Each week, we feature a fantastic new woman 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.

Traci Dunn

My Current Job/Company:
SVP-Inclusion, Talent & Organizational Effectiveness Director/Huntington National Bank

My Birthday:
02.27.73

My Work:
I enable high performance by creating an inclusive culture that welcomes diversity of thought so more and better ideas come faster. Additionally, I support the development of high performers through talent management, capability and leadership development as well as organizational effectiveness interventions.

My Passion:
Helping others help themselves.

My Family:
Single, no children but proud Aunt to 2 nephews and 5 nieces.

My Heroes:
My parents. They were married 54 years when my father passed in 2008. Such amazing role models!!!

My Escape:
Water and Sun

My Pet Peeve:
Negativity

My Indulgence:
Shoes

My Roots:
Southern, Family Oriented, Servant Leadership

My Future:
Exciting

My Love:
Traveling the world.

My Movie:
Sparkle – Can’t wait for the remake in a few months.

My Quote on Life:
Actually my favorite scripture on life: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

My Accessory:
Chunky rings

My Advice to Young Women:
I’m going to give you a “mama-ism” (wise words from my Mama)….You are characterized by the company you keep. Surround yourself with like-minded people and people in place you aspire to be.

How I Balance it All:
By realizing there is no such thing as balance, it’s all about integration. Balance to me is half and half. If I only gave 50% to my job – I’d get fired. If I only gave 50% to myself, family and friends I’d fail. I just try to find ways to integrate the two. That might mean checking emails on my ipad while lounging on my deck or adding a weekend to a business trip to attend my nephew’s track meet.

Each week, we feature a fantastic new woman 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.

Colleen Gilger

My Current Job/Company:
Economic Development Manager, City of Dublin

My Birthdate:
04.19.72

My Work:
I build relationships and affinity between Dublin businesses and the community. I work to retain and grow existing businesses, attract new jobs and develop entrepreneurs. I assist developers, sometimes through financial incentive negotiations, to build new buildings and redevelop old ones. I serve as a liaison and ombudswoman. I am a creative problem-solver.

My Passion:
Christ, my husband, my children

My Family:
Patrick (Husband), Nora (9), Tessa (8)

My Heroes:
Chris and Stefanie Spielman. I just finished reading Chris Spielman’s book; and I am in awe of their love story, their devotion to God, their positive attitudes through difficult times, their resilience, strength and ability to see themselves as Christ’s tools in the community.

My Escape:
The ocean, whether on a cruise ship or a beach. The sounds and smells clear my head and bring me relaxation.

My Pet Peeves:
Parents who still act like teenagers, especially in the presence of their children. People who don’t use turn signals.

My Indulgences:
Wine. Dessert first. Massages. Intensely hot bubble baths.

My Roots:
Cleveland Ohio! Proud Irish roots. Close-knit, loud, extroverted, passionate family. Three siblings. All 4 of us married introverts, or as my mom describes them, “wall flower spouses who allow their butterfly partners the ability to shine.” My dad taught me to love sports. I love me some Browns, Indians, Cavs, and not LeBron.

My Future:
My job allows me to feel such a sense of accomplishment when new buildings come out of the ground; and I knew I had a part in their inception and creation. Dublin has so much land left to develop. I look forward to so many future moment of ground-breakings, ribbon-cuttings and road openings!

My Love:
Being a soccer mom to 2 children who love this sport more than I ever remember loving any one thing at their age. Dave Matthews music which makes me sway, tap my toes and smile. Singing at church. My husband who continues to amaze me when I see him interact with our daughters.

My Movie:
Shakespeare In Love. I love a good love story. And I’m a sucker for anything Shakespearean.

My Quote on Life:
“Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”- Philippians 4:5-7

My Accessory:
A girl’s best accessory is confidence 🙂 One accessory that goes with me always: a small tattoo on my wrist with the names of my husband and children. I can glance down throughout the day and see their names peeking out behind my watch wristband – it always brings a smile to my face.

My Advice to Young Women:
It’s not what you accomplish in life that’s most important. It’s what you experience and overcome along the way. Instead of looking at the end result, embrace the journey.
–When you’re 18, everything seems magnified far beyond its actual importance.
–Stop worrying. When you worry, you are showing a lack of faith and trust.
–Serve your community without question and without expecting anything in return.

How I Balance it All:
I’ve learned (reluctantly) to let go of the working-mom guilt, and to gently say “no” sometimes to all the requests! I have a color-coded world: work, school, soccer, church, book club, date night, etc. The iPhone App “Cozi Calendar” synchs our to-do lists and calendars on our computer, phones and the kids’ iTouches. We always know where everyone is and where we need to be. Multi-tasking is my enemy: I remind myself to focus on one thing or person at a time and ALWAYS BE PRESENT!

