Woman of the Week ~ Erica Foster

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Here 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: Erica Foster

My Current Job/Company: I am a Mother to 5, Tribe Community manager under Kary Oberbrunner, part-time bank teller, coach speaker, and author of “You Taught my Feet to Dance”.

My Passion: I believe that mothers are a powerful encouraging force in the lives of their children. To be a mother is one of the highest careers in the nation. It is a ministry. My desire is to help mothers truly connect with the Creator so they can turn their disappointments into dancing and passionately embrace their calling as mom.

My Family: Weston 22 (in the Air-force) Adelynn 19, Dalton 16, Audrynn 14, Azaliah 10, and our dog “Darcy”.

My Hero or Heroes: All the single moms and dads who wake-up everyday choosing to dance on their pain and loneliness, facing their fears, and raising their children with hope and purpose.

My Escape: Hiking, Camping. Shooting baskets, Taking long walks, Exercising…doing anything outdoors makes me feel alive and closer to my creator.

My Pet Peeve: Religious mindsets…having a form of godliness and rules but denying God’s power. Religion without a relationship is bondage. I choose freedom.

My Indulgence: A bag of sour patch kids.

My Roots: Humble. Simple. Happy. Surrounded by family. Friendships that last forever.

My Future: Living an intentional, impactful, and purposeful life.

My Favorite Quote: “Are the things you’re living for worth Christ dying for?” -Leonard Ravenhill

My Accessory: Sparkly eyes. A Smile. Tennis shoes.

My Advice to Young Women: Age is just a number. Don’t try to find someone or something to fill your emptiness. Let God be your first love!

How I Balance it All: Knowing that I can’t balance it all. The only way I can make it through each day is choosing to let go of how I think my life should be and surrender it all to God. He is the only one that can truly balance my life and help me to live it with true purpose. “Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

Woman of the Week ~ Lilu Terefe

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Here 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: Lilu Terefe

My Current Job/Company: Lead Youth Program Coordinator/Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services

My Work: ETSS is an organization that serves New American, Refugee and Immigrant Community. I am part of the Youth Program, program planning and implementation in After-School and Summer Camp Program, and overseeing program sites.

My Passion: Serving youth and empowering New American communities.

My Family: Wendu (greatttt husband) and my kids Moa-2 , and Ketie-10 months.

My Hero or Heroes: My parents who are always there, loving, and supportive. And all the working moms with young kids.

My Escape: With young kids….nowhere! but Saturdays, I wake up early and have a cup of tea.

My Pet Peeve: Being stuck in traffic.

My Indulgence: Upper Cup coffee – The best in town!

My Roots: Family Family Family!

My Future: Supporting, engaging, and empowering New American families!

My Favorite Quote: “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Mother Teresa

My Accessory: Big necklaces.

My Advice to Young Women: Confidence is the best accessory you can wear.

How I Balance it All: To do list and calendar!

Woman of the Week ~ Lisa Moser

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Here 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: Lisa Moser

My Current Job/Company: Author/Speaker/Consultant

My Work: Teaching people how to speak to the heart of their audience through authentic connection. Giving a voice to your passion.

My Passion: My family, encouraging others, helping others accomplish their dreams.

My Family: Don (Supportive Husband of 28 years), Cambree-25, Arlaina-23, Noah-17, Cohen-15 (2 year old Lab Cooper).

My Hero or Heroes: My daughter Arlaina who was diagnosed with Juvenile diabetes at the age of 8 years old. Also I love the underdogs–anyone who overcomes the odds and shows us all you can achieve anything you set your mind too!

My Escape: The mountains and hiking!! Just brings my life into perspective!

My Pet Peeve: Negativity, people who are late, people who have victim mentality.

My Indulgence: Pastries!!

My Roots: Very humble beginnings in life; very family focused; overcoming a lot of negative self talk.

My Future: Super exciting and busy! Serving others and helping them share their messages!! (plus doing what I love and speaking too!!)

My Favorite Quote: “Whether you think you can or think you can’t you’re right.” – Henry Ford

My Accessory: Sparkles and a smile.

My Advice to Young Women: Believe you are enough!! Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks about you and live your passion and purpose – AND always root for others!!

How I Balance it All:That is a loaded question, lol. I think it’s a constant reassessing on what is the top priority for the day. Being a wife, mom of 4, and owning my own business, things can change from day to day. So I prioritize everyday!!

Woman of the Week ~ Helen Fite

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Here 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: Helen Fite

My Current Job/Company: Communications and Political Relationship Manager at The Matriots PAC

My Work: I support, endorse, and encourage female candidates running for office to help elect more women to public office in Ohio.

My Passion: Empower women and increasing women’s political representation.

My Family: Margaret & Michael Fite, my greatest source of encouragement. Elliott Fite, my younger brother and partner in crime. Lily, my sweet 8-month-old kitten.

My Escape: Johnson’s Island, Ohio. A weekend getaway on Lake Erie with a giant fire place, a good book, a gorgeous Lake Erie sunset, and my mom’s chocolate chip cookies.

My Pet Peeve: The non-apology “I am sorry you feel that way.”

