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 gals who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

Dina Tantra

My Current Job/Company:
Today I wear multiple hats, President/Trustee of Advisers Investment Trust, General Counsel of Beacon Hill Fund Services, Chief Compliance Officer of BHIL Distributors…I also pick up the mail, water the plants and take out the recycling. We’re a full service organization!

My Birthdate:
10/19/69

My Work:
Aligning with strategic partners, we manage and grow our clients’ mutual fund business so that they can focus their time and attention on what they do best – picking stocks and finding shareholders.

My Passion:
Strategic planning – a mixed blessing and a curse (ask my husband) as I’m always trying to think five steps ahead.

My Family:
My husband, Brian. In 1997 when I moved back to Columbus from Kansas City my girlfriend said, “You have to meet Brian Kolda, he’s the NICEST guy.” She was right. Next year we are celebrating our 10th anniversary.

My Hero:
My grandfather, who passed away in 1989. He told me to enjoy life to the fullest, but practice moderation.

My Escape:
Traveling with my husband, either exploring or simply going for a long bike ride.

My Pet Peeve:
People who are oblivious to any perspective except their own.

My Indulgence:
Travel with my family, because we have enough “stuff” and I would rather invest in experiences and memories which last a lifetime.

My Roots:
Having a trusted safety net which has afforded me to luxury of being able to take calculated risks along my life roadmap.

My Future:
This saying is framed on my wall, “She wasn’t where she had been. She wasn’t where she was going…..but she was on her way.”

My Quote on Life:
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost

My Accessory:
My pedometer. Every morning I wake up with an opportunity to hit my goal for the day and I wake up the next morning, hit the reset button, and start again with a clean slate.

My Advice to Young Women:
Identify your “genius” – the quadrant where high skill and high energy intersect, and spend your time in your area of genius. Know yourself well enough to know that if you are not there, be willing to take a risk to make a change.

How I Balance it All:
I view my life as a piechart and for every wedge that gets larger, the others get squeezed into smaller slices. Every once in awhile, step away, re-evaluate and make sure you make time for yourself. Continuous improvement requires investment in your soul.

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 gals who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

Jess Sparks

My Current Job/Company:
School and Clinical Counselor at Kae Avenue Elementary School
Council Director of Girls on the Run of Franklin County

My Birthdate:
7.30.79

My Work:
I provide short term mental health counseling and linkage to community resources to students and families of Kae Avenue Elementary to eliminate non-academic barriers to educational success. I also serve and lead the volunteers, girls/families, and supporters of Girls on the Run of Franklin County in fulfilling our mission of inspiring girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experienced-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

My Passion:
Serving others: my family, my community, humanity.

My Family:
Chris, my soulmate. Our “family” also includes 4 siblings, “inlaws” or as we like to call them “outlaws,” and 8 nieces and nephews.

My Heroes:
All of the amazing women and men who have mentored me (parents, relatives, teachers, coaches, and formal mentors). They have always guided me and challenged me to go in the direction that allowed me to learn from my mistakes and take pride in my hard work.

My Escape:
Water, mountains, trees, where I can run, hike, kayak, scramble, or just be. Favorite quote by Rachel Carson,”Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”

My Pet Peeve:
Plastic grocery bags and inauthentic people.

My Indulgence:
Dark Chocolate and OYO cocktails.

My Roots:
Modest servant to those around me, especially the most vulnerable; children. Raised on hard work and high expectations. Mischievous shenanigans perpetuating happiness to friends and family.

My Future:
Wide open to possibilities not even imagined yet.

My Love:
The shared dedication based in our love for each other that I have with my husband to improve the lives of children, by making the time they spend with us as leaders/teachers, aunt and uncle, and people in the community the best time they have in a day.

My Quote on Life:
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
-Marianne Williamsen

My Accessory:
Pearl studs every day, everywhere.

My Advice to Young Women:
Write advice letters to yourself and follow your own path! Take time and space away from relationships that cause you to make unhealthy choices for yourself. Do whatever you can to expand on your self awareness, i.e. meditation, yoga, counseling, which will allow you to fulfill your potential.

How I Balance it All:
A deep and profound love of organization and technology. Work smarter not harder so that you can accomplish the really important stuff!

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 gals who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

JJ DiGeronimo

My Current Job/Company:
President of Purposeful Woman and Tech Savvy Women

My Birthdate:
January 29, 1973

My Work:
I am a motivational speaker, author, entrepreneur and advocate for women. I provide Proven and Practical Leadership Strategies for High Impact Women to effectively prioritize, align and achieve their individualized goals. I have authored the highly sought-after books for women, “The Working Woman’s GPS,” and “Before You Say Yes” (e-book). I have also co-authored, “The Confident Woman, Tapping into Your Inner Power.” I participate in events globally for women leaders, women in technology, women entrepreneurs and young women in Science Technology Engineering and Math (S.T.E.M.).

