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 Mitchell

My Current Job/Company:
Communications Manager at The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio

My Birthday:
05.13.88

My Work:
As part of The Women’s Fund team I am committed to working towards building the capacity of the organization, expanding our reach in the community, and engaging an audience invested in social change. We strive to connect and engage all voices and my position helps make that happen. From our grant partners to donors to volunteers to the staff and Board, I create a space where all stories and voices are heard to create gender equality and community change.

My Passion:
People…we are the average of who we surround ourselves with so I choose to be around those that inspire passion in my life while also challenging me to be more of myself.

My Family:
My parents (Brad and Marianne), my sister and brother-in-law (Heather and Adrian), my energetic and incredible nephew and niece (Oliver and Zoe), my pessimistic looking pup (but I promise she’s happy) dear Prudence. Family is the core of who I am; it’s because of their believing in me since day one that I have had the confidence to grow a network of friends and mentors invested in me as well.

My Hero or Heroes:
Marianne Mitchell (aka my mom)- she is by far the strongest woman I have ever met, not just for herself but for those around her. There was a time in my life that she fought for me before I knew how to fight for myself, and for that I will be forever grateful. She has always put others first and raised us to do the same. Her authenticity, honesty, and integrity are traits I will never stop hoping to reflect.

My Escape:
Travel and reading- ideally both at the same time, but when time doesn’t allow for a trip a good book is the best escape. My parents always encouraged and emphasized reading when I was growing up and that passion has stayed with me over the years.

My Pet Peeve:
Rudeness- I never think there’s a reason to be rude and it bothers me when I witness others acting that way. I always try and overcompensate. Also, two spaces after a period (don’t get me started on this one…).

My Indulgence:
What some would call terrible TV.

My Roots:
Family – the Mitchell core 4.

My Future:
Always remains open.

My Favorite Quote:
“When something goes wrong in life just yell ‘plot twist!’ and move on.”

My Accessory:
Words…I have a small obsession with quotes (friends would probably say it’s more of a large addiction), I am constantly pinning them online and printing them for my office and apartment. Some of my favorite gifts have been silver bracelets with quotes engraved around them that I wear nearly every day. They are reminders on a daily basis of different people in my life as well as words I try to live by.

My dog Pru is a close second because in a lot of ways she is my shadow and picks up a lot of my personality.

My advice to Young Women:
Never stop challenging who you are in order to become who you want to be; strive to constantly be a work in progress.

How I Balance it All:
Honestly, I don’t always. And, there’s grace in letting go of the need to do so. I recently recognized that at this chapter in my life I won’t be able to constantly make everything work and everyone can’t fit in my schedule, but releasing the pressure to make this all happen has led to a greater alignment. It all starts with self-forgiveness and patience with my own expectations… coffee and owning my schedule help too.

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:
Andrea Eckhardt

My Current Job/Company:
Director of School & Summer Nutrition/Children’s Hunger Alliance

My Birthday:
09.19.1978

My Work:
Children’s Hunger Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that children without access receive healthy food, nutrition education and physical activity. I increase access to the School Breakfast Program and the Summer Nutrition Programs to help set the conditions right for all students to start school ready to learn.

My Passion:
Being a part of the effort to close the achievement gap that separates low-income youth from their middle-income peers.

My Family:
Jeff (Supportive Husband), Levi (Super-Sweet Son, 7), Alec (Wildest Son, 3).

My Hero or Heroes:
Strong, empowered, and accomplished women in our history books.

My Escape:
Soaking up sun on a clear blue day while reading a good book!

My Pet Peeve:
Pharmaceutical commercials.

My Indulgence:
Soaking up too much sun on a clear blue day while reading a good book! 🙂

My Roots:
My old stomping grounds are in Eastern and Central Kentucky.

My Future:
Full of possibility. Exciting!

My Favorite Quote:
“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” (Antoine de Saint Exupéry, The Little Prince)

My Accessory:
My laptop.

My advice to Young Women:
If you want to pursue a career, but also want to raise a family, even though doing both together is extremely challenging, my advice is to go for it.

How I Balance it All:
I plan months ahead for key family and work events.