My Indulgence: Red Wine.

My Roots: My roots are in Ohio! My family has had a farm in Georgetown Ohio since 1868, my parents met & married while attending THE Ohio State University, and I lived in the same family home in Dublin since the day I was born.

My Future: A new challenge as I begin my legal studies at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in August. If anyone has any tips for a young lawyer – I would love to hear them!

My Favorite Quote: “Stand for something or you will fall for anything. Today’s mighty oak is yesterday’s nut that held its ground.” – Rosa Parks

My Accessory: A turquoise ring I found while studying abroad in Turkey. The Turquoise can only be found in Cappadocia, the most interesting & beautiful place I’ve ever been. My ring serves as a daily reminder to leap outside my comfort zone.

My Advice to Young Women: Just show up. Whether grabbing coffee with a friend, or heading to that networking event, just show up. We are all busy, but once you’re there, you never know who you will meet or what you might learn. Always show up for your friends, your family, and your community – it is half the battle and the easiest way to show someone you value them!

How I Balance it All: I learn from role models and female leaders who strive to “have it all.” Then I remind myself, I have plenty of time for the things that are important to me and take a deep breath!

Woman of the Week ~ Niccie Kliegl

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Here 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: Niccie Kliegl

My Current Job/Company: Faith-based Life Coach & Business Coach & Founder of / Fulfill Your Legacy & Launch Your Legacy

My Work: I coach others to get God-partnered, clarify their divine purpose, and tap into all the trinity offers. So they are empowered by the work they do, the health they are in, and the relationships they have, creating a legacy of leading and succeeding God’s way. There is an added passion of mine to share business startup and growth with those who have found their divine purpose and who have a heart to it into their life work in my business startup practice called Launch Your Legacy.

My Passion: My faith, my family, my community and raising others up.

My Family: Jeff (Husband, best friend, lover and leader), Raya (Daughter-Sweet friend and amazing mother of my Grandbaby Iris), Riley (Daughter-Nurse and my dear friend)

My Hero or Heroes: God. (All knowing, always present, all powerful) He moves mountains for me and those I work with.

My Escape: Vacations with my husband. Trips to see our grown children and grand baby. Cabin to write whatever my next book is.

My Pet Peeve: Myrter mentality

My Indulgence: Wine, Chocolate

My Roots: Love, joy, peace, passion, energy…God.

My Future: Abundant and just beginning 😉

My Favorite Quote: “A balanced life is the centered intersection of your values, time, and action. That’s where integrity resides.” (Don Blohowiak)

My Accessory: Coffee cups with awe inspiring beauty and/or great messaging. Yoga/athletic stuff, Bible study tools, cool glasses.

My Advice to Young Women: Know who you are in GOD’s eyes-not mans and always do your best today (not perfection-simply YOUR best), knowing you can do better tomorrow while where you were at today was all good. <3

How I Balance it All: Priorities and rightly focused energy. God first, learn the call Has for you and HE will help you in ways you never imagined; as a mom, an entrepreneur, a wife… IN ABSOLUTELY ALL THAT YOU DO. With God you can be the ‘natural’ YOU combined with His ‘super’. You can be SUPERNATURAL!

Women of the Week – Advice on Balance

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Work Life Balance

Starting the week with some advice from three of our Women of the Week on how they balance it all!

Keep the end goal in mind. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Support from my amazing family and friends. ~ Katie Burns Eesley

I work to focus on priorities, knowing when to say no, and have a lot of help from my family and many great people. ~ Kristen Atha

Lots of organization and lots of help…and I’m not afraid to ask for it! ~ Heather Carlisle

Woman of the Week ~ Nanette O’Neal

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Here 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: Nanette O’Neal

My Current Job/Company: Author of A Doorway Back to Forever book series and entrepreneur at Beyond the Doorway

My Work: Using the power of story, I help you unleash the hero within to become the person you were meant to be. My book series is inspirational for children of all ages, and my online course supplements the series to strengthen character for individuals and families alike.

My Passion: My faith, my family, my friends, and a good story.

My Family: Michael (my incredible husband), Michael Jr. (my wonderful son), Kristen (the best daughter-in-law on the planet), and Charlotte (the most adorable granddaughter alive). Heidi my German Shepherd, Charlie my husky, and Geordi my kitty.

My Hero or Heroes: My best friend from childhood, Nansi Krauss, who believes in me like no one else ever has. My husband, Michael O’Neal, who is my rock and my forever-man.

My Escape: Space, the final frontier! Soaring aboard the Starship Enterprise, exploring strange new worlds …!

My Pet Peeve: I hate when you go to the movies with someone who already saw the picture and they tell you what’s going to happen. *rolling my eyes*

My Indulgence: Snuggling my doggies and kitty.

My Roots: I’m a Jersey girl at heart, but I love spending time in the mountains.

My Future: My future is a series of amazing doorways leading to happiness beyond measure.

My Favorite Quote: “To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.” Alfred Lord Tennyson from the poem Ulysses. (really, the whole poem)

My Accessory: A dog leash.

My Advice to Young Women: Your life is a wonderful story yet to be written. Don’t deny the victory that is already yours to claim.

