Woman of the Week – Heather Carlisle

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:
Heather Carlisle

My Current Job/Company:
Director, Content and Business Development at OCLC

My Work:
Working throughout our organization and our industry to serve libraries. “Because what is known must be shared.” (sm)

My Passion:
My son, learning new things, meeting new people, travel/adventure/exploring.

My Family:
Rob (my husband), Christopher (my 9 year old awesome kid), Miranda (my 22 year old girl I mentor – for 17 years), Ben (Miranda’s husband and Chris’s nanny for the summer), but really, everybody…if you are a friend and part of my community, you are family to me.

My Hero or Heroes:
My mentors (Margaret Cook and Bob Kington) and my mom (78 year old stroke survivor and one of the first female superintendents in Ohio).

My Escape:
Vacation – exploring the world. I’ve been to all 7 continents and all 50 states. So much to see and do.

My Pet Peeve:
Being late and saying you will do something and you don’t…don’t tell me…SHOW ME!

My Indulgence:
Anything with my son and spending time with friends.

My Roots:
My community of family and friends I have met along the way and all of my experiences.

My Future:
Filled with opportunities to meet people, participate in educating kids and driving teams that I work with to do the impossible!

My Favorite Quote:
“My interest is in the future, as I am going to spend the rest of my life there.”

My Accessory:
My pockets. They are usually filled with whatever I need.

My advice to Young Women:
Don’t be afraid to prioritize yourself and what you want…no one else will.

How I Balance it All:
Lots of organization and lots of help…and I’m not afraid to ask for it!

Woman of the Week – Payal Thakur

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:
Payal Thakur

My Current Job/Company:
Role – Executive head/lead for Enterprise BI for DAS, State of Ohio
Title – Enterprise Business Intelligence (BI) Service Owner, OIT DAS State of Ohio

My Current Work:
We help Ohio’s leaders, across 120 agencies in varied fields make informed business decisions based on high quality reporting and data analytics. As an executive head of Business Intelligence (BI), I help provide direction to the overall BI strategy, promote adoption of best practices, governance, transparency and lead BI teams to deliver timely solutions. I do this with a lot of support from some outstanding people.

My past work
Finance, Accounting, IT and Business Intelligence, and Management.

My Passion:
My Work, my daughter, my desire to make today better than yesterday.

My Family:
Loving Parents, supportive spouse and an amazing daughter (my smart and kind Tanisha).

My Hero or Heroes:
My parents. They are simply the BEST in the entire world. However, I do look up to many other male and female heroes throughout world history.

My Escape:
Travel enriches me.

My Pet Peeve:
Few people with a constant negative attitude.

My Indulgence:
Cooking.

My Roots:
Humble. Happy. Multicultural.

My Education:
Bachelors in Psychology Honors, with Economics and Statistics.
MCA equivalent in Computer Centered Applications, National Institute of Information Technology
MBA, Masters in Business Administration, Franklin University, Ohio
COFP, Certified Ohio Financial Professional, Fiscal Academy, State of Ohio

My Future:
Brighter every day 😊.

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:
My Smile.

My advice to Young Women:
Believe in yourself and Stand up for those who need you.

How I Balance it All:
I am a go-getter and I pursue my goals with – Passion, Planning, Poise and People!

Woman of the Week – Renae Scott

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:
Renae Scott

My Current Job/Company:
Marketing & Communications Director / JobsOhio

My Work:
I market Ohio and JobsOhio to the world to encourage economic development in the state, ultimately bringing jobs to Ohioans.

My Passion:
Jesus – Our savior, my family, my pets, being kind.

My Family:
My husband and a menagerie of pets led by Graham & Gracie, our golden doodles.

My Hero or Heroes:
My parents. Barbara Bush.

My Escape:
Time on our boat or a beach with my husband or loved ones.

My Pet Peeve:
Laziness

My Indulgence:
The spa.

My Roots:
Modest, blue collar. Happy. Surrounded by hardworking parents.

My Future:
Balanced and purposeful. Genuine.

My Favorite Quote:
I have so many favorites!
“Laughter is timeless, imagination has no age, and dreams are forever.” ~ Walt Disney

My Accessory:
Handbags, sunglasses and a smile.

My advice to Young Women:
Be you. No one can do it for you.

Woman of the Week – Sharon J. Tucker, PhD, RN, FAAN

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 Work:
I am a nurse scientist and behavior change expert who aims to advance health and wellness through inspiring and motivating behavior change. I study, teach, speak and coach on health promoting interventions.

My Passion:
Health and wellness, physical activity, relationships and connectedness.

My Family:
Daryl (Caring Husband), Megan (Minimalist, NonJudging Daughter- 21) and Abbigail (Social, Radiant Daughter – 18).

My Hero or Heroes:
Enlightened people who are able to be present in every encounter and offer love to each person.

