Woman of the Week: Jocelyn Sperko

Here at Executive Elements, we like to introduce you to fantastic women we think you should know. Some of these women are clients, some are friends, some are women we’ve only just met. But they all have this in common: they are dynamic, interesting people who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

Jocelyn Sperko

My Current Job/Company:
Leadership, People + Culture at Gerber, LLC

My Birthday:
11.12.1980

My Work:
In a nutshell, my job is to make sure our clients and our employees are happy. I do this by enriching the lives of our employees through wellness, culture, and benefits. And with our clients, that means deepening their experience through meaningful events, timely information, and useful technology.

My Passion:
Family, friends, making others laugh and smile, contributing positively to someone else’s day, traveling and experiencing as much of this crazy, beautiful world as possible!

My Family:
My Dad (who has taught me to work hard, do what’s right and, above all else, have fun), my three brothers (who ‘toughened’ me up as a kid), my sister-in-law, plus three nieces (who I spoil immensely) my two rescue pups (professional snugglers and full time fur bags) and a close circle of incredible friends

My Heroes:
My parents, hands down. They worked hard to provide my brothers and me with an amazingly rich and fulfilling childhood. They taught us a foundation of values but let us think for ourselves. We were never told what to do with our lives but were taught to support and take care of ourselves – it didn’t matter what we wanted to be when we grew up, as long as we were happy. My parents set the bar really high for what it means to be a spouse, a parent, a family, a friend.

My Escape:
Laying around with a good book, watching the sunset (or rise) from a beach or mountain-top

My Pet Peeve:
Pessimism, entitlement, not taking responsibility or ownership for your actions

My Indulgence:
Pizza. And a perfectly mixed Manhattan (with the ‘good’ cherries, of course).

My Roots:
Humble. Family-oriented. Jovial.

My Future:
Exciting. Fulfilling. Adventurous. Purposeful.

My Quote on Life:
“Happiness depends upon ourselves” (Aristotle)

My Accessory:
Fall, winter, spring: my beanie. Summer: a turquoise cuff that belonged to my mom…it makes me think of her, which makes me smile J

My Advice to Young Women:
Don’t take life too seriously, it’s meant to be one big adventure. Work hard for what you believe in and put your best foot forward…but don’t forget to have plenty of fun along the way!

How I Balance it All:
Balancing everything implies that one part of my life must give for another to take. So I think of it more as “finding balance” or making sure all parts of my life work together in harmony. I make time for the things that are important to me and I have learned to say “no” to the things that aren’t. I don’t hesitate to put a workout or lunch with a friend on the office calendar – it means I’m not available for an hour or two – but the needed escape ensures I can give 110% when I am back at the office.