Woman of the Week – Sara Mitchell

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

My Name:
Sara Mitchell

My Current Job/Company:
Communications Manager at The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio

My Birthday:
05.13.88

My Work:
As part of The Women’s Fund team I am committed to working towards building the capacity of the organization, expanding our reach in the community, and engaging an audience invested in social change. We strive to connect and engage all voices and my position helps make that happen. From our grant partners to donors to volunteers to the staff and Board, I create a space where all stories and voices are heard to create gender equality and community change.

My Passion:
People…we are the average of who we surround ourselves with so I choose to be around those that inspire passion in my life while also challenging me to be more of myself.

My Family:
My parents (Brad and Marianne), my sister and brother-in-law (Heather and Adrian), my energetic and incredible nephew and niece (Oliver and Zoe), my pessimistic looking pup (but I promise she’s happy) dear Prudence. Family is the core of who I am; it’s because of their believing in me since day one that I have had the confidence to grow a network of friends and mentors invested in me as well.

My Hero or Heroes:
Marianne Mitchell (aka my mom)- she is by far the strongest woman I have ever met, not just for herself but for those around her. There was a time in my life that she fought for me before I knew how to fight for myself, and for that I will be forever grateful. She has always put others first and raised us to do the same. Her authenticity, honesty, and integrity are traits I will never stop hoping to reflect.

My Escape:
Travel and reading- ideally both at the same time, but when time doesn’t allow for a trip a good book is the best escape. My parents always encouraged and emphasized reading when I was growing up and that passion has stayed with me over the years.

My Pet Peeve:
Rudeness- I never think there’s a reason to be rude and it bothers me when I witness others acting that way. I always try and overcompensate. Also, two spaces after a period (don’t get me started on this one…).

My Indulgence:
What some would call terrible TV.

My Roots:
Family – the Mitchell core 4.

My Future:
Always remains open.

My Favorite Quote:
“When something goes wrong in life just yell ‘plot twist!’ and move on.”

My Accessory:
Words…I have a small obsession with quotes (friends would probably say it’s more of a large addiction), I am constantly pinning them online and printing them for my office and apartment. Some of my favorite gifts have been silver bracelets with quotes engraved around them that I wear nearly every day. They are reminders on a daily basis of different people in my life as well as words I try to live by.

My dog Pru is a close second because in a lot of ways she is my shadow and picks up a lot of my personality.

My advice to Young Women:
Never stop challenging who you are in order to become who you want to be; strive to constantly be a work in progress.

How I Balance it All:
Honestly, I don’t always. And, there’s grace in letting go of the need to do so. I recently recognized that at this chapter in my life I won’t be able to constantly make everything work and everyone can’t fit in my schedule, but releasing the pressure to make this all happen has led to a greater alignment. It all starts with self-forgiveness and patience with my own expectations… coffee and owning my schedule help too.