#CINspirational
CINspirational People: Elaine Suess
CINspirational People is a feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. You can read more profiles by clicking on the link at the top of the blog. Do you know someone to suggest? Please reach out. Thanks!
Today, we are profiling Elaine Suess, a leadership coach and an organizational development consultant.
GTGA: What is an accomplishment you achieved that you are proud of?
Elaine: Starting my own business in 2006 after 20 years in corporate life is what comes to mind. I joke that if you live long enough, you might be able to do what you were “born for.” I feel like that’s where I am at this point. It’s beyond exciting to help my clients move actively toward positive change and what they feel is their potential, and then even move beyond it!
GTGA: Tell us about someone who has been a positive influence in your life.
Elaine: I’ll have to go beyond the singular here and turn this into “someones.” My parents have been the most positive influence. Hands down. They are so amazing I’m getting teary eyed just writing this!
GTGA: What is a motto you live by and why or how has it impact you?
Elaine: I don’t have just one motto, but a few that I love are: “The only way to predict the future is to create it” Peter Drucker. This aligns with one of my top strengths – Activator. Another is from Greg Boyle who works with “returning citizens,” who says, “Sometimes resilience arrives in the moment you discover your own unshakable goodness.” My belief in people’s innate goodness drive many of my choices and actions.
GTGA: What is your biggest motivator?
Activating the positive changes, growth and joy I see in the people I work with.
GTGA: Tell us about an act of kindness you have done, witnessed or been the recipient of and how that made you feel.
I am fortunate to mentor a number of individuals who have many challenges I’ve never had. I’m the lucky one here – I learn much from them and they regularly inspire me.
CINspirational People: Shawna O’Shea
CINspirational People is a feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. You can read more profiles by clicking on the link at the top of the blog. Do you know someone to suggest? Please reach out. Thanks!
GTGA Intern Liza Hartke spoke with Shawna O’Shea for today’s profile.
GTGA Intern Liza: What motto do you live by day to day?
Shawna: I really do not have a motto. Everyday is a gift from God. He is the most important thing in my life. There is a scripture I live by everyday. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.” Maybe that is my motto?
GTGA Intern Liza: Is there an experience that changed your life?
Shawna: Being diagnosed with cancer was definitely a life changer. I am a two time breast cancer survivor. The first diagnosis was January 2010. The doctor recommended lumpectomy and chemotherapy. I did lumpectomy and no chemotherapy. The second came in January of 2011. More aggressive. I had bilateral mastectomy, chemo, radiation, and finally reconstruction from February to August of 2012. A very busy year and a half. But I was blessed every step of the way. Blood counts stayed normal, I gained 10 pounds, no sickness with chemo, and all surgeries went great. I now am cancer free!
GTGA Intern Liza: What do you do as a volunteer for Oncology Hematology Care?
Shawna: I go on Fridays to help the nurses take care of the patients. I make sure the food and drinks are stocked. I personally go and try to spend time talking and meeting with each person. When you are in that situation, you feel more like a group than a single person. All of their sitting, waiting, and hurting. Some physically, some emotionally, some financially, some mentally, and some spiritually. I know I have been there and felt exactly what they are going through. If in that 4 hour window I can do something, that can help, I want to do it with all my might and strength.
GTGA Intern Liza: How can others volunteer?
Shawna: You can contact any OHC office and ask about their volunteer program.
GTGA Intern Liza: If you had three wishes, what would they be?
Shawna: I wish we could find a cure for all diseases. I wish that I could help every child in need no matter what the need would be. I wish I had enough money to take care of my loved ones so that they didn’t have to work or worry about finances ever. I want them to have fun and enjoy life.
GTGA Intern Liza: Who or what is your biggest motivator?
Shawna: My biggest motivator while I was in cancer treatment was the cancer itself. I was not going to be defeated. It was not going to take my life, my joy, or my peace. The bible says I am an overcomer. It was not going to steal away my dreams of seeing my children or grandchildren growing older. My husband was my rock. He lived our wedding vows over and over again. For richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. Even when I felt unattractive with no hair and multiple scars he always made me feel beautiful.
CINspirational People: Pat Frew
CINspirational People is a new feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. You can read more profiles by clicking on the link at the top of the blog. Do you know someone to suggest? Please reach out. Thanks!
In this feature we are profiling Pat Frew.
GTGA: What is an accomplishment you achieved that you are proud of?
Pat: I am grateful to have founded a free job transition support group that has met monthly for the past 15 years helping hundreds of people “between jobs” in sales, marketing and public relations find employment. I know for a fact that lives have been not only helped but changed through this process. I’ve found myself 
jobless many times in the past and this is my way of giving back. In fact for me it’s a ministry.
GTGA: Tell us about someone who has been a positive influence in your life.
Pat: There are many people. But right now I’d say it’s one of my best friends in the business world—Tom Tilmes, a commercial loan officer for Republic Bank. Tom knows probably more people in the Greater Cincinnati area than anyone. And he is a great example of someone who uses his relationship-building skills for good as he is one of the kindest, most helpful, most encouraging individuals I know.
