40 under 40: Darren Anglin
40 under 40: Darren Anglin
Congratulations to Darren Anglin (ABJ ’16) on being named a 40 Under 40 honoree by the UGA Alumni Association.
For more than three years, Anglin has served as the global human resources director for Johnson Controls, an international company specializing in automated building controls. He has more than 10 years in various roles in marketing and human resources, including serving six years as a recruiting manager for Allstate.
While at UGA, Anglin was a T. Howard Foundation Mentor in Diversity recipient and held an internship with ESPN. He was also the recipient of the President’s Fulfilling the Dream Award in 2016. He was on the Club Gymnastics UGA team, served as vice president of Phi Beta Sigma and was a housing resident assistant.
Outside of his corporate work, Anglin has created the Via Lactea Scholarship at UGA, which is given to a student annually at the University of Georgia who exhibits leadership in their community and inspires others to achieve success. He mentors students through the Georgia African American Male Experience (GAAME) program and Phi Beta Sigma, and regularly speaks on campus.
Following are excerpts from a Q&A with Anglin.
What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
It’s in you, not on you. You’re everything you think you can be. You have everything you need. Stick to the plan.
What skills or advice would help graduates and young alumni for success early in their careers?
Young alumni should be focused on how AI will drive efficiencies in their industry so they control how it’s implemented and owned within their role. This will help them remain valuable, highly sought after talent.
They should also be very open to relocation for career opportunities early in their career before other variables in life happen like parent care, children, etc.
They should seek coaching from experts who are where you want to be. Listen to understand, rather than respond immediately.
Finally, young alumni should create their own opportunities where they don’t exist. I’ve submitted proposals for jobs that didn’t exist at former companies and gotten them approved because I saw a problem and offered a compelling solution with myself positioned as the most qualified person to lead the effort.
What accomplishment or moment in your career are you most proud of?
There are many, but becoming a people leader and providing opportunities for employees that may have been overlooked by their previous leader has been extremely fulfilling. Paying it forward and having the opportunity to pull others up, like so many did for me, is by far one of the best parts of my job.
How do you get inspired?
There are three things: watching civil rights documentaries, brunch conversations with friends about our dreams and listening to music.
What do you believe is your biggest strength and how has it helped you in your current role?
Change agility. As the company continues to transform, I’ve been challenged to set new targets, restructure teams, outline new role responsibilities and coach stakeholders across the globe. Anticipating changes based on company direction and proactively setting new standards for how I add value to the organization has kept me a viable resource for the company.
What does success mean to you?
Three things: building a safe space for my family, opening doors for the most marginalized and having the courage to show others the art of the possible.
Rapid Fire Round
Top five songs to push you through a bad day?
- Bigger – Beyonce
- Back on the ropes – XL the scholar
- Lovely Day – Kirk Franklin
- One More – Superchick
- Fighter – Christina Aguilera
Favorite Podcast?
- Why America? with Leeja Miller
- Native Land Pod
- Impact Theory, Tom Bilyeu
- Diary of a CEO
One job-related tool you can’t live without?
PowerBI & Excel
Favorite place you’ve traveled?
Prague & Paris
Item on your bucket list?
Dancing with Beyonce in a stadium of 60,000+
Editor: Sarah Freeman, freemans@uga.edu
Friday, Sept. 5 • 10 a.m. • Peyton Anderson Forum Join us for a panel conversation with our Grady College 40 Under 40 honorees as we discuss what they wish they had known as students about life after college. See our Events listing for more details.
40 under 40 Coffee and Conversation