Woman of the Week – Laurie Aquilina

Laurie AHere at Executive Elements, we like to feature 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Laurie Aquilina

My Current Job/Company:
Director of Sales/Spectrum Reach

My Work:
I’m a coach, mentor, talent developer, and hands-on leader whose primary focus is dedicated to the development of a sustainable culture of excellence. I thrive on preparing a team culture that is foundationally prepared for organizational change, restructuring and continued growth. As Director of Sales, for Spectrum Reach, I am recognized as a leader of change and sustainable growth. With the ability to quickly assess talent, structure, workflows and go to market strategies, I work expediently to lead a team through required change while keeping them focused performance standards and measures.

My Passion:
My faith, my family, my friends.

My Family:
Bill Carmean (husband – kindred soul & confidante); Luce’ my golden retriever.

My Hero or Heroes:
My mother. I learned from her you can do and be anything you want. When life brings you lemons make lemonade.

My Escape:
I love any beach but my heart and soul is in Tuscany, Italia.

My Pet Peeve:
People that are disrespectful of others. People that don’t take responsibility for their actions and play the victim role.

My Indulgence:
Shopping and travel.

My Roots:
Italian roots made up of faith, family, love, loyalty and happiness

My Future:
Filled with light in my life, faith bound, great health, helping people and travel.

My Favorite Quotes:
“No man is a failure who has friends” ~It’s a Wonderful Life
“What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?”

My Accessory:
A smile and shoes.

My advice to Young Women:
Love yourself, be kind to yourself, forgive yourself and be confident in yourself!

How I Balance it All:
I don’t balance as well as I need to. I check in with myself and ask, what am I missing?

Woman of the Week – Julie Talbot-Hubbard

_MG_5032-JulieTalbot-Hubbard-Edit_6x8_300dpiHere at Executive Elements, we like to feature 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Julie Talbot-Hubbard

My Current Job/Company:
SVP, Head of Information Security Operations/SunTrust

My Work
I transform Information Security Programs & organizations within companies to mitigate current Cyber Security Risks. I do this by establishing trusted partnerships with key stakeholders, increasing security awareness, creating security strategies aligned to business objectives, delivering on commitments and building a world class security team.

My Passion:
My family and helping individuals and teams realize their talents, capabilities and goals.

My Family:
R.J.(supportive husband), Hayden (amazing son- 6), Lexi (loving dog – 2)

My Hero or Heroes:
My grandmother and parents. They supported me and taught me to go after my dreams, and that I could achieve anything I aspired to…. Never give up.

My Escape:
Any beach with my family. The sun, sand and sound of waves hitting the shore relax, rejuvenate and bring me peace.

My Pet Peeve:
Negative people and those who won’t give change a chance.

My Indulgence:
Wine & Margaritas.

My Roots:
Humble, authentic and empathic. Always treat others how I would want to be treated.

My Future:
Happy and bright for myself and family.

My Favorite Quote:
A leader takes people where they want to go. A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be. —Rosalynn Carter

My Accessory:
My watch and my smile.

My advice to Young Women:
Believe in yourself. Stop any doubts and never give up on your dreams.

How I Balance it All:
Prioritize, prioritize and reprioritize hourly, daily, weekly. And with a lot of support from my husband and other great people.

Woman of the Week – Christine Labardee

View More: http://renataramsini.pass.us/clabardeeHere at Executive Elements, we like to feature 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Christine Labardee

My Current Job/Company:
Strategic Marketing Manager/IGS Energy

My Birthday:
11/02/87

My Work:
I support the residential division of our business by creating a holistic, integrated marketing plan to support sales activities, product launches and market expansion plans. I evaluate the big picture as the business evolves to ensure continuity for maximum impact.

My Passion:
My family, my friends and music.

My Family:
My husband, Brandon and our 2-year-old black lab, Koda.

My Hero or Heroes:
My parents. They taught me everything from a great work ethic, patience and perseverance, to kindness, money management, cooking, etc. You name it. They are a great example of an amazing relationship and partnership.

My Escape:
A new piece of piano music and time to figure it out. Or relaxing by a lake with my family.

My Pet Peeve:
Not being open-minded or willing to see other perspectives.

My Indulgence:
Buying a bunch of ingredients and cooking a new meal.

My Roots:
Down to earth, close-knit family.

My Future:
Building it as we speak – no down time in sight!

My Favorite Quote:
“It’s a helluva start, being able to recognize what makes you happy.” ~Lucille Ball

My Accessory:
Blingy stud earrings and a bubbly personality.

My advice to Young Women:
Advocate for yourself and do not be afraid to ask for what you want. And say it with confidence.

How I Balance it All:
Lists! Prioritized, organized lists. And an amazing support network.

