Our Woman of the Week now includes Career advice, insights, and feedback from our clients and friends.  Meet Nichole Dunn, President & CEO of Flying Horse Farms.

Best Mentor/Sponsor in your Life: Mr. Rick Carrick, my boss when I relocated to Ohio and worked at the United Way of Central Ohio. He met me where I was at the time while holding a high bar for my potential. In the words of Brene Brown, he consistently delivered “clear is kind” feedback. Having been given leadership opportunities at a young age and growing up in a “girls can do anything” house, I came to realize these were examples of privilege and opportunity.  All positive things, and yet, that naiveté is what he helped me break through. He knew to lean in and share perspective of who I was meeting with- or who I should meet with. He would give a little nudge or nod on where to sit or stand in a room. He bolstered my confidence in one situation where he simply said “You know you can tell her ‘no’” when I was put on the spot to deliver something to the CEO at the time with an unreasonable turnaround. I was shocked and said, “Tell who no?” This was the beginning of my lesson in the art of negotiation while maintaining respect. Rick was also the person who, at every opportunity, would present to me a job description and simply recognize that I wasn’t going to be in that role long and he would want to be the first person to make a recommendation or on the reference list to wherever I go next.

Best Investment in Your Career: Coaching. By far. For the longest time I thought I would need to further pursue degrees, certifications, and other formal proofs of expertise. There are some responsibilities and roles where credentials and knowledge are required, however, it has been the direct investment in having a coach that has consistently been a catalyst at different points in my career. The self-growth from being challenged with thought provoking questions, self-awareness from given time to reflect and open to feedback, perspective of others gained that evolved my empathy and compassion, which has led to shifts in my thinking and behavior that have had the most lasting impact.

Best Career Advice You’ve Received: You are responsible for the effort, not the outcome. This advice was shared with me early in my career, I was a counselor leading a high school for students in recovery for drug and alcohol use. It was intended to apply to the process and integrity of counseling – to not take on the responsibility of how someone ultimately behaves or choices they make – however, I soon adopted this belief across other areas of leadership, relationships, and personal growth. For relationships, through this filter I hold myself accountable for how I show up with dignity and seeing the best in others. Professionally, this means that effort put in will not always be directly reflected in results – and yet, the responsibility of the leader is to be accountable for driving both results and casting the vision. I’ll give an example: you may put significant time, strategy, investment into a proposal and yet, for circumstances unforeseen you do not get the opportunity. The effort isn’t lost, the outcome sure is and that stinks, however you persevere. In the same example, perhaps you do little effort and do acquire a large donation or project.  The outcome in this case you didn’t do much to get it, but perspective will tell you that other factors – your reputation, your relationships, other efforts put forth will create outcomes. So, let’s acknowledge the tenacity demonstrated above outcomes, and the drive and values demonstrated along the way. Over time, the results will happen.

It’s a new year and we are re-imagining our previous Woman of the Week to include Career advice, insights, and feedback from our clients and friends.

Our first Highlight is our daughter, who is now old enough to have a LinkedIn Page!  Katie Kuttrus is a freshman at the University of Dayton studying Business/Entrepreneurship. Jack Kuttrus and I are so proud to be her parents!

Best Mentor/Sponsor in your Life:  The best mentor in my life was my high school advisor, Mr. Hansen. I met Mr. Hansen going into my freshman year of high school. I was a very nervous freshman but whenever I went to talk to him about a struggle I was immediately more calm. He knew how to put things into perspective, which, as a 15 year old, is all I needed. As I continued to grow through high school he was there for it all.  At the beginning of my senior year, I experienced some serious health issues. He immediately reached out, connected with my family, and was there to talk any day I needed. I can’t begin to express my gratitude for him and all his support towards my family and me.

Best Investment of Time in Your School/Career: The best investment of my time throughout my school career has been being a part of student government in high school. I was nominated class president through my first years of high school and then that led to student body president, my senior year. Although getting up in front of the student body for morning meetings was very fun, the most rewarding experiences came from the relationships I created through these groups. I learned life skills that I didn’t realize were difficult to obtain for a teenager. I think that it really set me on a track for success because I was able to develop strong leadership and communication skills and that also led me in a direction to be able to deal with times of adversity very well, and in a tranquil manner.

Best Career Advice You’ve Received: The best career advice I have received is from my Mom. My mom has always advised me to do what I love, and in return, I will love what I do. She has proved this advice to be true throughout my life, and through her career. I believe that with her by my side and with her guidance I will easily be able to accomplish this as well.

Here at Executive Elements, we like to feature fantastic women we think you should know. Some of these women are clients, some are friends, and 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: Laura Carfagna

My Current Job/Company: Director, Client Development at Forge Biologics

My Work: I work to develop relationships with potential clients/sponsors and help them to manufacture their gene therapies with Forge Biologics. I also serve as Program Advisor to She Forges women’s resource group at Forge Biologics.

My Passion: Making a difference through science, empathy, and kindness. Also, fashion.

My Family: My amazing husband Luciano and son Elio (1.5 years old).

My Hero or Heroes: Ruth Bader Ginsberg and both of my parents.

My Escape: Yoga. I discovered the practice about 20 years ago and love the movement meditation.

My Pet Peeve: Tardiness. I loathe being late, or when things don’t start on time. Being from an Italian family, this is a constant struggle.

My Indulgence: Dessert. Especially treats from Fox in the Snow and Little Ladies Soft Serve.

My Roots: I am an Italian American and married a fellow Italian American. Making pasta together with my family and enjoying delicious meals together is one of the greatest gifts. For us, food is a hug for the soul. My son also shares my love of pasta and is frequently asking for noodles at dinner time.

My Favorite Quote:  “You know who the happiest animal in the world is? A goldfish. Why? It’s got a 10-second memory, Be a goldfish” -Ted Lasso

My Accessory: A third layer: a jacket, scarf, or belt to complete the look.

My Advice to Young Women: Everything in life is a season and truly try to live in the present season and enjoy all the wonderful seasons of life.

How I Balance it All: Putting an intentional focus on whatever I am doing and being completely present in the moment. Whether it’s laughing and singing songs with my son at the dinner table or working on a project at Forge Biologics. Like Ruth Bader Ginsberg once said, “Each part of my life provided respite from the other and gave me a sense of proportion.”

Here at Executive Elements, we like to feature fantastic women we think you should know. Some of these women are clients, some are friends, and 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: Jen Oleski

My Work: I am the Executive Vice President, Managing Director of GSW. My job is to set the vision for our agency and inspire our staff of creative problem-solvers and storytellers to deliver best-in-class creativity, strategy, and customer experience for the healthcare clients we serve.

My Passion: Raising my two boys to be good humans

My Family: My husband and two boys, Cameron (15) and Dawson (12) plus our dog, Bruno – along with an amazing tribe of family and friends.

My Escape: Napa Valley

My Pet Peeve: Bad grammar, especially the misuse of their, there and they’re. (Who’s with me!?!?! 😊)

My Indulgence: Sleeping in on the weekend.

My Roots: Small-town upbringing where I was raised to work hard, be kind, and make myself proud.

My Future: Full of promise.

My Favorite Quote:  “It’s good to be successful but it’s great to be significant” (Lou Holtz)

My Accessory: Hair tie around my wrist and my favorite jean jacket.

My Advice to Young Women: Be a sponge – soak up every opportunity, wring out the stuff you don’t like, and go soak up more.

How I Balance it All: Proactivity, post-it notes, and my incredible husband who is a true partner in every sense.