Woman of the Week – Karen Twinem

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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.

Karen Twinem

My Current Job/Company: Vice President, Communications & Public Policy, National Church Residences

My Birthdate: October 31, 1954

My Work: I’m a communications strategist, weaving together the disciplines of public relations, public policy advocacy, marketing and advertising.

My Passion: Serving God through helping families who are dealing with crises.

My Family: Husband Ken, grown children I still call Sara and Joey (even though no one else does), and excellent cats Eleanor Clift and Clarence Page

My Heroes: Francis de Sales, Brother Lawrence and Lady Gaga’s mother (you had to be there). Also somewhat obviously, true journalists like Eleanor Clift and Clarence Page.

My Escape: Key West in winter, Virginia Beach in summer, and New York City any time at all

My Pet Peeves: People who harm others to make money.

My Indulgence: Condiments. It’s why we have the world’s largest refrigerator and can’t fit anything else in it.

My Roots: I grew up in Westerville, which I couldn’t wait to flee. And now I live in Westerville. Turns out there really are worse places.

My Future: I look forward to retirement because I will get to do important work for people who can’t afford to pay me anything.

My Love(s): My faith, my family and really interesting bookstores.

My Movie: I started with “She’s Having a Baby” and grew into “Steel Magnolias.” I’m probably headed toward “On Golden Pond.”

My Quote on Life: A prayer from Fr. Mychal Judge, the first person killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11: “Let me go where You want me to go. Let me meet who You want me to meet. Let me say what You want me to say. And keep me out of Your way.”

My Accessory: My 5-pound organizer that I can’t let go of, despite also using an iPad and iPhone.

How I Balance it All: Ruthless prioritization and scheduling every waking hour.

My Advice to Young Women: Keep learning. Focus on what’s most important to you. And commit to cultivating a deep relationship with God before the inevitable suffering of life shows up at your house.

Woman of the Week – Jennifer Lefkowitz

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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 Lefkowitz

My Current Job/Company: Independent Public Relations and Communications Consultant

My Birthday: 03-04-77

My Work: I work with a variety of clients to help develop and execute their communications strategies, with an emphasis on public relations to secure media placements and support their brand.

My Passion: I think passions change over time, but as long as I always remain passionate about my family, friends and making a difference in the lives of others, I feel fulfilled.

My Family: My husband Brian and two beautiful daughters (ages 3 and 15 months). My parents, Marvin and Renee, in-laws Randi and Sheldon, my brother Neal and my Grandma Miriam who will read about this on Facebook. I also have four brother-in-laws, one sister-in-law, two nephews and one niece.

My Heroes: My parents are wonderful people. I grew up in a very grounded household and was taught the importance of family, integrity, giving back and humor. Their generosity and support has helped me with many of my accomplishments.

My Escape: Usually any beach or pool in a tropical setting will do. There’s no better escape than a weekend away with my girlfriends. We’ve all moved to different cities, which makes our reunions that much more special.

My Pet Peeves:
Drama – I like to keep things simple. And while I’m at it, people who linger at the bottom of an escalator or in front of a revolving door.

My Indulgence: Pilates – It’s one of the best forms of exercise I’ve discovered. I also enjoy a glass (or two) of a good Sauvignon Blanc sitting on a porch on a beautiful spring/summer evening.

My Roots: I grew up in a small, Midwestern, tight-knit community that I couldn’t wait to leave, and swore I’d never return. But after 12 years in a big city, I saw the benefits of the environment I grew up in and we moved back to the same community to raise our family.

My Future: I look forward to creating life-long memories and lessons for my daughters.

My Loves: Brian and my daughters.

My Movie: Waiting for Guffman

My Quote on Life: “Look for opportunity. You can’t wait for it to knock on the door. … You might not be home.” – Jinger Heath

My Accessory: Anything vintage that was handed down from previous generations. I can’t wait to pass these items on to my daughters.

My Advice to Young Women: In a time where social media is integral in our everyday lives, stay polished and self aware. Remember your reputation precedes you, so make smart decisions and represent yourself in the best manner.

Woman of the Week – Pamela Edwards

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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.

Pamela Edwards

My Current Job/Company: Executive VP/CFO Victoria’s Secret Stores

My Birthdate: 10-23-62 (yes the big 5-0 is this year!)

My Work: I lead a 60+ finance department for World’s Best Brand for Women –Victoria’s Secret. Includes Strategic financial leadership, budgeting, forecasting, technology and inventory planning

My Passions: God, my husband and family (5 children, 2 dogs), my church, my community, and my job!

My Family: LeRoy (Husband), Greg (32), Diamond (23), Tayler (21), Garrett (18), Christian (11). Samson and Delilah (1 year old pups!)

My Heroes:My parents and in-laws, my pastor (Bishop Washington), and my husband.

My Escape: Cruising. We just came back from a 10 day cruise to Panama Canal. Best vacation so far!

My Pet Peeve: Negativity, Complainers vs doers.

My Indulgence: French Fries and Potato chips. Turtle candies

My Roots: Humble, value oriented. God at the center of all

My Future: Retirement with my husband (10 years from now!) Want to do community work and travel after that.

My Love: Laughing and spending time with my husband LeRoy who is the love of my life. My children and continuing to watch them grow into adulthood.

My Movie: “Phenomenon” – a great love story. “Imitation of Life” – Love yourself as you are and love those around you each and every day. Life can be too short. “o Brother where Art thou” – so goofy it makes me laugh.

My Quote on Life: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres,” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

My Accessory: My cross necklace that I wear every day.

My Advice to Young Women: Believe in yourself and forever have confidence.

How I Balance it All: We are empty nesters now, yet there never seems to be enough time to do everything we want to! However, it is keeping in mind what is most important, our values and ensuring that we check ourselves each and every day to make sure we are living our life to the fullest.

Woman of the Week – Diane Lang

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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.

Diane Lang

My Current Job: Humor Blogger and Social Media Manager for BlogHer

My Birthday: June 4th

My Work: Social Media Management for a community of 37 million women

My Passion: Special needs children, social media, helping women gain empowerment

My Family: Married for almost 15 years to Mike, daughter (13) and son (9)

My Heroes: BlogHer co-founders, Elisa Camahort-Page, Lisa Stone and Jory Des Jardins

My Escape: Writing

My Pet Peeves: When someone says, “A whole nother.” Oh, and bad table manners!

My Indulgence: Dark chocolate.

My Roots: A little bit of everything; German, Lebanese, Portuguese, Welsh

My Future: Is bright! I plan on getting published and doing more public speaking.

My Love(s): Family, friends, travel, my two dogs, and blogging

My Movie: Big Fish

My Quote on Life: Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. -Thoreau

My Accessory: My iPhone!

How I Balance it All: Careful planning and precise execution!

My Advice to Young Women: ASK! ASK! ASK! Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.