Saying No…
Understand that there will be times when saying yes to yourself and your career may include saying no to what someone else has in mind.
Woman of the Week – Nicole Shiring
Each week, we feature a new woman from our growing community of dynamic professionals. If you know someone who should be featured, contact us!
Nicole Shiring
My Current Job/Company
Director, HR – McGraw-Hill Companies
My Birthdate
02.05.72
My Work
I partner with senior leaders to achieve corporate goals and objectives. I help managers be more effective leaders and I am passionate about trying to make things better!
My Passion
My children and all of their passions… plus my work. I do really enjoy helping people. I also am passionate about having a healthy life style.
My Family
Gary (the very significant other), Caden (almost 9), Colby (almost 7), Rocco (the dog), Max (the hamster) and Snappy (the hermit crab)
My Heroes
My parents. My dad always pushed me hard to do better. My mom taught me to be true to myself.
My Escape
The beach, my boat, or my backyard on a sunny day!
My Pet Peeve
Laziness drives me crazy!
My Indulgence
Pasta, key lime pie and red wine
My Roots
Two parents, one sister, a few dogs. Living all over the country and ultimately relying on each other.
My Future
I don’t know for sure. What I do know is that my children will always come first, I will always push for things to be better, and I will always strive to be as healthy as I can be, while still indulging every now and then!
My Love
My children
My Movie
Casablanca – I love the fairy tale of it all and one day I hope to travel that region
My Quote on Life
Everything that irritates us in others can lead us to a deeper understanding of ourselves – Carl Jung
My Accessory
Shoes, I have lots!
My Advice to Young Women
You can do anything you want to do and don’t let anyone tell you anything different because they are wrong! Find people who believe in you and let them help you!
How I Balance it All:
Lists, lists and more lists! I have a list of all my lists. Seriously… realizing that sometimes things have to give so when you have to pick and choose, pick and choose wisely around what you value most. Some things just have to wait.
Woman of the Week – Angel Harris
Each week, we feature a new woman from our growing community of dynamic professionals. If you know someone who should be featured, contact us!
Angel Harris
My Current Job/Company:
Senior Assistant Vice President, Development – United Way of Central Ohio
My Birth Date:
10.22.1975
My Work:
I lead a great team that works with public and private organizations to help them reach their philanthropic goals while generating over $40 million a year for community investment.
My Passion:
My spiritual walk, family and my career
My Family:
Christopher (Husband), Daughters (Alexis – 15 & Angelina – 2), Step sons (Kellen – 18, Esteban – 14, Ruel – 12 & Elon – 10). We are expecting a son on July 4th, 2011
My Heroes:
My mother and older sister. My mother taught me to be dedicated, introspective and benevolent. Drema taught me incredible life lessons from my ABC’s to being a conqueror that never settles.
My Escape:
“Girl’s Day Out” for shopping and dining that includes a mani/pedi!
My Pet Peeve:
People who litter.
My Indulgence:
Cheesecake….any kind of cheesecake!
My Roots:
Hardworking. Humble. Encouraging. Supportive of one another. Fun loving.
My Future:
Blessed and successful, yet probably not the way it is laid out in my 20 year plan!
My Love:
Date night with my husband, being with my children, laughing with my parents and siblings about family memories and antics until my eyes water.
My Movie:
The Mirror Has Two Faces. I have sat with my mother and several cups of coffee watching this movie for an entire afternoon.
My Quote on Life:
“I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13.
My Accessories:
Shoes and earrings.
My Advice to Young Women:
Have a plan for your personal and professional life so that you can visualize the success you want to achieve. Know what works and what doesn’t in the space you are in and pay close attention to the things going on around you. Don’t compromise what you believe but, be open to coaching in areas that will make you a stronger, better leader. Select a handful of women whose advice you can trust to be in your inner circle. And it doesn’t hurt to add a man or two to your group of mentors to give you balanced advice.
How I Balance it All:
I have an incredibly supportive family structure. They have been there for me every step of the way encouraging me to be the best at whatever I do. And my husband is the greatest. He fills in all the places that I am missing and is so great with the kids. If he didn’t do what he does, I couldn’t do what I do!
