Woman of the Week – Robin Hepler

/0 Comments/in /by

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.

Robin Hepler

My Current Job/Company: Director of Marketing and Communications, Columbus College of Art & Design

My Birthday: March 12, 1959

My Work: Our team creates the outreach plans and communications tools to attract the best-fit students to CCAD and to cultivate alumni, donor and community support. The college is embarking on a major transformation – growing from a regional campus to a national college offering a master’s degree and a focus on the entrepreneurship and creative problem solving of artists and designers to be leaders in the creative economy.

My Passion: My kids, though they wish I could find something else to occupy my time.

My Family: Lauren, 22, soon-to-be graduate of George Washington University; Collin, 20, anthropology and political science major at Salve Regina University; Loki, 9 mos., our rescue dog with the most appropriate mythological name.

My Heroes: My mom and dad — two depression-era folks who carved out a family-focused life and careers serving others. My mom has passed her 30-year anniversary volunteering weekly at the Holy Family Soup kitchen, and just started a new monthly volunteer gig in the nursery of the church near her house. My dad spent 33 years in the fire service.

My Escape: A nice glass of wine, a week of DVR programs so I can skip the commercials.

My Pet Peeves: Whiners without solutions to suggest; don’t just bring me your problems, let’s work together on solutions.

My Indulgence: Travel – splurging on a graduation celebration trip next month to Rome and Brussels.

My Roots: I treasure them. Grew up on a mini-farm near Darby Metro Park. I showed horses, my dad raised beagles, and my mom operated the best-run, exceptionally fun home where we always had a cousin or a friend staying over. I moved back to central Ohio after being gone for seven years, and haven’t looked back.

My Future: Exciting! Far different than anything I could have imagined even a year ago. New house, new career, and only one tuition bill to manage now. I’m very lucky.

My Loves: Family, and quality time with them.

My Movie: I’m a theatre buff who reads non-fiction, so I’m not a prime target for movie marketers. “The Kings Speech” and “Iron Lady” are two of my recent favorites – otherwise, I’m watching Netflix documentaries on my Kindle.

My Quote on Life: From a Mark Pi fortune cookie: “The best times of your life have yet to be lived.” Gives me something to look forward to each day.

My Accessory: Regrettably, my phone with three email accounts.

How I Balance it All: I don’t. Drove myself crazy trying to do so. Finally realized it’s about constantly resetting the day’s priorities, knowing what you can control and knowing what you’re willing to go to the mat to defend each day. Or, as my mom would say during the daily disruptions of life, such as when guests showed up at the door as we were planning to leave: “I think we’re on plan F for today.”

My Advice to Young Women: You can have it all, but you don’t have to try to do it all at one time. You will have plenty of opportunities if you build a solid network of women with similar goals – so take chances, take a break if you want to, try on new careers. And volunteer – it will be the best management training you ever get, and the personal satisfaction is immeasurable.

Woman of the Week – Carrie Dupler

/1 Comment/in /by

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.

Carrie Dupler


My Current Job/Company: Controller, Dupler Office

My Birthday: July 19

My Work: I work in the company started with my husband and his twin brother. We help our clients create great places to work, learn and heal. We are a leading full service office furniture company in Columbus.

My Passion: Faith, family and friends.

My Family: My husband (Brandon), my five year old daughter (Eliza), and my nine year old son (Max).

My Heroes: My husband and my father.

My Escape: Enjoying a great book sitting either on a beach or by a warm fire curled up in a blanket.

My Pet Peeves: People who believe they are entitled to something without earning it.

My Indulgence: Homemade ice cream.

My Roots: Family and faith. I feel blessed to have both my family and my husband’s family in town.

My Future: My career has taken me in many directions and right now I have the best balance I have ever had in my life. I guess you could say I am enjoying the moment!

My Loves: My husband, my kids, our friends and families.

My Movie: “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.” I just love how Mr. Smith (James Stewart) does not give up and sticks to what he believes. I also secretly have a fascination with politics!

My Quote on Life: God is Good. Awhile back I read the book The Road Less Traveled. The first sentence in the book is “Life is difficult.” It then goes on to say that once you really realize that it is difficult things do not seems so bad. When life gets especially difficult I remind myself that God is not going to give me anything I cannot handle.

My Accessory: Fun jewelry.

How I Balance it All: I try to spend a few minutes each day thinking and praying. This helps me to focus on what is really important.

My Advice to Young Women: Know who you are, what you want, find something you love and work hard.

Woman of the Week- Melina Metzger

/0 Comments/in /by

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.

Melina Metzger

My Current Job/Company: Public Relations Manager, Safelite AutoGlass®



My Birthday: January 23, 1978



My Work: I have worked in public relations and marketing for 12 years. I joined Safelite AutoGlass® in August 2010 in a newly created PR position with the goal of making our company “famous for service.” With nearly 10,000 employees nationwide, I help facilitate media interviews and publicity opportunities and help manage the company reputation. I can easily say that Safelite has created one of the best work environments I have ever experienced.



My Passion: My passion is traveling and experiencing new cultures. I recently took my first European vacation to France (Paris, Provence and Nice) and hope to make overseas travel a part of my life.

My Family: Still seeking my better half!



My Hero: My grandmother, who at the age of 93 finally lost a nearly 10-year-long battle against cancer just over a year ago. We share many similar traits (at least I like to think we do). She lives on in me and how I live life and treat others. She was the most independent woman I have ever known. She was strong, mentally and physically, and rooted in family and faith.



My Escape: I began running about eight years ago – something I never thought I would do. Now, taking an outdoor run on a sunny day to clear my thoughts is the best escape imaginable. I even completed my first duathlon (run/bike/run) last April!



