About Paula
Paula Singer is a distinguished expert in organizational development, strategic planning, and leadership, advancing best practices in human resources and workplace effectiveness.
Who is Paula Singer?
Paula Singer, PhD, primarily serves as a Vice President in Segal's Performance and Rewards practice, based in Washington, D.C. She is also a respected Associate in the Department of Health Policy and Management at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, where she teaches organizational behavior and management to master's and doctoral candidates. Dr. Singer is recognized for her extensive experience in helping organizations develop effective solutions in strategic planning, change management, and leadership development across public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
Her reputation stems from a career dedicated to aligning organizational strategy with human resources functions, focusing on compensation, performance management, and organizational structure. Her collaborative and customized approach has enabled numerous clients to achieve greater effectiveness and meet their strategic objectives.
Quick facts about Paula Singer
| Role | Vice President; Associate Faculty Member |
| Company | Segal; Johns Hopkins University |
| Expertise | Organizational Development, Strategic Planning, Change Management, Compensation, Leadership |
| Notable for | Founder of The Singer Group, comprehensive consulting in HR and organizational effectiveness |
| BPI affiliation | Expert Faculty member |
What is Paula Singer known for?
- Expertise in compensation, organization development, strategic planning, and change management.
- Founding The Singer Group, Inc., a management consulting firm, in 1983 (acquired by Segal in 2018).
- Developing customized solutions for clients including the City of Salisbury, Wicomico County Government, and UnderArmour, Inc.
- Authoring several books on compensation and human resources for libraries, including "Developing a Compensation Plan for Your Library" and "Human Resources for Results: Right People, Right Time, Right Work."
- Her academic contributions as an Associate at Johns Hopkins University and a National Faculty Member at Nova Southeastern University.
What is Paula Singer's background and experience?
Dr. Singer established The Singer Group in 1983, serving as its CEO and Chief Strategist until its acquisition by Segal in 2018. Before founding her firm, she held various positions in both private sector and nonprofit organizations, including roles at a subsidiary of the Bendix Corporation, Commercial Credit Company, and as an Executive Director of a public sector union. Her career path has provided her with a comprehensive understanding of human resources and organizational dynamics.
Her academic credentials include:
- PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from the Fielding Institute, Santa Barbara, CA.
- MA in Organization Development from The Fielding Institute.
- Master of Administrative Sciences from The Johns Hopkins University.
- BS in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University.
- Certificate in Brain-Based Coaching from the NeuroLeadership Institute.
Dr. Singer has been recognized for her achievements, including being honored as one of Maryland's Top 100 Women in 1997, 1999, and 2001, and being elevated into the Circle of Excellence. She was also a member of Leadership Maryland in 1999, and has received the Maryland ICON Award in 2017.
What topics does Paula Singer speak and write about?
Paula Singer's work focuses on the critical intersection of human resources and organizational strategy. She frequently addresses topics such as aligning staff, leadership, and organizational structure with strategic goals. Her insights are particularly valuable for understanding how effective compensation plans and performance management systems can drive organizational success.
She has authored and co-authored multiple books covering compensation and human resource strategies, particularly within the library and higher education sectors. Her articles for the International Public Management Association for Human Resources (IPMA-HR) delve into topics like performance management, rewarding employees, and preparing for generational shifts in the workforce, emphasizing practical applications for public sector organizations.
How does Paula Singer contribute to the Best Practice Institute?
Paula Singer is an Expert Faculty member at the Best Practice Institute, contributing her deep knowledge in organizational development, change management, and leadership. Through her affiliation with BPI, she helps to advance the understanding and implementation of best practices that foster Most Loved Workplaces® and operational excellence. Her expertise aligns with BPI's mission to provide insights and research that enhance leadership and workplace culture, supporting the SPARK Model for organizational effectiveness.
Where can you learn more from Paula Singer?
To gain further insights from Paula Singer, explore her publications and the resources provided by the Best Practice Institute. Her work at Segal and Johns Hopkins University also offers avenues to learn more about her contributions to organizational effectiveness and human resources best practices.