“Real” Abundance….
Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.
-Wayne Dyer
Woman of the Week – Melissa Meredith
Each week, we feature a new woman from our growing community of dynamic professionals. If you know someone who should be featured, contact us!
Melissa Meredith
My Current Job/Company:
I’m transitioning out of my former corporate executive life and into something quite different and yet unknown. It’s exhilarating and liberating!
My Birthdate:
11/7/69
My Work:
After decades of running at breakneck speed to do/have it all, my tank was empty. Once I made the decision to leave the corporate world, my work became that of figuring out how to reconnect with myself and my loved ones. I learned a lot along the way and now want to share my journey with others. Finding your voice and standing in your truth are vital to understanding why you matter to the world.
My Passion:
Making authentic connections with people. Lifting up the power each one of us has to make a difference. Living a wholehearted life and teaching my daughter to do the same.
My Family:
Erin, my daughter (7)
My Hero:
Maya Angelou’s quiet strength is awe-inspiring.
My Escape:
I get lost in the beauty of this world (art, music, poetry, nature, human connection, etc.).
My Pet Peeve:
Posers (I used to be one!)
My Indulgence:
I couldn’t possibly eat enough chocolate.
My Roots:
Soulful. Adventurous. Curious.
My Future:
Helping people discover their greatness.
My Love:
Seeing my daughter blossom makes my heart smile.
My Movie:
The English Patient
My Quote on Life:
“Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. To keep our faces toward change and behave like free spirits in the presence of fate is strength undefeatable.” -Helen Keller
My Accessory:
Matching necklace and earrings.
My Advice to Young Women:
Believe in yourself and pay close attention to the fire in your belly.
How I Balance it All:
Forget about urgent. Do what’s important and the urgent will take care of itself.
Missing Pieces: Women and Minorities on Fortune 500 Boards—2010 Alliance for Board Diversity Census
Collectively, women and minorities lost ground in America’s corporate boardrooms between 2004 and 2010, according to Missing Pieces: Women and Minorities onFortune 500 Boards—2010 Alliance for Board Diversity Census. White men still overwhelmingly dominate corporate boards with few overall gains for minorities since 2004 and a significant loss of seats for African-American men. In the Fortune 100, between 2004 and 2010, white men increased their presence, adding 32 corporate board seats, while African-American men lost 42, and women—particularly minority women—did not see an appreciable increase in their share of board seats. In the Fortune 500, which is included in this year’s report as well, the overwhelming majority of seats were held by white men.
The study was compiled by the Alliance for Board Diversity (ABD), a collaboration of five leading organizations—Catalyst, The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), theHispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR), Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP), and The Prout Group, Inc.
http://catalyst.org/publication/481/missing-pieces-women-and-minorities-on-fortune-500-boards2010-alliance-for-board-diversity-census
Loyalty…
Loyalty means not that I agree with everything you say or that I believe you are always right. Loyalty means that I share a common ideal with you and, regardless of minor differences, we fight for it, shoulder to shoulder, confident in one another’s good faith, trust, constancy and affection. ~Dr. Karl A. Menninger
Woman of the Week: Collyn Weaver
Each week, we feature a new woman from our growing community of dynamic professionals. If you know someone who should be featured, contact us!
Collyn Weaver
My Current Job/Company: I am looking for an accounting internship.
My Birthdate: November 26, 1990
My Work: As a student I am putting all of my effort into my courses to become the best I can be in the accounting field.
My Passion: My family, my friends, and my education.
My Family: Dad Lyle, Mom Lori, older brother Miles, and younger brother Mason.
My Heroes: My grandfather, who has taught me many life lessons, and my younger brother, who has a mental handicap but does not let that define him. He has overcome many obstacles in life and continues to each day.
My Escape: A long, hot bath with the radio on.
My Pet Peeve: Commercials and waiting in line.
My Indulgence: Chocolate.
My Roots: Simple, hard-working, and gracious.