Woman of the Week – Julie Paler

View More: http://renataramsini.pass.us/jpalorHere at Executive Elements, we like to feature 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Julie Paler

My Current Job/Company:
IT Service Delivery Director, SVP/ Huntington Bank

My Birthday:
11/11/1963

My Work:
I am the Technology and Conversions Program Director for Mergers and Acquisitions. Currently I’m coordinating and overseeing T&C activities in support of the FirstMerit Bank Acquisition.

My Passion:
My family, my friends.

My Family:
Mike (Loving Husband) and Ben (Wonderful Son – 10).

My Heroes:
My parents (Dale and Eleanor Hunter). They consistently supported family and were always driven to identify for the best answers or solutions. They never gave up.

Two previous Huntington Bank managers in IT, Bev Newton and Donna Lash. They pushed me to think outside the standard boundaries of IT and gain a well-rounded understanding of the banking business.

My Escape:
Someplace warm and sunny where I can relax with family, friends and sometimes by myself. A short term escape is adult coloring books where I can relax my mind at the end of a “crazy” day.

My Pet Peeve:
Distracted drivers (on their cell phone while driving), consistent negativity & not being able to fall asleep when I am tired.

My Indulgence:
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, YUMMY!

My Roots:
Small town country girl. Family focus. Lifelong friendships. Optimism.

My Future:
Bright and Challenging.

My Favorite Quotes:
I have two…

“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s a day you’ve had everything to do and you’ve done it.”
~ Margaret Thatcher

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal, it is the courage to continue that counts.”
~ Winston Churchill

My Accessory:
Bright color blazers and scarves.

My advice to Young Women:
Never give up in what you believe in, maintain a positive outlook on your life and achievements.

How I Balance it All:
Prioritize, reprioritize and after that juggle well. Accomplished with the support of my husband and wonderful friends!!

Woman of the Week – Kelley Griesmer

KMG Pel HeadshotHere at Executive Elements, we like to feature 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Kelley Griesmer

My Current Job/Company:
Vice President, Special Projects at The Columbus Foundation

My Birthday:
05.13.68

My Work:
I work on special initiatives to amplify The Columbus Foundation’s mission to assist donors and others in strengthening and improving our community for the benefit of all its residents. This includes working on The Big Table, The Big Give and Gifts of Kindness.

My Passion:
Spreading kindness and empowering people to bravely pursue philanthropy.

My Family:
Greg (husband of 23 years) and Keiran (14 year-old son who attends Columbus Academy).

My Hero or Heroes:
My Mom because she’s the strongest person I know and I owe everything I am to her.

My Escape:
Live music – especially when played by Dave Matthews Band.

My Pet Peeve:
When people refuse to acknowledge the correct spelling of my first name.

My Indulgence:
Champagne, Chocolate and Yoga (but usually not together).

My Roots:
Truth and Humor.

My Future:
Unknown. I do my best to focus on now.

My Favorite Quote:
Technically, these are lyrics. “Above all things, if kindness is your king, then heaven will be yours before you meet your end.”
(Dave Matthews)

My Accessory:
Jewelry and shoes – they are my forms of artistic expression.

My advice to Young Women:
Your thoughts are all you have, so try to make them brave. (Cribbed from Jason Mraz lyrics.)

How I Balance it All:
It takes a village so I have to be willing to ask for help when I need it. And when I feel like I’m losing the race, I try to remind myself that I am enough.

Woman of the Week – Stella Keane

View More: http://renataramsini.pass.us/skeaneHere at Executive Elements, we like to feature 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Stella Keane

My Current Job/Company:
VP Talent Management/Big Lots

My Birthday:
06.12.72

My Work:
My team and I identify, hire, and retain high caliber talent across our business. We also seek to provide continuous learning opportunities to develop our talented team. I focus my energy on ensuring my family, community, church and work identify and achieve the goals that are important to them.

My Passion:
Spending time with my family.

My Family:
Kerry (amazing supportive husband), Matt (full of life son -17), KJ (smart, intelligent son -15), Josephine (driven daughter -11) and Julianna (witty daughter -8)

My Escape:
Spending time with my children and husband anywhere.

My Pet Peeve:
Not having the house cleaned up.

My Indulgence:
Wine and cheese.

My Roots:
Authentic and genuine. Family is everything.

My Future:
Exciting and rewarding.

My Favorite Quote:
“We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behavior.”
~ Stephen M.R. Covey, The Speed of Trust: The One Thing that Changes Everything

My Accessory:
Lipstick and Jewelry.

My advice to Young Women:
Always remember where you came from and where you want to go.

How I Balance it All:
Time Management with an amazing network of family and friends!

Woman of the Week – Anne Marie La Bue

AML Pic 2015Here at Executive Elements, we like to feature 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Anne Marie La Bue

My Current Job/Company:
In-house Employee Benefits Counsel for Cardinal Health, Inc.

My Birthday:
10.15.1966

My Work:
I help manage the Company’s internal benefit plans, governance structure, audits and reporting. I also provide due diligence and integration support for mergers and acquisitions.

My Passion:
My family and friends, music and the arts, equal rights.