My Escape:
The ocean, sun and a breeze with family and friends. Plus, meditation and journaling.

My Pet Peeve:
Lack of awareness and appreciation for the gift of walking, and frequent judging we all do without thinking.

My Indulgence:
Ice cream, craft beer.

My Roots:
Strong work ethic, faith, family, and togetherness/socializing.

My Future:
Growth, boldness and time with prayer, family and friends. And lots of sunshine!

My Favorite Quote:
One of my favorite quotes is “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” (Wayne Dyer)

My Accessory:
Bracelets, rings and activity monitor. Shawls too!

My advice to Young Women:
Find a purpose, love the journey and honor who you are, not how you look.

How I Balance it All:
Some days, poorly! But, each day my mantra is to celebrate self-awareness and continue on my journey to accept and honor myself, my passions, my family and others without judgement, approval and comparisons.

Woman of the Week – Jill Murphey

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:
Jill Murphey

My Current Job/Company:
Assistant General Counsel/OCLC

My Work:
I further the sharing of information globally, through drafting and negotiating software license and content agreements.

My Passion:
Helping others succeed.

My Family:
Bryan (Crazy, fun husband and football coach) and Everett (active, high-energy 2 yr old son).

My Hero or Heroes:
RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg). She did it all and broke numerous glass ceilings on her way to SCOTUS.

My Escape:
A warm, sunny afternoon on a patio.

My Pet Peeve:
Stopping abruptly in the middle of a walkway

My Indulgence:
Bourbon.

My Roots:
Faithful and strong parents and sisters. Born and Raised in C-bus!

My Future:
Bright with the success of a career and the blessings of friends and family.

My Favorite Quote:
Labels are a poor substitute for careful consideration and careful analysis.
-Justice Sonia Sotomayor

My Accessory:
Scarf.

My advice to Young Women:
Be your own best advocate. Know what you want and don’t be afraid to ask for it.

How I Balance it All:
Organization, and supportive family and friends that are always willing to lend a hand.

Woman of the Week – Margaret Meyer

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:
Margaret Meyer

My Current Job/Company:
Senior Consultant – Tableau Solution Lead/Navigator Management Partners

My Work:
Supporting clients in leveraging the power of their data

My Passion:
An early morning run with great friends.

My Family:
Evan (husband), Henry (4), Calvin (2), Everett (0).

My Hero or Heroes:
My Grandma Meyer. Still as beautiful as ever at 86; Has never missed the opportunity to crack a joke in her life.

My Escape:
Listening to podcasts (a couple favorites include: StartUp, Criminal, and Invisibilia).

My Pet Peeve:
Assuming the worst. Chose to assume the best in people, situations, intentions – you will almost always be right.

My Indulgence:
Decaf Coffee (lots and lots of decaf coffee:)).

My Roots:
Small town where friends, family, and frugality were abundant. Fun fact that my mom is one of 12 children in her family – so family gatherings are exciting to say the least.

My Future:
Crushing bucket list items with my four boys.

My Favorite Quote:
“Don’t be a drag just be a Queen” ~Lady Gaga

My Accessory:
A fit bit, smile, and pony tail.

My advice to Young Women:
Dream big. Sit at the table. Overpay your babysitters.

How I Balance it All:
Yearly, monthly, and daily to-do lists. And a husband that believes in me.:)

Woman of the Week – Erin Duncan

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 Duncan

My Current Job/Company:
Product Marketing Manager at OCLC

My Work:
I work closely with the product, sales, and marketing organizations to describe and promote our products and services to our library members.

My Passions:
Gender equality, marketing, photography and tennis.

My Hero or Heroes:
My mom, LuAnn Williams (talented artist and amazing mom who raised 4 kids by herself); Glennon Doyle (author and community activist).

My Escape:
Playing tennis, hiking, music (live or playing loud in my car with the windows down!).

My Pet Peeve:
Apologizing for things that need no apology, not saying “God Bless You” when people sneeze.

My Indulgence:
Travel and live music.

My Roots:
I grew up on the east coast in a small town near Philadelphia with my mom, two brothers, a sister and a dachshund named Fritzy; attended an all-women’s college.

My Future:
Limitless.

My Favorite Quote:
“The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

My Accessory:
Anything purple and fun earrings, sometimes that don’t match.

My advice to Young Women:
Listen to the small voice inside you, not what the world tells you to be and do. You are enough right now in this moment; both a masterpiece and a work in progress.

How I Balance it All:
Recognizing that everything I do is a choice, and I have the power to make my days include what I want.

Woman of the Week – Brittany Grote

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:
Brittany Metoyer Grote

My Current Job/Company:
Marketing Manager/Abbott

My Work:
I empower others to think beyond the status-quo and continue to raise the bar. We have fun creating an optimistic user experience for our consumers, while over-delivering business results.