My Pet Peeves: People who judge others too quickly. We’re all human and, by nature, flawed.


My Indulgence: I am a thrifty person so my indulgences are based on experiences – having an extra glass of wine with a friend, splurging on dessert after a good meal, or frequent trips to the neighborhood Mexican joint.

My Roots: My family has lived on the same farm in northwest Ohio for over 100 years. My ancestry includes German, French, Irish and Swiss. I am my own melting pot.



My Future: I pray for health and happiness… beyond that, I never plan too far ahead!



My Loves: I am a music fanatic. I love discovering new bands and supporting local acts.



My Movie: I fell in love with the original Gidget film with Sandra Dee when I was young, and it is still one of my favorites. If only we lived in a world where we could still say, “Gee, daddy,” and “golly!”



My Quote on Life: “God loves you just the way you are, but he loves you too much to let you stay that way.” When I first heard this line in movie, it was a funny insult to the character. But, it rang very true to me… I’m good enough just the way I am, but there’s always room to be better.



My Accessory: I have an addiction to vintage jewelry. I have many of my grandmother’s pieces and antique store finds.

My Advice to Young Women: Look to multiple people to serve as mentors. I have been fortunate to build an outstanding network of female mentors. Karen Twinem served as the executive vice president of the agency where I worked for eight years. She took me under her wings and developed me as a PR professional, inspired my creativity, and helped me cope with friends who were struggling with mental illness. Michelle Moore, Kristin Mack-Deuber, Caroline Cofer Golon, and Kim Ratcliff who all passed through my professional life continue to serve as sources of daily strength and inspiration.

Woman of the Week – Becca Thomas

/0 Comments/in /by

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.

Becca Thomas


My Current Job/Company:
Director of Events and Marketing for Komen Columbus


My Birthday:
October 6, 1983


My Work:
I’m responsible for organizing the second largest Race for the Cure in the country, along with other fundraising and educational events for the Affiliate. I also help promote Affiliate news and events through social media and traditional media channels.


My Passion:
Helping others and constantly learning.

My Family:
My very adorable husband and puppy, Luke and Molasses, respectively.


My Heroes:
My parents. Some of my earliest memories are of volunteering in our community with them and delivering homemade dinners to friends or family in need. They have an incredible work ethic and set wonderful examples for our family in terms of their relationship and balancing family and success.


My Escape:
During the week – working out early in the morning and ending the day on my backyard patio with a glass of wine. I spend my weekends getting “eco-therapy” as my husband calls it, by spending time outside at a nearby park or in the Hocking Hills.


My Pet Peeves:
Ignorance and intolerance. Also, incorrect grammar.


My Indulgence:
The aforementioned wine and the latest Vanity Fair. Traveling to see friends and family spread out across the country. Fresh cut flowers and manicures.


My Roots:
Eastern European, then New England meets Midwest. I grew up in a small town with a great sense of community, but was very fortunate to be able to travel and experience different cultures as well.


My Future:
Healthy and happy with a meaningful career and semi-well behaved children.


My Loves:
My family, cooking, my completely delicious niece and wonderful friends.

My Movie:
It’s a top 3 –
1. Apollo 13 as I wanted to be an astronaut for many years, but finally decided I couldn’t do it better than Tom Hanks and was terrified of actual Apollo 13-type situation,
2. The Motorcycle Diaries because you can see the passion and intensity develop in Che Guevara as a young adult, and
3. Tommy Boy because it reminds me of my childhood.


My Quote on Life:
Nothing can trump the Golden Rule. Also, “Never regret anything that has happened in your life; it cannot be changed, undone or forgotten. Take it as a lesson learned and move on.”


My Accessory:
Jewelry from my husband. My iPhone is never far away either.


My Advice to Young Women:
Work hard and make things happen and you never know where you’ll land. Learn from challenges and adversity and strive to be better.

Woman of the Week – Cary Hanosek

/0 Comments/in /by

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

Cary Hanosek

My Current Job/Company:
Investment Associate/Merrill Lynch

My Birthday:
01.27.74

My Work:
I build relationships with clients and offer financial advice and guidance for families and for business owners. I am a partner in The Simonton-Hanosek-Mangum Wealth Management Team at Merrill Lynch.

My Passion:
My dad has a saying: “You should spend your time concentrating on your mind, body, and community” and I believe strongly in that mantra. Community includes your family, friends, and your city.

My Family:
Joe (Encouraging Husband), Meredith (Strong-Willed and Independent 7-year-old daughter), Madison (Feisty and Fearless 4-year-old daughter)

My Heroes:
My parents, Meredith and Bob Patton. They have been married 47 years this year and they are still happy and in love. Very impressive! They worked together in business for over 20 years and they taught my brother and me the value of hard work and the importance of family.

My Escape:
Downton Abbey

My Pet Peeve:
Inefficiency and grammatical errors

My Indulgence:
Jeni’s Salty Carmel and Queen City Cayenne Ice Cream

My Roots:
Family and faith focused. I grew up in Springfield, Ohio, with a fantastic group of friends with whom I am very close even today.

My Future:
I am optimistic about the future but I live in the present. I live by the old quote: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present.”

My Love:
Spending time with family and friends in Charlevoix, Michigan, every summer.

My Movie:
Auntie Mame (1958)

My Quote on Life:
“Life’s a banquet, and most suckers are starving to death.” -Rosalind Russell in Auntie Mame

My Accessory:
My University of Virginia watch

My Advice to Young Women:
Be fearless and be a trailblazer. When preparing for a presentation, research your topic and rehearse so you are the smartest person in the room.

How I Balance it All:
I have developed a group of friends in town who are very special to me and help me when I need it. My career would not be possible without the support of my husband and my parents. I am blessed and I am grateful every day.