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:
Karen Rizzo

My Current Job/Company:
Manager of Customer Experience/IGS Energy

My Birthday:
07.28.62

My Work:
I am the Solutions Center liaison for all Emerging Business units, specializing in relationship building. I develop strategies and advocate for long term solutions that meet business and Customer expectations. In addition, I lead the Customer Experience team. Our focus is to review customer interactions and provide meaningful feedback that promotes an optimal Customer Experience and employee development.

My Passion:
My family & helping others to understand the value they bring in both their personal and professional lives.

My Family:
Bob (soulmate & best friend, my husband), Tyler (talented son – 19), Brian (successful son – 26), Katie (sweetest daughter-in-law, married to Brian), Belle – (lovable grand dog)

My Hero or Heroes: 
My grandmother and son Tyler – both are two of the strongest and bravest people I will ever know.

My Escape:
Laughing and spending time with my fabulous family. Love them so much.

My Pet Peeve:
Injustice.

My Indulgence:
Nail polish and ice cream.

My Roots:
Native New Yorker. Passionate, hard working family filled with laughter and strong convictions.

My Future:
Hopeful. Happy. Successful. Love and family.

My Favorite Quote:
“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” – Dr. Seuss

My Accessory:
Bangs. Eyeglasses. Polished nails. Genuine interest in getting to know you.

My advice to Young Women:
Work hard to understand yourself. Be courageous. Believe.

How I Balance it All:
Self-reflect. Share my challenges with my family. Ask for help. Breathe.

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:
Lori Mahood

My Current Job/Company:
Business Systems Analyst Specialist Senior, American Electric Power

My Birthday:
08.05.1970

My Work:
At American Electric Power I  partner with business units across Corporate AEP to develop technology plans that align with business strategies. As a result, we develop prioritized multi-year forecasts and business cases to ensure proper utilization of budget in a fashion that ensures achievement of corporate goals.

My Passion:
Inspiring others (family, friends, teens, co-workers). Living with purpose.

My Family:
Robert (husband of 25 years), Katie (newly engaged oldest), Karleigh (courageous and driven teen), and Trace (athletic pre-teen)

My Hero or Heroes:
My father, who allowed me to be his shadow growing up and always worked very hard for our family while keeping a great sense of humor.

My Escape:
Running is my escape, especially when I take my dogs. It makes me feel powerful, successful and full of energy.

My Pet Peeve:
Negativity and the inability to seek joy in daily life.

My Indulgence:
Starbucks and buying exercise clothing and accessories.

My Roots:
My father was a coal miner and my mother was a stay-at-home mom who juggled side jobs that matched our school schedule. My sister and I were the first of our family to go to college. We were always encouraged to invest in an education to become self-reliant and independent.

My Future:
I look forward to a future where I am leading and inspiring people, and living life with integrity.

My Favorite Quote:
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
― Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning

My Accessory:
Fitbit Surge, I love that it tracks my health but also serves as a running watch.

My advice to Young Women:
Believe in yourself. Define your values and live by them.

How I Balance it All:
Making health a priority ensures stress management while allowing me to be a positive role model for my children. They see that I am able to work hard and play hard.

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:
Angela Hammond

My Current Job/Company:
Director of Convention Sales at Experience Columbus

My Birthday:
October 7, 1975

My Work:
I lead a team that pulls together the Columbus community to host meetings, conventions and tradeshows in our awesome city.

My Passion:
My faith, my family, my friends, my city.

My Family:
Troy (Incredible Husband) and Evan (Adorable Son-7).

My Hero or Heroes:
My parents. They taught me compassion, integrity and that if a job is worth doing, it is worth doing right.

My Escape:
Disney World with my husband & son. It is truly a magical place.

My Pet Peeve:
Whistling. It is like nails on a chalkboard to me.

My Indulgence:
Shopping!

My Roots:
I grew up in a small rural community in Ohio, where we knew everyone!

My Future:
Bright and full of joy!

My Favorite Quote:
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened!” – Dr. Seuss

My Accessory:
Jewelry – rings, watch, bracelets & earrings!

My advice to Young Women:
Lead your life with integrity, be confident and ask for what you want.

How I Balance it All:
Staying organized and relying on family & friends for support.