My Passion:
My family, faith, friends and life’s work.

My Family:
Rob (Life Partner and Husband), two beautiful, kind and purposeful children and my dog.

My Heroes:
The women before me that have endured scrutiny, pain, separation and sometimes torture to grant women additional rights. I am very grateful for their tenacity, sacrifices and passion to empower and elevate women. There is still so much to do for women’s rights globally and I plan to contribute often in my lifetime.

My Escape:
Being by a body of water, starting a new book, walking in nature and taking catnaps.

My Pet Peeve:
People who do not take responsibilities for their choices, people who complain and blame others but do not want to work to alter their outcome, and oh, long lines.

My Indulgence:
Learning something new, traveling, wine during the day, girl’s nights and new business ventures.

My Roots:
Honesty, giving it 110%, the right attitude, the confidence to go after your dreams and love.

My Future:
Magical

My Love:
When we are all together creating memories, donating our time to help others, seeing the world through our children’s eyes and feeling the touch of a spiritual connection

My Movie:
There are many movies I could name but in the spirit of empowering women, I would select “The Notebook” (2004). In the movie, Ryan Gosling buys Rachel McAdams a gift of painting supplies. He suggests through the gift that he wants her to pursue her dreams of painting and arranges a beautiful area in his house for her. There, of course, is so much more needed in a marriage than one gift but, I like what the gift infers – his commitment to her goals and dreams.

Marriage, to me and many successful women who I have interviewed, is about a mutually beneficial partnership that elevates both people to live their best and most purposeful life.

For many women, who they marry will determine their destination regardless of the rights available to them. Every chance I get, I share the truth about marriage to young women in an effort to set expectations that will help guide them toward a loving and mutually beneficial partnership.

My Quote on Life:
Gosh, so many to pick from, here are a few of my favorite quotes that guide me:
“You will face many defeats in your life but never let yourself be defeated.” ~ Maya Angelou

“There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women. ~Madeleine Albright

“Don’t wait.The time will never be just right.” ~ Napoleon Hill

My Accessory:
My phone.

My Advice to Young Women:
You can do anything you set your mind to. It comes down to your choices and who you surround yourself with. So, ladies choose wisely and do not compromise your dreams for someone else’s goals.

How I Balance it All:
HA! Balance is tough to find for women juggling the average load (family, extended family, career, community). With many of life’s demands, I have learned that I need to make selective choices each day that align to my goals and life objectives. This often requires me to say “no” to too many requests for my time. Through these sometime difficult choices, I’ve found personal strength, courage and determination. When I prioritize me first, I am a better mom, wife, entrepreneur and advocate. (More information about the Power of No can be found in the book, “The Confident Woman”.)

You can find me at www.purposefulwoman.com
Facebook Fan Page: Purposeful Woman
LinkedIn: JJ DiGeronimo

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 gals who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

Jennifer Voit

My Current Job/Company:
Vice President, The Center for Family Safety and Healing. The family violence center, located at Nationwide Children’s, aspires to break the cycle of violence through advocacy, prevention, intervention, treatment and research.

My Birthdate:
12/30/72

My Work:
I manage the operations of a great organization and support the work an amazing team of experts in the field of family violence and child abuse.

My Passion:
My family and friends and learning new things

My Family:
My husband, Mitch Harville and our two sons, Blake, 5 and Maddox, 2. They keep me laughing!

My Heroes:
My parents, Ray and Marty Voit… they passed away too young, but left a lasting impact on many. I miss them terribly.

My Escape:
The beach, the sun, the outdoors

My Pet Peeve:
Poor customer service and people not caring about their work

My Indulgence:
Good food + good wine + good friends… and dessert of course!

My Roots:
Strong family ties and long-lasting amazing friendships

My Future:
It gets better every day!

My Love:
My boys! I love watching them learn, grow and discover something new. I absolutely love the way they care for each other. Nothing is better than when they give each other a hug or tell each other “I love you”.

My Movie:
If I had to pick one today it would be “Crash.” It was challenging and really left me thinking.

My Quote on Life:
“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

And many (less appropriate) quotes from Tina Fey ☺!

My Accessories:
Bracelets and an occasional chunky ring

My Advice to Young Women:
Always think about your personal brand and what it represents….not just for today but also into the future.

How I Balance it All:
First of all, I realize that not all areas will be perfectly balanced all of time. Secondly, I try to be flexible and focus on the right things to achieve the right amount of balance in the right area at the right time.