Woman of the Week – Toni Eberhardt

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Toby and Toni

My Name: Toni J. Eberhardt

My Current Job/Company: PetSmart Corporation; Senior Manager, Public Relations & Social Media

My Birthday: January 18, 1969

My Work: Marketing & communications professional with a current focus on consumer public relations and social media in the retail space.

My Passion: A healthy lifestyle, which for me, means supporting my personal health through eating well and staying active doing the things I love (travel, reading, movies, working out) and surrounding myself with what I love most- my family, close friends and pets.

My Family: Lee, my two stepchildren, Tessa and Evan, my Mom and my pets, Toby (dog), Kirby, Reilly and Luigi (our three cats)

My Heroes: I have two heroes with one being my Mom, Rita Eberhardt. She is a strong, intelligent woman who has overcome amazing obstacles in life to create a stable, rich life for herself and for me as her daughter.

My other hero is the “great communicator,” President Ronald Reagan. As a leader, he demonstrated exceptional poise and an ability to consistently keep his eye on the bigger picture and collaborate to bring opposing forces together to achieve that vision willingly and enthusiastically. His ability to communicate with the unparalleled balance of empathy, humility, confidence and conviction in any forum- one to one with world leaders or to an audience of millions as Commander-in-Chief- enabled him to change history and inspire the visionary in each of us.

My Escape: Travel. Going to a new place and introducing one’s self to new cultures and views is the great escape and greatest opportunity to put life into perspective and grow spiritually, emotionally and intellectually.

My Pet Peeve: I am a communications professional- improper grammar, of course!

My Indulgence: Spa trips- a facial and a massage are on the “must do” list each month and body wraps quarterly. I mark each off my ”to do” list without fail.

My Roots: I am a Phoenician through and through, having turned down multiple career opportunities that included moves to places such as Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco and Chicago to stay in Scottsdale, Arizona. I love to travel and explore new places but I always smile proudly when the wheels hit the ground and the pilot welcomes us to Phoenix.

My Future: TBD. I have learned the hard way to focus on today to build a foundation that will lend itself to creating more opportunities, personally and professionally, than I could imagine for tomorrow. I have an interest in becoming an author as well as pursuing public affairs and/or public office. Most of all, my biggest interest is in learning more about me each day.

My Love(s): Lee Weiss. I waited a very long time to meet the love of my life but I got lucky over two years ago and met him, and he came with an incredible bonus – two children providing me the opportunity to experience having children and helping two young people grow in confidence and curiosity for life.

My Movie: “Something’s Gotta Give” ……. Just when I thought I had life figured out and had no need for a relationship, a man stepped in and showed me how much more of myself I could know if I was willing to share my heart.

My Quote on Life: “Smile. It’s makes people wonder what you’ve been up to!”

My Accessory: Toby, my dog. She’s not a purse dog, either! She is a German Shepherd who has been an amazing addition to my life. I adopted her from a rescue organization that was at a PetSmart store nearly 6 years ago (before I worked for PetSmart).

My Advice to Young Women: Get to know yourself, stand on your own two feet and don’t worry about how old you are and the proverbial “clock” ticking. Learn something new about yourself each day, and life will open more doors than you could plan with amazing people for you to choose.

How I Balance it All: Balance: A work in progress. Less than two years ago, I was single and all was balanced. Now, I work full-time and have a family, and I am still working to find that balance between taking care of me, work and my family. The key is holding myself accountable for the right things and not holding myself to standards that are unreasonable or unnecessary. Practically speaking, using my Outlook calendar to block out time for what is most important relative to work, my family and me has been the best way to drive balance. I don’t have a work calendar and a personal calendar. There is only one me so there can only be one calendar.

Woman of the Week – Barb Smoot

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My Name:
Barb Smoot

My Current Job/Company:
Executive Director/Women for Economic and Leadership Development

My Birthdate:
02.28.62

My Work:
I advance women’s leadership in our community and help women achieve their career aspirations through WELD’s programs.  When women embrace their collective leadership power, they can move mountains and help our community prosper.

My Passion:
My family and friends, my faith, supporting women in achieving their aspirations.

My Family:
I come from a huge family!  I love it when we get together.  Our three children keep us busy–Tanija (age 20), Kevin Jr. (age 16) and Waymond (age 13).

My Heroes:
Definitely my parents!  Their unconditional love and support mean everything.  They each worked multiple jobs at the same time to raise their children–they did this at a time when there were far fewer opportunities for African-Americans when compared to today.

My Escape:
Exercising, cooking, reading, having funny conversations with friends until we pull stomach muscles from laughing so hard!  My inner circle of friends drops each other random voice mails to uplift each other or make each other laugh.  I’ve learned not to listen to their voice mails in public because I have attracted undue attention from the uncontrollable laughter these voice mails sometimes create!  Can’t look too sophisticated when you’re cracking up and laid out in the grocery store aisle…

My Pet Peeve:
People/organizations with power and influence who choose to use them to bully rather than to protect and uplift others. This just makes the “Madea” in me want to “come out and play.”

