Woman of the Week – Janet Hawk

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.

Janet Hawk

My Current Job/Company:
Director, Market Analysis & Sales Programs, for OCLC. OCLC, headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, is a non-profit library cooperative with member libraries throughout the world. We provide research, programs and services that help libraries share and organize the world’s knowledge.

My Birthdate:
04.07.63

My Work
My team has two key areas of responsibility. First, we’re responsible for library-related market research, which includes primary research (e.g., surveys and focus groups) and secondary research (e.g., monitoring the library and technology industries and reporting to the OCLC employees). The results of our market research are shared with librarians, helping them to support funding requests. Additionally, we’re responsible for sales planning, analysis & reporting and for lead generation campaigns in North & South America. Each day brings new and exciting challenges. And, I’m fortunate to work with great colleagues who truly care about libraries and their mission.

My Passion:
Libraries and rescue dogs. I feed my passion for libraries each day at OCLC. I also volunteer as the director for Friends of the Shelter, an all-volunteer, non-profit that funds the medical care for sick and injured dogs at the Franklin County Dog Shelter & Adoption Center in Columbus. Each year, we save over 350 dogs at a cost of about $150,000. This volunteer work allows me to feed my passion to save and re-home adoptable dogs.

My Family:
My immediate family is my wonderful husband and best friend of 25+ years, Mickey, and four rescued furry “kids” – 2 dogs (Rex & Parker) and 2 cats (Ted & Tobey). I began volunteering with Friends of the Shelter after we adopted Rex; Rex’s medical care was funded by Friends of the Shelter while he was waiting to be adopted.

My Heroes:
My grandmother. And all of the wonderful volunteers who walk the shelter dogs every day in all kinds of weather.

My Escape:
My husband and I love to travel. We’ve been fortunate to visit many states and several countries. Some of my favorite trips have been tours of the western U.S., a trip to Australia and visits to see my brother and his wife in France. On a daily basis, I love to read mysteries when I have time.

My Pet Peeve:
Dishonesty.

My Indulgence:
Dessert, particularly chocolate anything.

My Roots:
My roots are in “small town America.” I grew up in Shelby, a small town of less than 10,000 in north central Ohio.

My Future:
I see my future as happy and busy!

My Quote on Life:
“You must be the change that you wish to see in the world.” (Mahatma Gandhi)

My Accessory:
My wedding rings. A smile. Whenever possible, a dog or two.

My Advice to Young Women:
Find work that makes you happy. You spend much of your life working, so make it enjoyable!

How I Balance it All:
Balancing priorities and responsibilities is always challenging. I make lists and celebrate the little victories. The lists help me prioritize and ensure that nothing key is forgotten. And, along the way, I try to remember to have fun.