Krystal Simon

“It doesn’t matter if you are the president and CEO of a Fortune 500 company, an entry level employee, or (a volunteer) for your favorite charity. I firmly believe that you have the opportunity to positively influence others in every aspect of your life,” said Simon, who is the director of employee development for Interactive Hotel Solutions. IHS, founded in 2001 by Doug Lurvey and Jason Harris, is an independent online booking agency for hotel lodging.

Although Simon knows that hard work, initiative, discipline and the right skills give everyone the potential for success, she said that only leaders have the potential to compound success into life-changing accomplishments.

“You don’t multiply success by doing what you can do alone (but) by bringing others to your vision, and accomplishing that vision through them,” Simon said.

During her senior year at Drury University, Simon completed an internship at The Great Game of Business, where she later spent three years as the director of sales and marketing.

The Great Game of Business teaches the open-book management philosophy of Jack Stack, president and CEO of SRC Holdings Corp., an engine remanufacturer.

“As a result of that experience, I strongly believe in ‘paying it forward’ by hiring college interns, and by working with young women in the field of communications and marketing,” she said. “These women have now gone to work in the community and are helping others just like I helped them.”

Her proudest accomplishment, however, is not in her professional work, but in her volunteer efforts for American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. She served as the co-chair of the 2006 Springfield Relay for Life, which raised more than $710,000.

For Simon, it’s exciting to know that the money will be used for advocacy, patient services and cancer research, education and prevention. The need hit close to home for Simon in 2002, when she first got involved with Relay for Life.

“My husband had just lost his mother to breast cancer, and I had lost my uncle, who was like a father to me. I realized at that moment, I had to do something,” she said. “I didn’t want to lose another family member to this deadly disease. I was going to fight.”

Simon also is involved with the Association for Women in Communication, and has volunteered for Developmental Center of the Ozarks, United Way and Arc of the Ozarks.

Personally speaking

As a young child, what did you hope to be when you grew up?

I remember wanting to be lots of things: a schoolteacher, doctor, lawyer or someone in “management.” It wasn’t until I got into high school that I wanted to go into the field of communications.

Please tell us about your family.

I am so very blessed to have such a wonderful and supportive husband. Luke and I have been married for five wonderful years, and he continues to be my best friend and biggest champion. We have a 6-month-old daughter, Olivia. She is so much fun, and each day she reminds me of what is truly important in life.

What book are you reading now?

“The Unfair Advantage: Winning the Search Engine Wars,” by Planet Ocean, “Developing the Leader Within,” by John Maxwell and “Last Chance Saloon,” by Marian Keyes. Every night, Luke and I read to Olivia the book, “You Are My I Love You,” by Maryann Cusimano.

Beyond The Golden Rule, what philosophy do you live by?

In everything you do, do it with passion.

Tell us something about you that most people probably don’t know.

I would love to own horses and go horseback riding.