Here at Executive Elements, we like to feature fantastic women 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Marcie Seidel

My Current Job/Company:
Executive Director, Drug Free Action Alliance

My Birthday:
07.02.1949

My Work:
I manage a statewide nonprofit agency with the mission to promote healthy lives through the prevention of substance abuse.

My Passion:
Praising God, loving my family and the mission of my job.

My Family:
Ed (loving husband), Michelle (beautiful daughter, her wonderful husband, Ian and my endearing grandchildren, Finn, 9, Beckett 7, Rourke 5, Cormac 2), Jennifer (beautiful daughter and her wonderful husband, Mark).

My Hero or Heroes:
My two daughters who are as talented, intelligent and kind as they are beautiful.

My Escape:
To the country with lush greenery, flowers and flowing creeks.

My Pet Peeve:
Those who say we can’t instead of saying let’s try.

My Indulgence:
Chocolate.

My Roots:
Modest, country, close immediate and extended family, grounded in church and civic participation.

My Future:
Busy trying to fit in all the wonderful things yet to be done or experienced.

My Favorite Quote:
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

My Accessory:
Scarves.

My advice to Young Women:
Let nothing stand in your way if the dream is worth having.

How I Balance it All:
Some days I don’t – healthy eating, consistent exercise and enough sleep help.

We think a lot about what makes women successful because, well, that’s our job! Each week we introduce you to a women we feel you should know. This week we decided to look at some common themes among these inspiring women.

We were blown away by some of the similarities among these women and what drives them.

Here are 5 common traits that most of our Women of the Week possess:

They know what renews them – and make sure to do that as often as they can. From beach vacations to yoga to taking a bubble bath, activities that help these women “escape” from the pressures of daily life keep them energized, and their stress at bay.

They recognize “Balance” is an ongoing effort – it’s never perfect and it’s important to keep working at it. Work life balance isn’t an achievement; it’s something you constantly have to manage. Some days will be up and some days will be down, but that’s part of the process..

They stay away from negativity and people who complain. An overwhelming amount of our Women of the Week say their pet peeves have to do with negative, judgmental people.

They make time for physical activity. We all know regular exercise has many of benefits but most of our Women of the Week do it regularly, helping reduce stress, increase mental clarity and make them feel their best.

They recognize the importance of kindness and helping others. This is another overwhelming theme among our Women of the Week. They either told us their passion includes helping others, their heroes illustrate kindness or they include the importance of kindness and supporting others in their advice to young women.

We are so honored to know and learn from these incredible women in our community, don’t you agree?

Here at Executive Elements, we like to feature fantastic women 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Jaime Franklin
 
My Current Job/Company:
Senior Manager, IT Business Solutions Delivery/IGS Energy
 
My Birthday:
12.27.75
 
My Work:
I lead a team of amazing IT professionals to provide technical solutions that support and enable our business. From projects to production support, we pour passion into our jobs because we truly love and believe in IGS.
  
My Passion:
My daughter, my family, my faith and wellness.
 
My Family:
Ryan (my 9 year old confident, caring, competitive daughter!).
 
My Hero or Heroes:
My mother, Betty, the strongest and most selfless woman I’ve ever met.

My Escape:
Tropical places. Nothing relaxes me like sunny days, amazing sunsets, and completely disconnecting from “reality” for a few days!
 
My Pet Peeve:
Complaining without proposing a solution, fake people and BAD drivers.
 
My Indulgence:
Wine.

My Roots:
I was raised on a farm outside a very small West Virginia town where our “family team” worked hard at everything we did. My parents taught me to be humble, disciplined, passionate, driven and purposeful.
 
My Future:
Is up to God and me. It’s going to be great!
 
My Favorite Quote:
“No one is you and that is your biggest power. It’s YOUR VOICE. Cherish it. Respect it. Nurture it. Challenge it.” (Dave Grohl)
 
My Accessory:
My smile & my “BALANCE” tattoo.
 
My advice to Young Women:
The world will never stop trying to mold you into what it believes you should be, how  you should behave, how you should look, how you should speak, how you should “mother”, how you should live. A lot of great advice will come your way, and you should listen with an open mind. But at the end of the day, be you and believe in that.  
 
How I Balance it All:
I like to ask “what bad thing will happen if I don’t do this?” then go from there. I also have incredible support from my mother and my team.

Here at Executive Elements, we like to feature fantastic women 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Sabree Akinyele

My Current Job/Company:
Vice President of Programs/Catholic Social Services

My Birthday:
06.04.1954

My Work:
I lead a team that implements programs that help families thrive and seniors live independent and connected lives. Together with the CEO, I am responsible for visioning and operationalizing the mission through excellent programs and collaborative efforts in order to maximize positive impact for our clients and the community.

My Passion:
Developing a deeper relationship with God, working for social justice and loving my family and friends.

My Family:
I have friends who have become my extended family.

My Hero or Heroes:
My parents. Rosa Parks, and Mother Teresa

My Escape:
A day spent around water. Water renews and refreshes my spirit.

My Pet Peeve:
Individuals who are intolerant.

My Indulgence:
Dark chocolate — in any form!

My Roots:
Urban. Fun family oriented activities. Faith filled.

My Future:
Open to all possibilities!

My Favorite Quote:
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

My Accessory:
I love to wear scarves as wraps, belts and head wraps add a touch a red lipstick and I’m ready to go.

My advice to Young Women:
Look in the mirror and when you can be alone in your “nakedness” then you will know that you have the greatest gift of self-love and acceptance.

How I Balance it All:
My friends. Staying grounded in my faith and knowing when to say no.

Here at Executive Elements, we like to feature fantastic women 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 women who have agreed to share with us their insights and secrets to success.

My Name:
Susan DiMickele

My Current Job/Company:
Partner and Practice Leader, Squire Patton Boggs

My Birthday:
1/19/70

My Work:
I co-lead a global practice group comprising of more than 125 lawyers in 13 countries; primarily responsible for US operations. I work with a very dedicated team and love promoting and retaining talented women and men.

My Passion:
Leading others to their full potential in my home, work, and community.

My Family:
Doug (High School Sweetheart, husband of 23 years), Nick (“know it all” teenager- 14), Anna (sweet middle child – 12) and Abby (my “baby” – 9).

My Hero or Heroes:
Wonder Woman was literally my hero as a child. Now that I’m older as wiser, my hero is definitely my mother (81, newly widowed, still does aerobics, Pilates, and swimming three days a week).

My Escape:
Pandora and a bubble bath.

My Pet Peeve:
People who get bored with life.

My Indulgence:
Dark chocolate, red wine, and coffee.

My Roots:
Work hard. Don’t complain. Walk by faith. Tomorrow will be even better.

My Future:
The sky is the limit.

My Favorite Quote:
Too many to count! This verse has become very meaningful to me this year: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6)

My Accessory:
My iPhone.

My advice to Young Women:
Don’t quit when it gets hard. Push through the challenges and don’t give up.

How I Balance it All:
One day at a time. Breathe. Pray. Admit your mistakes and move on. Perfection is the enemy of good!