My Passion:
family, friends, laughter, and empowerment

My Family:
Justin (partner in crime), Camille (small trailblazer – 3), Robert (ornery energizer – 1), and Pepper (the family crumb-snatching dog – 4)

My Hero or Heroes:
My mom and dad – my advocates, my strength, my guides, my friends!

My Escape:
Beautiful scenery with beautiful people.

My Pet Peeve:
Lack of accountability and poor table manners.

My Indulgence:
Wine and live music.

My Roots:
Family first. Honest. Work hard, play harder.

My Future:
Limitless and full of love.

My Favorite Quote:
“Good, better, best. Don’t let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best.” – St. Jerome

My Accessory:
Fun glasses.

My advice to Young Women:
Don’t be too hard on yourself. We’re meant to be different; embrace what makes you unique.

How I Balance it All:
I’m still redefining “balance” for me, but I recognize I can’t make the magic happen without help and a good to-do list.

Woman of the Week – Sheila Aekins

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:
Sheila Aekins

My Current Job/Company:
Director, Human Resources / JobsOhio

My Work:
I am a Human Resources professional focused on connecting organizations with human capital in order to create a positive, productive and successful work environment.

My Passion:
Faith, Family, Friends and actively engaging in activities that encourage and motivate others.

My Family:
I am the proud mother to Yasmine, my 14 year old daughter who is spirited and beautiful inside and out. Yasmine would never let me live down not mentioning my “grandchild” Coconut (our two year old Cavachon who thinks she is a person and not a dog 😊).

My Hero or Heroes:
My mother, Juanita Lumpkin. She has taught me how to be resilient, stay grounded in Faith, reach for the stars, respect others, learn from my mistakes as well as others and how to be the best mother possible while remaining true to myself.

My Escape:
Doing fun things with Yasmine (Just Dance, movies, travel, etc.), Girls Night Out (GNO), watching good sitcoms or comedians (laughing and relaxing).

My Pet Peeve:
People who misrepresent or fail to provide all the facts/information necessary to make the best decision because they are more focused on their own objects vs achieving the best decision, idea or solution overall.

My Indulgence:
Starbucks (Is it bad when the baristas responds “Hi Sheila” at three Starbucks after they hear my order at the drive thru?).

My Roots:
Strong work ethic (work hard to earn whatever you want vs waiting for it to be given to you), Gratitude/Appreciation (value and appreciate those who feed into your life, they didn’t have to share the lessons, training or experience that enable me to avoid some of life’s pitfalls), Family and Faith (It was those who came before me and their love/prayers/blessings that create the strong foundation I continue to build on to be the best mother, professional, friend…)

My Future:
Positive, bright, and exciting.

My Favorite Quote:
I have two:
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

My Accessory:
Sunglasses and jewelry.

My advice to Young Women:
You can learn from everyone, regardless of their age, background or experience. Those younger than you have learned the newest way, those older have learned how to avoid pitfalls, those with different backgrounds may have a creative perspective. Stay open to seeing the world and all the colors and variety it offers.

How I Balance it All:
Setting priorities (keeping top of mind what is really important), focusing on my goals, remembering that communication with those close to me is important and there is nothing wrong with asking for help when needed.

Woman of the Week – Kathy Grasz

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:
Kathryn Grasz

My Current Job/Company:
President & CEO / Wyandot Chamber of Commerce

My Work:
We develop and support resources for local businesses and community economic development. We offer business seminars/savings programs/marketing efforts to promote our region. I believe successful businesses can be found anywhere and our local community has the trifecta of success – Opportunity/Workforce/Ingenuity.

My Passion:
Nurturing dreams into reality.

My Family:
Rex (my gift from God), Montana and Gabe (my reason for living) and Lucy (our loyal labrador, my joy).

My Hero or Heroes:
Rosa Parks: An ordinary woman of modest means that stood up (or sat down) for her beliefs and made a real difference in the world.
Shannon Mulholland: Fierce Fitness by Shannon. Shannon took her personal passion and created a business of helping & celebrating others reach goals while continuously developing higher aspirations for herself and her family

My Escape:
With Rex (and Lucy) by the water.

My Pet Peeve:
People being mean to others or animals.

My Indulgence:
Quality sheets and wonderful perfume.

My Roots:
Forever rooted in agriculture. My childhood gave me a solid appreciation for a hard days work and the joy of watching God’s earth bloom.

My Future:
A journey full of hope and amazing surprises.

My Favorite Quote:
Success begins today, not tomorrow – Go For It. My High School Class Motto.

My Accessory:
My wedding band and my Fitbit.

My advice to Young Women:
Be yourself, BE FEARLESS and live with passion.

How I Balance it All:
I am not afraid to fail, very eager to learn and can usually laugh at myself.