Woman of the Week ~ Tara Aschenbrand

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: Tara Aschenbrand

My Current Job/Company: Vice President and Associate General Counsel at OhioHealth

My Work: I am blessed to work at OhioHealth with a fabulous team of lawyers who are not only wicked smart, but also fun. I am responsible for a team that provides legal support for all things involving human resource (benefits, associate relations, workers compensation, immigration, talent acquisition, accommodations, and leaves of absence) as well as some of our shared services (food & nutrition, supply chain, and protective services).

My Passion: My faith, my family and serving others.

My Family: My husband, Aaron, and I met in high school. Our first date was our senior prom. Together, we enjoy our crazy lives with our three children: Colter (Determined son, 15—who will remind others that he is older than his twin sister); Lily (Driven daughter, 15—who is more mature than her years on this earth as she has always been the little mom in our house), and Gianna (Witty daughter, 12—honest to her core with spunk to go with it), all of whom spoil our 2 dogs (Avalanche—the rule follower, and LuLu—the diva).

My Hero or Heroes: Individuals such as Mother Theresa who selflessly give and serve others, uphold their true values, and do the right thing when faced with choices.

My Escape: Camping (or “glamping” because we have an RV), hiking, and exploring new areas with the family. As our lives can be incredibly chaotic, I find myself craving simplicity. Laughing around a campfire away from the chaos and technology rejuvenates us as a family and fills my heart.

Pet Peeve: Lying, laziness, and selfish or pushy people.

My Indulgence: A good bottle of wine and laughs with friends or family at a spa or a quick getaway.

My Roots: I grew up in a strong family. My amazing parents ensured that my sisters and I kept family at the core of everything we did. We were taught to set goals, work hard, serve others, and live by the Golden Rule. My parents exemplified these values on a regular basis.

My Future: Amazing, blessed, exciting, and full of new adventures as we experience our kids learning to drive, becoming independent and growing into remarkable young adults committed to their core values.

My Favorite Quote: I love so many by Maya Angelo, one of my favorites is: “If you’re always trying to be normal you will never know how amazing you can be.”

My Accessory: Jewelry. My engagement ring is a replica of my great grandmother’s ring. I love finding unique pieces that have meaning behind them especially at my friend’s studio in the Short North—Peace Love Bling—where I can support an amazing woman dedicated to helping other women across the world.

My Advice to Young Women: Be comfortable in your choices. Own them–consciously make your choices and be confident in them. Know that saying yes to one thing means that you’re saying no to something else.

How I Balance it All: I remind myself to find something to be grateful for each day. Keeping a positive outlook helps me to stay (or at least feel) balanced. Like most of us, I am constantly juggling and adjusting to shifting priorities. I live by my calendar while remaining flexible as new things always tend to arise (especially with 3 busy kids who occasionally forget to tell mom and dad about a project or event until the last minute). I surround myself with an amazing village of friends and family who help me out and provide additional support. I also know that I need to take time for self-care (e.g., pilates, yoga, spa time) to keep me energized, and I surround myself with an incredible board of directors who help me to be my best, pull me up when I need to be, and keep me focused and positive.