My Indulgence:
Lays Garden Tomato Basil Potato Chips and Ruffles Sour Cream and Cheddar Chips, and I’m not talking about indulging with just the “advertised portion size.”  I’m talking “bring-a-whole-bag-to-bed-while-I’m-watching-‘Biggest Loser’-and-wake-up-to-the-crinkling-sound-of-an-empty-bag” indulgence.  I beg these companies to please STOP making them!

My Roots:
Faith.  Gratitude. Humor. Being productive and contributing.  Close family. My Sisters R Us friends who have a “sisterness” about us.

My Future:
Directed by God.  All I need to do is listen and remain steadfast in faith.

My Love:
My children.  Every day when my children come home safe and tell me that they love me and that I am a great mother is a great day.  My children are precious to me and are one of God’s blessings He has given me.  I hold on to each and every moment with them (even the challenging ones!) because children do grow fast!

My Movie:
Coming to America, Waiting to Exhale, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and True Lies.  (I just couldn’t stick to picking one!)

My Quote on Life:
“To whom much is given, much is expected.”

My Accessory:
Coats–if you can call a coat an accessory.  My mom always shakes her head at me because usually I’m carrying one over my shoulder instead of wearing it in the dead of winter like I’m supposed to.

My Advice to Young Women:
Don’t be afraid to take good risks! Quickly learn the difference between a “good risk” and a “bad risk.”  Also, cultivate a few deep and life long friendships with women who will be there for you in good times and in bad times–women you can be comfortable with letting them see your “ugly cry.”  These are the women who will see you through, build you up, and help you fly.  And when you do soar, these are the women who will clap the loudest for you.

How I Balance it All:
By not trying to act like “superwoman.”  I am not afraid to ask for help, say “no” or trim “the list.”  I also am a firm believer in being focused, having good back up plans, being organized (my darling children often tell me I have OCD), rethinking standards and not sweating the small stuff.  I have a definition of balance that works for me.  Each person has to find his or her own unique definition.

Woman of the Week – Lisa Kozak

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My Name:  Lisa Kozak

My Current Job/Company: Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited – Global Recruiting Manager

My Birthday: 9/20/69

My Work:  Managing a recruiting team to hire technology professionals to support the technology and infrastructure of the Deloitte member firms

My Passion:  Cooking – I am no Iron Chef, but I really enjoy the relaxation that comes with cooking;  watching my kids compete in their various sporting events

My Family: Mike, husband of nearly 15 years, daughters Avery (10) and Cameron (7) and our dog Tucker (3) Brittney Spaniel

My Hero: My mother-in-law – Since her husband’s, my father-in-law’s, aneurysm nearly 12 years ago, she has been his sole care giver. He is partially paralyzed, cannot walk or do much for himself, so he relies on her for everything from eating to getting into bed.  She does everything she can for him and has the hope that one day he will walk again…maybe not in this life, but she knows he will walk again. Her undying devotion to help him see another day is truly amazing!

My Escape: House in Michigan; great place to relax and forget about the work week

My Pet Peeves: People who don’t play by the rules, in life and otherwise

My Indulgence:  Sweet Mandy B’s cupcakes in Chicago; thankfully it’s only an occasional indulgence

My Roots:  Born in Indiana, grew up in Ohio, moved to Illinois, specifically Chicago, other than a short stint in San Francisco, I have been in Chicago since 1995

My Future: Ever evolving – I hope to do something on my own one day – just don’t know yet what that is…

My Love(s): My husband, my children, my sisters and their families, doing triathlons, cooking, drinking wine & champagne and our Michigan lake house

My Movie: Shawshank Redemption – life is about second chances

My Quote on Life:  Hope is not a strategy

My Accessory: Handbags for sure

My Advice to Young Women:  Life is not a sprint, but a marathon; take your time and do things at your own pace, you are the one writing the rules, not the people before you…

How I Balance it All:  I take time for myself by training and working out regularly; once I have released my stress, my focus is so much sharper and my mind much more open.

Woman of the Week – Jennifer Fountain

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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 Fountain

My Current Job/Company:
Fundraiser for OhioHealth

My Birthdate:
11.24.71

My Work:
I pair people who care with projects that empower.  My job is to make the match between generous donors with a passion for giving and grateful hospitals with a concern for our community’s well being.  I feel privileged to work in the field of healthcare philanthropy, where every dollar raised can directly impact someone’s quality of life.

My Passion:
Being passionate!  I’m all about loving what you love.  Why not?  Someone once told me you only go around once so why not roll down the windows while you crank up the AC?

