Bobbie Mangini has built her life around resilience, service, and determination. Born in Medinah, Illinois, she grew up in a big family as the fifth of six children. Sports were her first passion. She excelled in softball, gymnastics, and cheerleading. That drive to push herself forward carried into every part of her life.
After graduating high school early, Bobbie earned dual degrees in Sociology and Anthropology from DePaul University, with minors in Psychology and Criminal Justice. She once planned on law school but shifted paths to raise her daughter. That choice reshaped her career, showing her the value of adapting when life changes course.
Over the years, Bobbie worked in hospitality and business, but found her strongest fit in human resources. Today, she serves as an HR Manager where she brings empathy, structure, and leadership to her team. She believes that people are the most important part of any business.
Bobbie also chased her creative side through acting and modeling. She studied for years in Chicago and later in Los Angeles, learning how to handle rejection and stay confident in who she is.
Outside of work, her passion is volunteering. She has served with the Salvation Army, FISH Food Pantry, and launched Operation Santa, which brings Christmas gifts to hundreds of children each year. Her efforts earned her a Volunteer of the Year award.
For Bobbie, success is simple: keep learning, serve others, and persevere through challenges. It is a lesson she lives by every day.
Q&A with Bobbie Mangini: Redefining Success
You’ve had a career that spans HR, acting, and volunteering. How do you personally define success?
Success isn’t about money or titles. It’s not about how many kids you have or where you live. For me, success is about serving others. I want to be a blessing to as many people as I can. That might be through volunteering at a food pantry, helping someone land a job, or just showing kindness on set. When I think of success, I think about standing before God and hearing, “Job well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Was there a moment that tested that definition of success?
Absolutely. I once went through 50 auditions without booking anything. It was discouraging. In this business you hear no constantly—you’re too tall, too short, too old, not old enough. For a while I thought maybe I wasn’t cut out for it. Then I had several more auditions and landed a role. That taught me not to take rejection personally. The lesson wasn’t about the booking, it was about not giving up.
You’ve said rejection is constant in acting. How has that influenced how you handle challenges outside of acting?
HR comes with its share of challenges too. You’re dealing with conflicts, tough conversations, and sometimes being the person who delivers bad news. Rejection and criticism in acting made me stronger in those moments. It taught me to listen without being defensive and to keep perspective. A “no” in acting doesn’t mean you’re not talented. In HR, an upset employee doesn’t mean you’re a bad manager. You separate the emotion from the bigger picture.
You launched Operation Santa through the FISH Food Pantry. How did that shape your view of success?
Operation Santa was one of the most rewarding projects I’ve done. We organized tags with ages and genders of children, and businesses displayed them for people to sponsor gifts. Families in need could sign up, and hundreds of kids received presents. I saw parents cry because they didn’t know how they were going to afford Christmas. That kind of impact changes you. It taught me success is not just climbing your own ladder—it’s holding the ladder for others.
What role has your education played in your definition of success?
Education gave me discipline and perspective. I graduated early from high school, then earned degrees in Sociology and Anthropology with minors in Psychology and Criminal Justice from DePaul. Those fields gave me a way to look at people and systems. I was headed for law school, but becoming a mother shifted my path. At first, I saw it as a detour. Over time, I realized it was a different kind of success—choosing family and still building a career on my terms.
Growing up in a large family, what lessons about success stuck with you?
My father was a self-made businessman. He didn’t go to college but built a successful company. That showed me you don’t have to follow one script to be successful. But being the fifth of six kids also meant I had to carve my own space. I was the athletic one, the one who stood out in sports. That early push to define myself shaped how I see success now—it’s not about competing with others, it’s about knowing what makes you unique.
You’ve balanced HR work with acting and volunteering. How do you set and track your goals?
I rearrange my goals constantly. Acting is unpredictable—auditions pop up last minute, roles fall through. HR has more structure, but people issues are never fully predictable either. I keep short-term goals flexible. For long-term goals, I anchor them in values. For example: keep volunteering, keep growing as an actor, and keep making a difference at work. If I’m aligned with those values, I don’t panic when the details shift.
Can you share a time when a failure taught you more than a success?
I once worked on a small independent film that flopped. Hardly anyone saw it, and the reviews weren’t great. But it was one of the most educational experiences. I learned what kind of projects I wanted to attach myself to, and I saw firsthand how leadership on a set can make or break morale. I came away better prepared for the next project. Success is great, but failure is a sharper teacher.
Who or what has been the biggest influence on how you measure success?
My faith. Scripture says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” That’s my foundation. When things don’t go my way, I lean on that. My husband also keeps me grounded—when I doubt myself, he reminds me of what I’ve already overcome. And volunteering has influenced me too. When you see families struggling to put food on the table, your own setbacks feel smaller.
If someone asked you how to build their own version of success, what advice would you give?
First, know that success looks different for everyone. Don’t chase someone else’s definition. Second, expect rejection. It’s part of the process, not a sign you should quit. Third, stay humble and kind. I’ve been on sets where egos ruined everything. I’ve also seen simple acts of kindness make people’s whole week. Success isn’t just the finish line—it’s how you treat people on the way there.