Woman of the Week – Jessica Sparks

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.

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!