Here at Executive Elements, we like to introduce you to 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 people who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

Vicki Bowen Hewes

My Current Job/Company:
CEO/Dress for Success Columbus

My Birthdate:
01.27.1966

My Work:
I help women in vulnerable circumstances regain their dignity and have the courage to achieve their potential. It’s inspirational to witness women blossom and become who they were born to be!

My Passion:
My faith, my family, my Dress ‘sisters,’ social change.

My Family:
Ken (Incredible Husband), Davey (Intuitive and artistic son- 14), Buck (Black Terrier-mix Adopted from Franklin County Dog Shelter – 2 1/2)

My Heroes:
My dad – works harder and has more integrity than anyone else I’ve ever known. My mom – quiet courage; a breast cancer survivor. The women we serve who have endured so much and remain dedicated to accomplishing their goals.

My Escape:
Bikram Hot Yoga! I aim for 3 times a week – usually get there twice!

My Pet Peeve:
People who encounter a road block and stop – it’s just a detour! Find the alternate route. It might not be on the map, but if you want to, you’ll find your way, and the adventure is enlightening.

My Indulgence:
Shoes (shoes, and more shoes!). And an extra-dirty vodka martini with blue cheese olives.

My Roots:
Pittsburgh! My parents are very grounded and down-to-earth. We were raised with lots of chores, and taught to treat everyone with respect, no matter their background or current station in life.

My Future:
Adventurous. Busy. Enlightening.

My Quote on Life:
“A dream doesn’t become a reality by magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work”
– Colin Powell

My Accessory:
Pearls. I wear some type of pearls – whether formal, freshwater, necklace or bracelet – every day.

My Advice to Young Women:
Think about your goals and trust your gut. Stay focused on what you want to achieve – know that it usually takes longer than expected. Have a dream with a deadline. If something is consistently not making progress, it’s time to reevaluate. Have a ‘Plan B’ (then C, then D…).

How I Balance it All:
I don’t know that balance it all! I try. My husband is a gem, and I’m actually trying to not check my email 11 PM-6 AM so I get enough sleep (as we’ve learned it’s so important!). Having everything on a schedule really helps me (even picking up drycleaning, etc).

Here at Executive Elements, we like to introduce you to 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 people who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

Michele Bertoia

My Current Job/Company:
Private Client Group Chief Administrative Officer/Huntington National Bank

My Birthdate:
08.17.67

My Work:
I bring order to chaos through the use of my change management skills and facilitate and support the ongoing activities of the segment.

My Passion:
My 3-pound Yorkie named Luci who is my heart!

My Family:
My parents, Mike and Lois, my brother Bob and his wife Angie, and my adorable 9 year niece Julie.

My Heroes:
People who live their life based on their needs and not how others think they should; people who help someone else simply because it’s the right thing to do.

My Escape:
Losing myself between the pages of a book.

My Pet Peeve:
People who complain and do nothing to solve their problem.

My Indulgence:
Ice cream, ice cream, ice cream

My Roots:
My upbringing taught me to respect the past and those who made my life possible and to be that driving force for those who follow after me.

My Future:
An everlasting adventure!

My Quote on Life:
“The wonderful thing about tiggers is tiggers are wonderful things. Their tops are made out of rubber. Their bottoms are made out of springs. They’re bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy fun, fun, fun, fun, fun. But the most wonderful thing about tiggers is I’m the only one. I’m the only one!” (Tigger the Tiger from Winnie the Pooh)

My Accessory:
A nice piece of jewelry.

My Advice to Young Women:
Live your life the way that brings you happiness and fulfillment. And never forget to DANCE!

How I Balance it All:
I try to wake up every day, be thankful for what I have, smile at the thought of what they day will bring and embrace the adventure that is about to unfold.

Here at Executive Elements, we like to introduce you to 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 people who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

Jocelyn Sperko

My Current Job/Company:
Leadership, People + Culture at Gerber, LLC

My Birthday:
11.12.1980

My Work:
In a nutshell, my job is to make sure our clients and our employees are happy. I do this by enriching the lives of our employees through wellness, culture, and benefits. And with our clients, that means deepening their experience through meaningful events, timely information, and useful technology.

My Passion:
Family, friends, making others laugh and smile, contributing positively to someone else’s day, traveling and experiencing as much of this crazy, beautiful world as possible!

My Family:
My Dad (who has taught me to work hard, do what’s right and, above all else, have fun), my three brothers (who ‘toughened’ me up as a kid), my sister-in-law, plus three nieces (who I spoil immensely) my two rescue pups (professional snugglers and full time fur bags) and a close circle of incredible friends

My Heroes:
My parents, hands down. They worked hard to provide my brothers and me with an amazingly rich and fulfilling childhood. They taught us a foundation of values but let us think for ourselves. We were never told what to do with our lives but were taught to support and take care of ourselves – it didn’t matter what we wanted to be when we grew up, as long as we were happy. My parents set the bar really high for what it means to be a spouse, a parent, a family, a friend.

My Escape:
Laying around with a good book, watching the sunset (or rise) from a beach or mountain-top

My Pet Peeve:
Pessimism, entitlement, not taking responsibility or ownership for your actions

My Indulgence:
Pizza. And a perfectly mixed Manhattan (with the ‘good’ cherries, of course).

My Roots:
Humble. Family-oriented. Jovial.

My Future:
Exciting. Fulfilling. Adventurous. Purposeful.

My Quote on Life:
“Happiness depends upon ourselves” (Aristotle)

My Accessory:
Fall, winter, spring: my beanie. Summer: a turquoise cuff that belonged to my mom…it makes me think of her, which makes me smile J

My Advice to Young Women:
Don’t take life too seriously, it’s meant to be one big adventure. Work hard for what you believe in and put your best foot forward…but don’t forget to have plenty of fun along the way!

How I Balance it All:
Balancing everything implies that one part of my life must give for another to take. So I think of it more as “finding balance” or making sure all parts of my life work together in harmony. I make time for the things that are important to me and I have learned to say “no” to the things that aren’t. I don’t hesitate to put a workout or lunch with a friend on the office calendar – it means I’m not available for an hour or two – but the needed escape ensures I can give 110% when I am back at the office.