Woman of the Week – Joyce Edelman

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.

Joyce Edelman

My Current Job/Company: I am a Partner with the law firm of Porter, Wright Morris & Arthur, LLP

My Birthday: 4/26/57

My Work: I just celebrated 30 years as a lawyer with Porter Wright! I defend pharmaceutical and medical device companies in complex product liability and mass tort litigation.

My Passion: I am passionate about my family, friends and career. I also have had a life-long passion for women’s issues which has been the focus of my community service.

My Family: Neal (great husband of 21 years); Josh (17 and a high school senior); Ilana (14 and a high school freshman).

My Heroes: My parents and my children are my heroes as they have taught me so many important life lessons. They inspire me to be the best person I can be.

My Escape: For the last 15 years, I have gone to the beach in Cape May, New Jersey with Neal, Josh, Ilana and my parents. I simply love any beach!

My Pet Peeve: Selfishness and bigotry are on the top of my list.

My Indulgence: Chocolate; french fries; cosmopolitans “reality” TV, and fashion….to name a few!

My Roots: I grew up in Wheeling, West Virginia in a loving Jewish home with two hard-working parents and two older talented sisters. I have had the same BFF my entire life as our moms were pregnant at the same time!

My Future: In the immediate future, I will try to prepare myself for my son leaving for college next year {Sigh}! In my long-term future, I want to age gracefully, take more risks and open new doors professionally and personally.

My Movie: I love movies but don’t have a favorite. The movie “Schindler’s List” had a profound effect on my life.

My Love: I love spending time with my kids. They light up my life in unimaginable ways.

My Quote on Life: “You must get involved to have an impact. No one is impressed with the won-lost record of the referee.” (John H. Holcomb)

My Accessory: Chunky necklaces; cuff bracelets; my YWCA “New to You” pink patent leather purse.

My Advice to Young Women: Take risks. Do things you can’t imagine. It’s all about confidence. Advocate for yourself and others. Stay authentic. Have fun.

How I Balance it All: Some days are better than others. On the days that no one is happy with me, I try not to beat myself up. I remind myself that I have a rich and meaningful professional and personal life and I am blessed. I have an amazing and supportive husband who handles a lot of our domestic life, especially when I am buried in work at the office or traveling. I rely on family and friends because it does take a village.

Woman of the Week – Laura Bennett

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.

Laura Bennett

My Current Job/Company: CEO and co-founder of Embrace Pet Insurance

My Birthday: March 2, 1966

My Work: I’m the face of Embrace Pet Insurance, the “chief embracer” – and am involved in just about everything to do with Embrace Pet Insurance.

My Passion: I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and building an amazing business…..and creating the quality to go along with that is just incredible. On a personal side, I’m passionate about my family. And I absolutely love traveling off the beaten path. I also love eating food – anything from the fanciest restaurant to a random little cantina in California that serves the best Mexican food I’ve ever had in my entire life.

My Family: Two daughters, Ellie and Erin, 8 and 6; my husband, John, our three cats and nine fish.

My Heroes: I think everyone’s a hero in their own lives. In my life, my mother and my grandmother have inspired me. My grandmother led an incredibly challenging life with moves and divorces and racial bias and had so much backbone and resolve. I still have the watch she bought for herself as her symbol of independence.

My Escape: Reading, long hot baths, long drives by myself. And, I love doing jigsaw puzzles; it’s very meditative.

My Pet Peeves: Fickle or fake people. Oh, and when people don’t use their turn
signal!

My Indulgence: Chocolate, coffee, massages, and eating pie for breakfast!

My Roots: I grew up in England and my dad was in the Royal Navy so we moved every two years. We stayed for a bit in Bath, England. I went to boarding school for high school so I could be in one place. My parents immigrated to Canada when I was 16 and I went to university there. Then I moved to Ireland for four years and then moved to Ohio where I am now. I’m British-Canadian-American.

My Future: Continue to keep growing the business and be as good a parent as I can be. Once the girls are older, traveling more!

My Love(s): My family. And, I love music. That’s how I met my husband; on a street corner in Ontario, trying to get into a concert. I love to laugh. I also love what I do for a living and using my brain to be creative.

My Movie: “The Good, the Bad and The Ugly,” “The Sound of Music,” “Lord of the Rings,” and “Harry Potter.” I like a variety of things, but I’m not a big fan of chick flicks.

My Quote on Life: Just Do It.

My Accessory: My thumb ring.

My Advice to Young Women: Whenever you are starting in your career or your life, it really is only the beginning of the rest of your life. The decisions you make then have impact but you aren’t pigeon holed into your choice forever. Trust you will find your path – if it makes you happy you can be successful. You will work it out yourself. Hang out with excellent people so you can see what is out there. Learn what your version of success is.

How I Balance it All: You can’t! You always have to make priorities. You have to say what you are not going to do. Find help where you can. Share with your partner. You have to let perfection go.

Woman of the Week – Caroline Haskett

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.

Caroline Haskett

My Current Job/Company: Marketing Manager/The Wellington School

My Birthday: 09.22.71

My Work: Each workday, I step inside the doors and walk the halls of The Wellington School. I visit classrooms, absorb the energy of amazing students and teachers, and then help tell inspiring stories to the Central Ohio community. I buy ads. I craft messaging. I market online.

My Passion: My family, hands down.

My Family: Jeff (kind husband), Sophie (creative daughter), Rosemary (lively daughter), Parker (playful son)

My Heroes: My children. They keep me on my toes and remind me to live in the moment.

My Escape: Amelia Island, Florida. Where we were married and continue to vacation. Lots of memories.

My Pet Peeve: Chaos.

My Indulgence: Sleeping late on rare occasions.

My Roots: All things southern.

My Future: Never dull.

My Love: Food. Learning to cook healthful menus that nourish our family.

My Show: Little House on the Prairie.

My Quote on Life: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

My Accessory: Bright, cheerful colors.

My Advice to Young Women: Living your dream doesn’t happen overnight. Work for it. It’s worth the wait.

How I Balance it All: I don’t, really. I’m usually one extreme or the other at any given time. All work or all play. But I try to let go of the guilt, which isn’t helpful to anyone.

Woman of the Week- Mary Stucke

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.

Mary Stucke

My Current Job/Company: Assurance Manager, GBQ Partner, LLC

My Birthday: 10.20.81

My Work: My experience with GBQ includes the performance of and management of audits, reviews and various other business consulting projects. I add value to my clients by presenting new ideas to help them improve their businesses.

My Passion: Helping others succeed in any way I can.

My Family: Eric (Husband)

My Hero: My dad. He has taught me the importance of education, respect and honesty by being an example in his own life.

My Escape: Dinner out with my sister and girlfriends!

My Pet Peeve: People who tell you what they think you want to hear instead of the honest truth.

My Indulgence:Chocolate and any kind of sweets

My Roots: Close family raised in a small town.

My Future: Uncertain but full of hope.

My Love: My family and friends. I am very fortunate to have so many wonderful people in my life.

My Movie: Love Actually, love is all around!

My Quote on Life: “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” -Abraham Lincoln

My Accessory: My pearl necklace. I don’t leave home without it!

My Advice to Young Women: You can achieve anything through hard work and dedication. Set your goals and do not waiver.

How I Balance it All: I am still learning this balancing act. One thing I have come to realize, it is not always going to be 50/50, but prioritizing the important things whether that is life or work and making sure not to miss the big moments.