My Future: Hopeful and exciting
My Love: Bonfires on a clear summer night with my friends.
My Movie: Sweet Home Alabama and Remember the Titans
My Quote on Life: “Fate exists but it can only take you so far, because once you’re there, it’s up to you to make it happen.” -Can’t Hardly Wait (Movie)
My Accessory: Headbands.
My Advice to Young Women: Dream big!
How I Balance it All: Having a family that supports me with all that I do. Also, a well organized planner.
For My Daughter…
I am addicted to positive thoughts, positive people and positive momentum. Simply said, I am a big fan of optimism. If you follow my blog, my Facebook updates or my comments, you know this to be true! I love inspirational quotes, motivational thoughts and all around positive people. This is what really fills my tank. My closest friends, very positive! When I have struggled at work or had challenges in life, it’s when I have been surrounded by too many negative people. It’s just not a good fit for me. And, if you are not the “cheery” type, I am probably not your cup of tea.
Recently, while visiting an old colleague, I was admiring her wall art. She had quotes around her home that described her personality. I loved it and I quickly went back home to find some appropriate messages for my walls – some inspiration, some positive-ness to surround us! My always-supportive husband rolled his eyes and asked, “isn’t your attitude enough already?” But I went on with my plan!
For Baby Connor’s room, I posted a quote from Winnie the Pooh: “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” Perfect!
For our living room: “The secret to having it all is knowing that you already do.” Even more perfect!
When it came to choosing a quote for my daughter, my fabulous 5-year-old, I was suddenly overwhelmed. I felt that everything I wanted her to believe, dream, feel and live, I wanted on her walls.
Where would I start? How many messages could I possibly find? How small could I get the font? I want her to be strong and daring. I want her to believe in herself. I want her to be smart and giving. I want her to always be a lady but also be confident. I want her to be kind, above all else. Somehow, I want these messages on the wall to sink in every single night when she lies in bed. Mostly, I don’t want her to be fearful of anything or anyone.
Suddenly I realized….she can’t read yet! Was this message a reminder for her or for me? I chuckled to myself when I found the perfect one. I think I chose one that transcends time; whether she is 5….or she is 40:
YOU ARE STRONGER THAN YOU SEEM, BRAVER THAN YOU BELIEVE, AND SMARTER THAN YOU THINK.
P.S. And, you live in a house full of optimism and love!
Meet Autumn Williams.. our Woman of the Week
My Name:
–Autumn R. Williams
My Current Job/Company:
–Program Manager for Strategic Planning at The Ohio State University
My Work
–I serve my alma mater in building and refining our strategy to go from excellence to eminence! I get a bird’s eye view of all the amazing things Ohio State does to serve students, faculty, staff and the community.
My Passion
–I have a lot of passion for education equity, social justice and professional development. These are the things I read about most.
My Family
–Given at birth and found through friendship. My family is everyone who loves me unconditionally.
My Heros
–My mom, Audrey. She once told me it is important to give back because someone did it for me. Many people have given of themselves to help me grow and I am forever grateful. I have carried this lesson in leadership with me my entire life and take seriously my responsibility to serve.
My Escape
–In a book… reading rainbow!
My Pet Peeve
–Wasting time.
My Indulgence
–Traveling, as much as I can.
My Roots
–Humble, faithful and full of love.
My Future
–Infinitely more than I can imagine.
My Love
–Laughing until my cheeks hurt.
My Movie
–Beauty and the Beast.
My Quote on Life
–It’s a tie: (1) “To whom much is given, much is required.”-paraphrase of Luke 12:48
And (2) “But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.” –Carrie Bradshaw, SATC
My Accessory
–Tiffany’s bracelets.
My advice to young women
–Pursue everything that interests you, find a mentor… more than one actually and spend time getting to know yourself.
How I balance it all…………….
–I don’t know if it is possible to every truly live a balanced life but I am committed to: making time for regular manicures, working out every day and only saying “yes” to things that align with my personal interests. Long days are only enjoyable if I’m doing things that I WANT to be doing. My priorities will change over time, but at least I won’t have a hang nail.