My Family:
John (6th grade dance partner and husband of 7 years), Stella (5-year-old super charged daughter), and Crosby (2-year-old sweetie pie son).

My Heroes:
Anyone with moxie, mojo and dogged determination, as best exemplified by Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind.  I’m also a big fan of those with grace and poise, like Grace Kelly, who I wish to emulate.

My Escape:
Anywhere in the great state of Maine.

My Pet Peeves:
Slow drivers in the passing lane, the incredibly loud volume of today’s TV commercials, and sharing food.

My Indulgence:
Buttery Chardonnay and Swedish Fish.

My Roots:
I’m a hybrid between my parents, each having shaped who I am today.  My upbringing includes:  a hard-working YWCA Woman of Achievement award winner; an artsy, nature-loving architect; and, the most patient industrial engineer/part-time professor who dared to teach me my multiplication tables and how to drive stick shift.

My Future:
Fabulously undefined.

My Love(s):
Bruce Springsteen and Billie Holiday.  Music moves me.  These are two of the best because they sing from the soul.

My Movie:
The Usual Suspects, the 1995 cult classic about mysterious mob boss Keyser Söze, with Kevin Spacey.  My favorite flicks are those that pull the rug out from underneath you and make you question everything you’ve understood to be true.  I love a good conspiracy theory.

My Quote on Life:
“Leave it better than you found it.  Make sure all your actions and avenues are based in betterment.”

My Accessory:
Scarves…..they serve as a deflector shield and a power cape all in one.

My Advice to Young Women:
Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know.  Be aggressive to go gain the knowledge needed to do your job.  But understand that from then on, there are no excuses for not knowing the answers.

How I Balance it All:
I don’t— it’s not possible.  No one person can do it all.  I learned a long time ago that running with all pistons firing only leads to major crash-n-burns.  These days I try to be present wherever I am.  You have to learn how to drop the guilty mom feeling when you have an evening work event and can’t be home.  On the weekend, you have to leave the BlackBerry in the bottom of the briefcase and let the emails go unattended during family time.  It’s the only way to stay sane. That and a wonderful husband who loves to cook!

Woman of the Week – Michelle Devine Reese

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My Name:
Michelle Devine Reese

My Current Job/Company:
In transition… and loving it!

My Birthdate:
04.01.64

My Work:
I help organizations to be more successful. My favorite aspect of this is working with leaders and their teams to structure them for success and bring out the strengths of the team. My overall goal is to improve individual well-being on the job which leads to organizational well-being (including financial!).

My Passion:
Gratitude for life and those who share their lives with me, in service of lifting the lives of those who struggle (including a special place in my heart for those with Cancer or Alzheimer’s).

My Family:
Jim (Husband), Jack (12), Nickolas (9), Morgan (7), Natalie (5)

My Heroes:
My mom – she built my confidence at EVERY opportunity and exemplified hard work, good fun, and caring for others. My husband. Anyone who gives of themselves for the less fortunate. People living with and overcoming difficulties.

My Escape:
The ocean with a beach to walk on. When I can’t get there… a funny TV show or movie.

My Pet Peeve:
Poor customer service. Small mindedness. Discrimination. (Not in that order!)

My Indulgence:
Sweets, particularly dark chocolate. Special trips with girlfriends every few years (big ones, like Paris and the Grand Canyon!)

My Roots:
City girl (New York City). Full-time working Mom. Inter-generational household (lived with my Grandfather). Irish-descent. Friends were our extended family. Amazing, lifelong friends from my all-girls, Catholic high school.

My Future:
Who knows, but I’m grateful for every day and open to life’s possibilities.

My Love:
Jim, the love of my life. Remembering the days my children were born and every time they laugh, make music on pots and pans, say or write “I love you” or do something nice for each other.

My Movie:
Working Girl. Shows what hard work, listening more than talking, luck and timing, and a little moxie can do!

My Quote on Life:
I believe in “… the fierce urgency of now…Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)

My Accessory:
Glass rings from Italy. Leg Warmers – oh wait, that was my accessory in the 80’s!

My Advice to Young Women:
Figure out what makes you uniquely you and never change those things for a job, a partner, anyone. Respect everyone. Listen to their stories. People usually have a good reason for what they do (except for poor customer service, of course!).

How I Balance it All:
First, I am blessed with an amazing spouse. He takes care of many things of which I am not particularly fond (like cooking and paying bills). I have changed my view of “perfect” – no longer a perfectly clean, organized house, for example, but rather, a family who loves each other and extends themselves to others. Lastly, I don’t expect balance on a daily basis in terms of time spent in one part of my life versus another, but rather look at a longer horizon (months or years) and how I feel about each part – am I my best self in each role? More time doesn’t get that in order. Focus, prioritization, reflection and prayer do that for me.