Photo By Susan McGovern | Sabrina Simpson, director of IPPS-A's resource management division, stands outside the...... read more read more
ARLINGTON, Va. - For Sabrina Simpson, every day is an opportunity to combine her love of numbers with her passion for supporting Soldiers.
Simpson, director of the Integrated Personnel and Pay System — Army (IPPS-A) resource management division, earned two master’s degrees while working full-time and raising two children. Her “intrusive” leadership style is characterized by empathy, understanding and proactive involvement in her teammates’ lives.
“Sabrina brings an infectious positivity to work,” said Patrick McKinney, IPPS-A’s deputy project manager. “Sabrina’s leadership and genuine care for her people have been instrumental in unifying our resourcing team. Under her guidance, our integrated budget, cost and contracting teams keep IPPS-A programs running.”
We asked Simpson, today's #PEOEnterpriseTeammateTuesday, eight questions about her career and life. This is her story.
How did your career start?
After high school, I worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for several years. I loved that job because I enjoy caring for people. After a shoulder injury, my body couldn’t handle CNA work, so I worked oddball jobs while taking online courses. I earned a master’s degree in adult education and training, but my love for numbers wouldn't go away, so I also earned a master’s degree in business administration.
What results does your team produce for the Army?
We manage IPPS-A’s past, present and future financial requirements. We close out past funding, execute present funding and plan for future funding. We are the wheels that keep IPPS-A programs moving forward. We ensure that all funds are spent in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. We are careful stewards of taxpayers’ money.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not working?
I like listening to music. It allows me to disconnect. My husband and I collect vinyl records — we have nearly 500 of them. We listen to a lot of classic rock from the ‘70s and ‘80s. When I'm in my car, I listen to country music.
Do you have any book recommendations?
I watched a lecture by Marcus Canaday at the Professional Development Institute about how to be an intrusive leader. Canaday’s book, “Intrusive Leadership, How to Become THAT Leader,” inspired me. I learned that the way I naturally lead has a label.
An intrusive leader understands the people they lead — what gets them fired up, what they strive to be in their daily life, and their trials and tribulations inside and outside the workplace — and interjects themselves into their lives. Intrusive leaders guide people through their work and life by being involved and genuinely caring about them. That's how I lead.
My people know I care about them. I ask how they're doing every day. If I know they're going through something, I ask them how it’s going and how I can help.
Describe the IPPS-A culture.
IPPS-A is fast paced and innovative. We move and roll with changing requirements. We innovate the way we deploy applications. The IPPS-A workforce is dedicated to achieving the mission and supporting Soldiers.
We’re continually improving what we do and how we do it.
Why have you been successful in your career?
I have an amazing support system. When I was taking online courses while working full-time at night, my husband was my rock. He took care of the kids so I could study.
When my kids got older, they were very encouraging. They told me, “You’ve got this, Mom; you can do it!”
My son reminds me how to be humble and thankful. He also reminds me that anything's possible. My daughter is my number-one cheerleader. She’s always giving me positive praise.
My family is the reason I’ve gotten to where I am.
What is the best advice you received?
Constructive criticism is just that. A leader told me that I needed to learn how to write and speak as a leader. I learned to write with facts and not emotions. Taking that constructive criticism made me a better leader.
How would you like to be remembered?
I hope people look back on my life and see that I truly tried to be helpful and kind. I have a big heart, and sometimes it gets broken or shattered, but I always put the pieces back together. I don't let that stop me from continuing to be kind and helpful.
| Date Taken: | 03.04.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.17.2025 09:08 |
| Story ID: | 491994 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 8 questions with IPPS-A's Sabrina Simpson, by Susan McGovern, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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