My Family:
Terry (Husband), Cameron (Son- 19), Caitlin (Daughter – 17), Bella (Chocolate Labrador – 8), Jello (Fox Red Labrador – 4).

My Hero or Heroes:
Martin Luther King.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

My Escape:
A good book or a good movie or, better yet, reading a good book or watching a good movie at our lake house.

My Pet Peeve:
Prejudice and pessimism.

My Indulgence:
Dark chocolate.

My Roots:
Family gatherings (Seneca Parkway, Conesus Lake, Milwaukee), Boston University years, now most of my life in Columbus.

My Future:
Healthy, happy, active, and on the water.

My Favorite Quote:
“Love the life you live, live the life you love.” (Bob Marley)

My Accessory:
Accessories often an afterthought. I like my Swiss Army watch. Boots are my favorite but I guess those don’t count as an accessory.

My advice to Young Women:
Believe in yourself and embrace challenges. Tackling your fears is freeing and helps you develop the self-confidence you will need to control your career and set your work-life balance.

How I Balance it All:
I make lots of lists (mostly on OneNote now but also scribbled post-it notes), shuffle priorities on the fly, and have learned to reach out for help when I need it. I also de-stress by working out (preferably with friends) and walking my dogs.

Women of the Week – Passion equals action!

StarburstOur Women of the Week are dynamic individuals. They are not only high achieving in their careers, but many of them have found their true passion ~ and we love to hear all about it! Sometimes a true passion is connected to a career. Or, it may be discovered after a significant life event. Other times a person’s true passion is something they’ve always felt. Whatever it is, we love to see how passion ignite action for the greater good!

Kristy Carlson
To inspire, empower, and enable everyone around me to be the very best version of themselves and reach their full potential.

Jaclyn Peresetsky
My love for changing women’s lives. Affecting the outside changes them inside, allowing them to live their best life.  My faith keeps me going and encourages me everyday to follow this passion, no matter the obstacles.

Jennifer Pritchard
I aim to do everything with passion! Among them, though, I love international travel, photography, fitness, and learning anything I can.

Yvette McGee Brown
My family and my community. I think Columbus is a special place. I like to make a difference for the generations that follow us. I am really committed to helping women maximize their potential and to having the courage to live their dreams.

Brandy Hann
Bringing an end to cancer! I dream of living in a cancer free world.

Women of the Week – How they recharge!

StarburstWe can always count on our Women of the Week for encouraging words of inspiration! We love that we can also look to them for ideas on how to slow down, unwind and get away from it all! Here are a few of our favorite ways our Women of the Week escape to find rest and relaxation…

Jaime Franklin
Tropical places. Nothing relaxes me like sunny days, amazing sunsets, and completely disconnecting from “reality” for a few days!

Barb Smoot
Exercising—specifically running and weight lifting—and going to the movies with my children.

Bethany Donatelli
Traveling – I always have a trip on the books. My favorite escape is a beach anywhere!

Stacy Chinn
Shopping!

Katie Matney
On a Sunday hike with my family taking the time to explore the great outdoors and reconnect with each other before a busy week.

Woman of the Week – Jen Yaross

View More: http://renataramsini.pass.us/jyarossHere at Executive Elements, we like to feature 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Jennifer Yaross

My Current Job/Company:
Vice President, Investments Controller at Nationwide Insurance

My Birthday:
10.11.77

My Work:
I serve as the Investments Controller at Nationwide which affords me the privilege of leading a team of 32 unique and wonderful associates, be a part of a dynamic Investments and Controllership department as well as establish and execute development and engagement strategies that impact the 250 associates across our accounting departments. I also serve as the executive sponsor for the Columbus chapter of the Nationwide All Women’s Resource Group which is close to 1000 members strong and growing every day.

My Passion:
There is nothing more exhilarating than seeing the potential in an individual, a cause, a culture and being a part of what catapults that potential forward.

My Family:
Todd (My husband and biggest fan), Alex (my brilliant and driven 6 year old), Jackson (my empathetic and joyful 4 year old).

My Hero or Heroes:
My mom. She is always going to battle for others. Her drive to create a platform that gives a voice to those that would not otherwise be heard inspires me.

My Escape:
Yoga – quiets my mind.

My Pet Peeve:
Dishes in the sink and nay-sayers.

My Indulgence:
Coffee, wine and pedicures – a combination of these is even better.

My Roots:
Hardworking, always forward looking, full of family and appreciation for all the moments that make up a lifetime.

My Future:
Bright and full of possibilities.

My Favorite Quote:
“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” (Warren Buffett)
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” (Dr. Seuss)

My Accessory:
Earrings that my parents gave me for my high school graduation. They mean so much to me and I still wear them almost every day.

My advice to Young Women:
Surround yourself with those that believe in you and will challenge you along your path. Stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone early and often. Stay true to yourself.

How I Balance it All:
It takes a village and an amazing husband and an ability to check yourself to ensure you are present in the moment.