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:
Lavanya Myneni

My Current Job/Company:
IT Manager/American Electric Power

My Birthday:
08.01.1980

My Work:
I manage two enterprise level business applications for AEP. I have two great teams and with their help, we strive to provide high quality effective IT solutions.

My Passion:
My family and my work.

My Family:
Sumant (my truth teller and supportive Husband), Rhea (amazing daughter- 7) and Rohan (apple of my eye son – 2).

My Hero or Heroes:
My parents (Siva and Indira Myneni).

My Escape:
White sand beaches or an escape into the mountains.

My Pet Peeve:
People who complain and never provide solutions.

My Indulgence:
Food and wine.

My Roots:
My family and friends. Hardworking. Humble.

My Future:
Busy and still doing something I absolutely love.

My Favorite Quote:
“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.”
~Chris Grosser

My Accessory:
Fancy hand bags and my phone.

My advice to Young Women:
Education and skill is not all you need. Attitude is a little thing that will make a big difference.

How I Balance it All:
Plan, prioritize, action. And with a lot of support from 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:
Mindi Wells

My Current Job/Company:
Business Advisor & Attorney/ Wells Law – Columbus & Lima
Adjunct teacher of employment law at Capital and Ohio Dominican

My Work:
I solve problems for small businesses. It is my job to help them navigate business and legal issues so they can focus on what they’re passionate about and good at doing. My clients appreciate my practical, no-nonsense business approach to advising, counseling and training them on workplace legal issues – delivered with a bit of humor.

I take my work seriously, but try not to take myself too seriously.

My Passion:
To build a life that I don’t need a vacation from and can be summed up as well-lived. There are so many places to see, people to meet and things to do! Faith and family are extremely important and impactful in my life.

My Family:
One canine companion – Cammy, a 2 1/2 year old miniature Australian labradoodle who has more attitude packed into her 25-pound being than many people I know! My immediate family resides in Allen County where we welcomed over 50 foster children and a dozen international exchange students.

My Hero or Heroes:
Queen Esther from the Bible. She was an ordinary woman who exhibited leadership under the most difficult of circumstances and her example of commitment, priorities and faith inspired me in the 5th grade and still inspire me today.

My Escape:
Cruising with the top down on the Jeep Wrangler with Kenny Chesney blasting from the soundbar – it doesn’t get any better than that!

My Pet Peeve:
Cracking knuckles. Socks with sandals.

My Indulgence:
Cheese – in pretty much any form.

My Roots:
First generation college graduate raised with a passion for working hard, seeing the world, and volunteering.

Born and raised on a farm in northwest Ohio, closest town had a population of 300. My parents still live in the house they built themselves and where we were raised. Childhood filled with 4-H, summer softball, Bible school, camping at Indian Lake, and family vacations all over the U.S. in the Coachmen camper (think Chevy Chase-style family vacations!).

My Future:
Stay tuned. Kind of like a choose your own adventure. Never know what the next chapter of “Mindi’s Excellent Adventure” will hold!

My Favorite Quote:
“Money is money; time is wealth.”
~Stephen Swid, businessman and investor

My Accessory:
Lipstick. A watch. And cute shoes.

My advice to Young Women:
Some of the most difficult times will someday be looked back upon as a blessing in your life; they show you who you are and what you are truly capable of doing and being. Be persistent, have faith and surround yourself with people who have your back – but above all – DO NOT GIVE UP.

How I Balance it All:
I always have a list going and my calendar on my desk. It took me years to figure out the key to balance was learning how to say no and not feel guilty about it.

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:
Katie Baylor Tornow

My Current Job/Company:
Director of Finance & Operations/The Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE)

My Birthday:
06.30.1983

My Work:
I oversee the operational management of the organization and act as an advisor to the Executive Director. I am deeply committed to the mission at AFCPE in which we ensure the highest level of knowledge, skill and integrity of the personal finance profession by certifying and connecting professionals worldwide.

My Passion:
My family and my work.

My Family:
Mark (supportive husband), Baylor (caring daughter – 3) and Archer (huggable son – 16 Months).

My Hero or Heroes:
My grandparents. Hardworking, humble, giving and loving.

My Escape:
A good workout.

My Pet Peeve:
Going against your word.

My Indulgence:
Wine.

My Roots:
Ohio raised by a hardworking and loving family.

My Future:
Growth and openness.

My Favorite Quote:
“Today me will live in the moment unless it’s unpleasant in which case me will eat a cookie.”
~Cookie Monster.

Being present and living in the moment is something many of us strive for in life. But we all know life can happen and one must extend grace to one’s self!

My Accessory:
Smart watch.

My advice to Young Women:
We all get derailed or off course. The ability to get back on course is when true growth happens as a person.

How I Balance it All:
Self Journal: Set Targets/Priorities for the day, block time for every detail and extend my gratitude.

Every now and then we like to pause from introducing you to a new Woman of the Week, so that we can reflect on the valuable advice our past honorees have shared. We are proud that our Women of the Week pay it forward in many ways, including by sharing a bit of advice with younger women. We find their words of wisdom to be beneficial and we hope that you will, too!

Marissa Michaels
Journal (writing it down helps to sort through the tough stuff), develop a wide network of girlfriends (those gal pals will be the best form of therapy you will ever have), and always have a set of written goals (make sure some of them help you stretch).

Dee Dee Chadwick
Be yourself, trust your instincts, and if you don’t have anything nice to say then don’t say anything at all.

Margaret Strotman
Yesterday is not ours to recover, but tomorrow is ours to win or lose.
-Lyndon B. Johnson

Katie Carter
Love what you do! Take chances and be yourself.

Jane Jamison
Don’t under estimate the power of connecting and building meaningful relationships both personally and professionally.

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:
Michelle Montgomery

My Current Job/Company:
Executive Recruiter – Partner / Circle Line Partners

My Work:
I am so lucky. I talk to people for a living! Our company, Circle Line Partners, provides comprehensive search, recruiting, hiring, and on-boarding solutions. We build deep relationships with our clients in order to help them attract, hire & retain the talent they need to continue their success!

My Passion:
Creating a life that is flexible, fulfilling & connected.

My Family:
Ian (husband of 13 years), Daughters Finn (10) & Rory (6), Sons Beckett (8) & Cormac (3).

My Hero or Heroes:
My parents – who opened so many doors for me and gave me the courage to walk through them!

My Escape:
Home to my husband’s country of Ireland. Family, friends and the pub!

My Pet Peeve:
Small mindedness.

My Indulgence:
Wine. Chocolate. Little kid movie nights with lots of buttered popcorn.

My Roots:
Here in Central Ohio. I spent my 20’s living in Europe. Now I love taking my kids to my elementary school!

My Future:
Open to opportunity. I’ve learned not to plan too far ahead – you never know what’s around the corner.

My Favorite Quote:
“Transparency, honesty, kindness, good stewardship, even humor, work in businesses at all times.” – John Gerzema
I have found this to be true!

My Accessory:
My phone (which makes my life work!), my 3 year old & a smile!

My advice to Young Women:
Dig deep & learn lots of things. It’s possible to create the life you’re dreaming of, but you need to be willing to put in the work to get there.

How I Balance it All:
Detailed scheduling, a good to-do list and a strong daily sense of purpose! And Coffee.