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 – Naila Chauncey Hughes
Each week, we feature a new woman from our growing community of dynamic professionals. If you know someone who should be featured, contact us!
Naila (pronounced ny-EE-lah) Chauncey Hughes
My Current Job/Company:
My company is called Spirit Syrup. It’s a woman-centered life coaching company that offers one-on-one sessions, workshops and restorative retreats.
My Birthdate:
July 29th.
My Work:
My work inspires me. Every day I get to meet and support women seeking a life aligned with the bigness of the dreams and talents. It lifts me.
My Passion:
Freedom from “shoulds.” Laughter. A cute pair of heels. Passport required travel. Road trips. Moments when my husband feels more like my boyfriend.
My Family:
Given: My mum (Carole), sister (Michele), my aunts, uncles and cousins.
Chosen: My husband (Kennon), Lu (bestie), Robin (too big for words), Tootsie and Pretty (step-cats)
My Heroes:
Mum, my grandmother Iris, my sister and Oprah.
My Escape:
Nature. Books. Laughter.
My Pet Peeve:
Late breaking news reports that interrupt my favorite TV shows.
My Indulgence:
Apple pie with ice cream. Crème brûlée.
My Roots:
Love, determination and the guidance of family. Toronto. Guyana. Virginia. Anansi. Classic House and Calypso music.
My Future:
My future will be the kind of thing postcards are made of. It will be a collection of pictures of people and places from all over the world and the Spirit Syrup workshops done there. I hope there will be letters from attendees that say “Thank you. Your workshop changed my life.”
My Loves:
Me. Kennon. Family. Babies. Fun.
My Movies:
The Matrix. Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon.
My Quote on Life:
“You cannot pretend to be less than you are.” Oprah.
My Accessories:
Bangles and bracelets.
My Advice to Young Women:
Give yourself permission to celebrate the bright light that you are. Do not dim your light for anyone.
How I Balance it All:
This is a work in progress. I listen to my body and my heart.
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.
Woman of the Week – Melissa Pierre-Louis
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 Pierre-Louis
My Current Job/Company
Education Program Assistant with the Supreme Court of Ohio Judicial College
My Birthdate
03/28
My Work
I coordinate and assist in the preparation and execution of continuing legal education courses and programs for judges, magistrates, and court personnel.
My Passion
Advocating for the rights and well being of others. Helping people find the means to help themselves.
My Family
Mom, Dad, sisters Lynn and Liona, brothers in-law Steve and Ryan, nieces, Faith, and Sara (and two more on the way).
My Hero
My Mom
My Escape
The spa. Every girl deserves to be pampered. Mani/pedi here I come!
My Pet Peeve(s)
Tardiness and pessimists.
My Indulgence
Hummus and pita chips.
My Roots
Filled with strength, independence, sacrifice, and faith.
My Future
The sky’s the limit. My latter days will be greater than the former.
My Love
Christ.
My Movies
Amazing Grace and the Great Debaters.
My Quote on Life
“The opportunity of a lifetime must be seized within the lifetime of the opportunity.”
(Leonard Ravenhill)
My Accessory
Earrings. I feel naked without them.
My Advice to Young Women
Be comfortable in your own skin. Stop trying to be like someone else. Do not be afraid to embrace your own unique attributes and recognize that most of the people who look like they have it all together really do not. If you are not your own unique self, who might the world be missing out on?
How I Balance it All
The three P’s — prayer, planning, and patience. I love making to do lists and truly enjoy the satisfaction that comes from checking off each task. However, I have learned the importance of asking for help when I need it. Pride can equal stress but peace of mind is priceless.
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.