How I Balance it All: Being grounded in faith in my Savior, Jesus Christ, sets the foundation. Loving myself despite my flaws helps me move past my yesterdays. Relying on the people who genuinely love me gives me strength for today. Keeping an eternal perspective gives me hope for tomorrow.

Woman of the Week ~ Lisa Bradley

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Here 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: Lisa Bradley

My Current Job/Company: R.Riveter

My Work: My company and life’s mission is to provide mobile, flexible income opportunities for women.

My Passion: Creating new and better ways of doing things.

My Family: Jason (Best friend and Husband), Owen (Adventurous Son- 5), Cora (sassy daughter – 2)

My Hero or Heroes: My parents. They gave me the best life, I can only hope to do the same for my kids.

My Escape: My backyard garden. I love seeing something grow with a little bit of patient labor and attention.

My Pet Peeve: Glass half empty mentalities. Perfect isn’t real–trying to get there is the goal, and the fun behind doing anything.

My Indulgence: Any gadget that plugs in and makes my life easier – I love my robot vacuum and mop.

My Roots: Big sky country.

My Future: Raising my kids to be productive members of society.

My Favorite Quote: “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” Amelia Earhart

My Accessory: R.Riveter handbag, and comfortable shoes- you never know if your next adventure is right around the corner.

My Advice to Young Women: Have a plan but remain flexible. The largest strides have been made from women who had to re-invent themselves and their perspective.

How I Balance it All: There is no such thing as balance, but there are boundaries. Create barriers to protect the time spent in areas that are important in your life and be present.

Woman of the Week ~ Daphne V. Smith

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Here 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: Daphne V. Smith

My Current Job/Company: Speaker, Author, Wave Maker, and Truth Teller through Daphne V. Smith

My Work: I work with high achieving women ready to breakthrough the mask of perfection in order to recall their dreams, reclaim their dignity, and realize their destiny.

My Passion: Encouraging women to realize their innate potential and own their gifts

My Family: Husband of more than 30 years, David. Three grown amazing humans- daughter, Erica; son, Connor; daughter-in-love, Alexis

My Hero or Heroes: Specifically, my maternal grandmother who graduated from college at age 69; generally, victors and over comers of all kinds

My Escape: Reading, especially in the sunshine

My Pet Peeve: Martyrs, victims and secrets

My Indulgence: Dark chocolate and the occasional reality show

My Roots: Proud Texan from family committed, hard working, stubborn, faithful parents and grandparents

My Future: I believe if I’m still breathin’, it’s for a reason. As a life-long learner, I plan to keep growing.

My Favorite Quote: From Marianne Williamson’s Our Deepest Fear, “it is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.”

My Accessory: A quality handbag

My Advice to Young Women: Seek whose you are and who you are, up until now the world has tried to mold you, seek your authentic self

How I Balance it All: I believe in harmony over balance. Knowing my values and priorities allows me to adapt and achieve.

Woman of the Week ~ Juli Faris Bruce

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Here 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: Juli Faris Bruce

My Current Job/Company: General Counsel and Principal/NBBJ

My Work: I strategize pragmatic solutions in high pressure situations and crisis, and I build bridges where there is conflict. I inspire a team of brilliant people to serve and lead others in our company, and I encourage them to trust in hopeful futures.

My Passion: My Catholic faith and serving the broken-hearted, creating memories and traditions with my family, achieving lofty goals at work, and spending peaceful time with my husband.

My Family: Tim (husband and love of my life), West (loving and “wise beyond his years” son), Katie (sensitive, beautiful daughter in law), Melissa (gorgeous and fiercely brilliant daughter), Nick (adventurous, thrill seeking son)

My Hero or Heroes:Bob and Peggy Halley (my devoted parents). Dad lives his faith and taught me exemplary work ethic. Mom’s sense of fun and whimsy inspired the dreamer in me. They both gave me a love for dancing, running, fitness and achieving excellence in everything I do.

My Escape: Dancing until my hair is dripping wet, laughing with my husband and kids, trips in February to sunny destinations with my husband Tim.

My Pet Peeve: Men who leave the toilet seat up, people who lack manners and respect for others, chewing gum

My Indulgence: Tab, Cosmopolitans, Pasta, Wine, “Say Yes to the Dress” on TBS

My Roots: I had a very large extended family that celebrated all holidays and life’s milestones together. The door to my grandparents’ home was literally never locked, and they were always home. They were the most selfless, generous people I’ve ever known and lived to create traditions and memories to unite our family. I aspire to be just like them

My Future: The best is yet to come!

My Favorite Quote: It’s actually a Bible verse that my best friend Katie reminded me of when I was going through a difficult time in my life: “For I know the plans I have for you, sayeth the Lord, plans to honor you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.”

My Accessory: Kate Spade……anything Kate Spade.

My Advice to Young Women: Never give up, never give up, never give up! The most joyful life is an authentic one. Strive to find at least one soul mate in life.

How I Balance it All: Family is always first. I put my strongest foot forward at work every single day. I make time to sweat at the gym a few times a week. All the rest I categorize as “nice to haves.”