Deidre Smith
Deidre Smith
Director of the Arkansas Waterways Commission
What is your secret to success?
Building strong relationships and thinking outside the box. Also, I’ve never been afraid to ask for tools or information I need to become successful; it never hurts to ask for help if you need it.
What advice would you give to a young woman starting her career?
Learn as much as you can about your industry and organization as quickly as possible. Take on more duties than are required and come up with your own initiatives. Finally, don’t be afraid to move to the next elevated position when it opens. Somebody will get that promotion, why not you?
How do you hope to be remembered?
As someone who accepted challenges and exceeded expectations. As someone who always improved organizations and left things better than when I arrived.
