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:
Sara Kodak

My Current Job/Company:
Corporate Controller/Thirty-One Gifts

My Work:
I lead the accounting department and am responsible for financial reporting, controls and compliance, but more importantly I get to support a company who’s mission is to celebrate, encourage, and reward women!

My Passion:
My family, and helping to build up strong and confident girls.

My Family:
Matthew (handsome husband); Eliana (adorable daughter- 9 months).

My Hero or Heroes:
My parents – especially now that I’m a parent, I truly admire what they’ve done for their family.

My Escape:
The lake or a hot shower.

My Pet Peeve:
Over-promising and under-delivering.

My Indulgence:
Working a puzzle and napping.

My Roots:
Grounded in family and servanthood.

My Future:
Exciting, hectic, full of love and new experiences.

My Favorite Quote:
Work hard and be nice to people.

My Accessory:
Used to be necklaces before my baby came along 😊

My advice to Young Women:
Decide what you want and go after it. Don’t wait for the opportunities to present themselves first.

How I Balance it All:
Focus on what matters most and leverage my tribe of people.

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:
Keri Forney

My Current Job/Company:
Talent Business Partner / CAREER Consulting, Coaching, and Connections

My Work:
~ Career Consulting
~ Leadership Coaching and Team Building
~ Facilitating Meetings, Interviews, and Connections

My Passion:
Positive promoter of people pursuing purpose.

My Family:
My husband Bryan (married for over 20 years) and our children (Andrew and Hope).

My Hero or Heroes:
Bryan Forney and the incredible team of people at Focus on Youth who are making a difference in the lives of children and families every day. http://www.focusonyouth.com/

My Escape:
Creativity / Planning / Organizing / Traveling / Exploring

My Pet Peeve:
Clutter and chaos.

My Indulgence:
A day spent shopping, at a spa, or on vacation with family and friends.

My Roots:
Faith, family, and friends – Growing a garden of grace and gratitude.

My Future:
~ Dreaming, Investing, Believing, Assessing, Building, Creating, Pursuing, Celebrating, Next
~ Encouraging . . . throughout the JOB (Journey of Belief) search process
~ Inspiring People / Inspiring People

My Favorite Quote:
“Happiness is the joy you feel moving toward your potential.” – Shawn Achor

My Accessory:
The “Keri Sandal” at Talbots. My beautiful friend Leslie Perry is a fabulous fashion designer with a flair for footwear.
https://www.talbots.com https://lnkd.in/gX4EEAG

My advice to Young Women:
Develop and invest in relationships. Seek mentors and the opportunity to mentor others. Take time to honor and celebrate the special people you are blessed to know. Express love and gratitude generously.

How I Balance it All:
Taking a TEAM (Teach, Empower, Appreciate, and Mentor) approach at work and home – knowing as a TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More). By recognizing and leveraging the strengths and potential of those around me, I am able to accomplish much more than I ever could on my own.

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:
Amber Peters

My Current Job/Company:
Program Director/Nationwide Retirement Solutions

My Work:
I lead and coach a team of representatives, who provide retirement education, to help people prepare for and live in retirement.

My Passion:
My family, my friends and my work.

My Family:
Jon (wonderfully supportive and present husband), Owen (empathetic and loving son – 6), and Theo (rambunctious and loving son – 4).

My Hero or Heroes:
I believe in everyday heroes who are kind and generous and giving of themselves selflessly.

My Escape:
The couch with my husband watching Netflix.

My Pet Peeve:
Poor work ethic and inconsiderate people.

My Indulgence:
A delicious steak dinner.

My Roots:
Working class and hard working. An idyllic childhood with a loving family and great friends.

My Future:
Trending in the right direction! Bright, with a lot of exciting and challenging opportunities.

My Favorite Quote:
“There is enough sun to shine on everyone.” (Recently heard.)

My Accessory:
A smile.

My advice to Young Women:
Look for opportunities that seem out of reach. Never be afraid to try and fail. Surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth, even when you don’t want to hear it, and who will speak highly of you, even when you’re not around.

How I Balance it All:
I have an incredible support system and an understanding family!

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:
Erin Davis Shedd

My Current Job/Company:
System Vice President and Associate General Counsel, OhioHealth

My Work:
I solve complex legal issues for OhioHealth, a health system, comprised of 10 hospitals, numerous physician practices, urgent cares, home health, hospice and other provider entities serving patients in Ohio. I am responsible for a legal team that provides all of the legal support for OhioHealth Grant Medical Center, OhioHealth Grove City Methodist Hospital, our home care and hospice business, our marketing department, our freestanding ED network, OhioHealth Employer Services and the OhioHealth Foundation.

My Passion:
Music, friends, food.

My Family:
David (my husband, an attorney and musician who makes me laugh every day), Liliana (my free-spirited, fun, joyful 8-year-old daughter), and Brendan (my sweet, funny, loving 4-year-old son).

My Hero or Heroes:
Jim Henson: He inspired us all to find the joy of imagination.
Ruth Bader Ginsberg: She reminds me to use my voice and strength to evoke change in the world.

My Escape:
Music. My husband and I met because we were in a band together. I was the singer, and I still miss that part of my life so I sing in my car and with my family.

My Pet Peeve:
Greed and misuse of quotation marks.

My Indulgence:
Massage. Regular massages are an investment in my overall health.

My Roots:
I grew up in Arkansas, the daughter of four amazing parents. My southern accent still comes out from time-to-time.

My Future:
Continuing to enjoy my very full, fun life and ending each day with a smile.

My Favorite Quote:
“Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh.” –W.H. Auden

My Accessory:
Interesting earrings.

My advice to Young Women:
Stop being afraid. Live and work passionately—show the world YOU.

How I Balance it All:
I try to keep my email inbox clean and to be loyal to my calendar. I am agile when needed (and that is most days). I take time for me and for my family. Recognizing that our lives are not just lived on the weekend and when we are on vacation, I try to find joy in the chaos of everyday life.

Our Women of the Week have so much to offer…including great advice for young women!

Kristina Steucher
You can do what others tell you that you can’t. Sit at the table — you belong there.

Kristen Scott
Stay humble, support each other and learn from everyone you meet.

Emily Buster
You are worthy and you belong!

Evelyn Sullen Smith
All setbacks are finite, both in duration and scope, so keep going!