative, healthcare information systems specialist, project manager, family caregiver, emergency preparedness and readiness specialist, regulatory compliance consultant, director, domestic and international public speaker, doctor of health science, business owner, published author, patent holder, cybersecurity/data privacy/risk management/FDA quality management systems auditor, film production crew, competitive cheer coach and national judge, national alumni cheer president, AI LLM trainer and connoisseur….perhaps, maybe my alleged multiple personality disorder associated with the name “Sybil” has come in handy for me over the years ( smile!)
Just writing this makes me squint and shake my head. No one would ever believe this – and just looking at it myself, it’s difficult to really take in, but it’s all true. Geez!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
See entry prior to this one. Clearly, the answer is no. Very painful. At best, I would sum it up as situational and circumstantial. As different situations and circumstances presented themselves to me in life, I had to implement, not talk about, pivot skills. As the young ones say today: “Life Be Lifing!”
At best, I would have to say … many of my experiences and lessons learned as an African-American child, growing up on the Southside of Chicago during the 60’s and 70’s have saved and benefitted me more times than not. Many of my adult and professional struggles are implied in the previous sentence. I would assert that the majority of my professional struggles were externally imposed, based upon affirmative action to DEI perceptions of others. Finding myself and being in places where I was qualified and experienced, yet tolerated, not celebrated.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about S. Ingram and Associates, LLC. ?
Please see https://www.ingram-associates.com and https://f-cco.postcard.page for this information, including information on my LinkedIn site: https://www.linkedin.com/in/possybilities
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I didn’t grow up during a time when the word ‘mentor’ or ‘mentorship’ was as popularized as it is now. Did I have people in my life who were strong influencers or provided me guidance from time to time? Yes. I believe that the concept of having a ‘mentor’ or a few over the span of a professional career is helpful, as long as the relationship promotes strengthening of character, resilience, and promotes individual logical and critical skill development of the mentee.
Growing up, I attended many professional conferences and conventions with my parents. Looking back, though the word ‘networking’ wasn’t used during that time, that’s probably where I was ‘baptized’ into the world of networking without knowing it or being consciously aware of it. Professionally, I’ve attended many conferences as an attendee or an exhibitor; too many to count. I would say having an ambivert personality has worked well for me regarding networking opportunities afforded at these conferences/conventions. Also, learning to put on a Klingon shield (smile!) and showing up as your representative, especially when you don’t feel like it or don’t want to or have imposed some self-inflicted trepidation upon yourself – get up, get out, and do it anyway (networking).
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ingram-associates.com
- Instagram: drsybilfcco
- Facebook: sybil doc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/possybilities
- Other: https://f-cco.postcard.page