Each week, we feature a fantastic new woman 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 Lefkowitz

My Current Job/Company: Independent Public Relations and Communications Consultant

My Birthday: 03-04-77

My Work: I work with a variety of clients to help develop and execute their communications strategies, with an emphasis on public relations to secure media placements and support their brand.

My Passion: I think passions change over time, but as long as I always remain passionate about my family, friends and making a difference in the lives of others, I feel fulfilled.

My Family: My husband Brian and two beautiful daughters (ages 3 and 15 months). My parents, Marvin and Renee, in-laws Randi and Sheldon, my brother Neal and my Grandma Miriam who will read about this on Facebook. I also have four brother-in-laws, one sister-in-law, two nephews and one niece.

My Heroes: My parents are wonderful people. I grew up in a very grounded household and was taught the importance of family, integrity, giving back and humor. Their generosity and support has helped me with many of my accomplishments.

My Escape: Usually any beach or pool in a tropical setting will do. There’s no better escape than a weekend away with my girlfriends. We’ve all moved to different cities, which makes our reunions that much more special.

My Pet Peeves:
Drama – I like to keep things simple. And while I’m at it, people who linger at the bottom of an escalator or in front of a revolving door.

My Indulgence: Pilates – It’s one of the best forms of exercise I’ve discovered. I also enjoy a glass (or two) of a good Sauvignon Blanc sitting on a porch on a beautiful spring/summer evening.

My Roots: I grew up in a small, Midwestern, tight-knit community that I couldn’t wait to leave, and swore I’d never return. But after 12 years in a big city, I saw the benefits of the environment I grew up in and we moved back to the same community to raise our family.

My Future: I look forward to creating life-long memories and lessons for my daughters.

My Loves: Brian and my daughters.

My Movie: Waiting for Guffman

My Quote on Life: “Look for opportunity. You can’t wait for it to knock on the door. … You might not be home.” – Jinger Heath

My Accessory: Anything vintage that was handed down from previous generations. I can’t wait to pass these items on to my daughters.

My Advice to Young Women: In a time where social media is integral in our everyday lives, stay polished and self aware. Remember your reputation precedes you, so make smart decisions and represent yourself in the best manner.

Each week, we feature a fantastic new woman 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.

Diane Lang

My Current Job: Humor Blogger and Social Media Manager for BlogHer

My Birthday: June 4th

My Work: Social Media Management for a community of 37 million women

My Passion: Special needs children, social media, helping women gain empowerment

My Family: Married for almost 15 years to Mike, daughter (13) and son (9)

My Heroes: BlogHer co-founders, Elisa Camahort-Page, Lisa Stone and Jory Des Jardins

My Escape: Writing

My Pet Peeves: When someone says, “A whole nother.” Oh, and bad table manners!

My Indulgence: Dark chocolate.

My Roots: A little bit of everything; German, Lebanese, Portuguese, Welsh

My Future: Is bright! I plan on getting published and doing more public speaking.

My Love(s): Family, friends, travel, my two dogs, and blogging

My Movie: Big Fish

My Quote on Life: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. -Thoreau

My Accessory: My iPhone!

How I Balance it All: Careful planning and precise execution!

My Advice to Young Women: ASK! ASK! ASK! Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.

Each week, we feature a fantastic new woman 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.

Carrie Dupler


My Current Job/Company: Controller, Dupler Office

My Birthday: July 19

My Work: I work in the company started with my husband and his twin brother. We help our clients create great places to work, learn and heal. We are a leading full service office furniture company in Columbus.

My Passion: Faith, family and friends.

My Family: My husband (Brandon), my five year old daughter (Eliza), and my nine year old son (Max).

My Heroes: My husband and my father.

My Escape: Enjoying a great book sitting either on a beach or by a warm fire curled up in a blanket.

My Pet Peeves: People who believe they are entitled to something without earning it.

My Indulgence: Homemade ice cream.

My Roots: Family and faith. I feel blessed to have both my family and my husband’s family in town.

My Future: My career has taken me in many directions and right now I have the best balance I have ever had in my life. I guess you could say I am enjoying the moment!

My Loves: My husband, my kids, our friends and families.

My Movie: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” I just love how Mr. Smith (James Stewart) does not give up and sticks to what he believes. I also secretly have a fascination with politics!

My Quote on Life: God is Good. Awhile back I read the book The Road Less Traveled. The first sentence in the book is “Life is difficult.” It then goes on to say that once you really realize that it is difficult things do not seems so bad. When life gets especially difficult I remind myself that God is not going to give me anything I cannot handle.

My Accessory: Fun jewelry.

How I Balance it All: I try to spend a few minutes each day thinking and praying. This helps me to focus on what is really important.

My Advice to Young Women: Know who you are, what you want, find something you love and work hard.