GTGA: What is a motto you live by and why or how has it impact you?
Pat: My personal branding statement is Respected and Connected Communicator. I try to use my skills as a connector to be a blessing to others whether it’s at work, home, church or other avocational interests. And I enjoy being a part of a greater cause. I have a quote printed from motivational leader and author John Maxwell by my computer at work that sums it up pretty well: “I want to make a difference with people who want to make a difference doing something that makes a difference.”
GTGA: What is your biggest motivator?
Pat: I truly believe God has a purpose for my life, and I love people. And I am compelled by God’s Word to love others in the same way Christ demonstrated His love for me by dying on the cross for my sins. I try to model that in my family, to my loving wife Melanie of 30 years, to my four beautiful daughters, to work colleagues and to all my other contacts and friends. I was reading a passage in the Bible just today that speaks to this:
Then I was constantly at his side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind. Proverbs 8: 30-31
GTGA: Tell us about an act of kindness you have done, witnessed or been the recipient of and how that made you feel.
Pat: About 15 years ago I had a chance to compete in an iron man competition that was a 14-hour endurance event combining swimming, cycling and running. In training for that I decided to raise funds and support from friends to benefit a little ten year old NKY girl dying of cancer. In the end $10,000 was raised so little “Julia” could go on a memorable vacation with her parents and sister. She died about a year after the trip. I felt a strong sense of blessing in that God used me to shower love over that family in a time of intense sadness and loss that the family was already beginning to sense.
Pat is executive director of the Covington Business Council.
CINspirational People: Caleigh Willis
CINspirational People is a new feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them. You can read more profiles by clicking on the link at the top of the blog. Do you know someone to suggest? Please reach out. Thanks!
Today we are featuring Caleigh Willis, director of marketing for the Anthony Munoz Foundation.
GTGA: What is an accomplishment you achieved that you are proud of?
Caleigh: I don’t think I have had a singular moment in my life that has made me the most proud. As I reflect, I’m proud of the journey I took to get to where I am today. I am a mother, a wife and a member of one of the greatest communities around. I get to come to work and help make our city better; while in the process, work with some amazing people. I couldn’t imagine being in a better place.
GTGA: Tell us about someone who has been a positive influence in your life.
Caleigh: My mom has made such a positive impact on my life. She is the most hardworking person I have ever met, but is also equally the kindest. She has always unselfishly given and helped others. I think that’s where my passion for making a difference comes from. She always taught me to strive to be the best person I can be, in every aspect of my life.
GTGA: What is a motto you live by and why or how has it impact you?
Caleigh: I have two. My first is on my computer screen at work and says “ I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples-Mother Teresa”. I try to remember that every little act of kindness can make a difference in someone’s day, or even life. Where there is an opportunity to make someone smile, you should always do so!
The second is “Live with intent, and not out of habit”. This is my morning mantra. It’s so easy to get caught up in the repetitiveness of life. Sometimes I have to consciously make an effort to get out of my daily routine and try something new, see old friends, or visit a new place in our city. If I don’t, I feel like I’ll look back on life and regret the memories I didn’t make.
GTGA: What is your biggest motivator?
Caleigh: On a personal level it’s definitely my daughter. I find that I push myself to be a better person because I want to be the best role model I can be for her.
In a work atmosphere, it’s the kids that we meet and become part of our little Muñoz Foundation family. We have scholarship winners that have overcome such adversities, but never let that define them. Those kids motivate me to continue to do all that I can at the foundation in order to help more youth like them. I hope one day they all realize that they have made just as big of an impact in my life, as I may have made in theirs.
GTGA: Tell us about an act of kindness you have done, witnessed or been the recipient of and how that made you feel.
Caleigh: This was the last question I ended up answering because it’s truly the most difficult. I’m constantly surrounded by people who give tirelessly to others and think nothing of it. They don’t do it for the recognition or awards. They help our youth and surrounding communities because they care about the betterment of them. Every act of kindness I see from our volunteers, the youth we impact, or just general supporters makes me realize that there is so much positive in the world and every person is capable of adding to that.
GTGA: Tell us about what you do and what are some of the reasons why you enjoy it.
Caleigh: My title at the Anthony Muñoz Foundation is a little deceiving. I get to wear several different hats. I manage our internship program, develop and coordinate several of our Impact Programs including Whiz Kids and our two scholarship opportunities, as well as implement all program marketing plans. I feel truly blessed to be able to come to work for this foundation every day. This job gives me the opportunity to help make a difference in our community, while also pursuing my passion for marketing and communications. I would say that the one singular thing that I enjoy most is meeting the amazing people we have in our community. I’ve been impacted and become a better person by so many people I have met while working here. The foundation has made me realize what an amazing city we live in and I am so proud to call Cincinnati my home.
CINspirational People: Katie Walters
CINspirational People is a new feature of Good Things Going Around profiling diverse people of Greater Cincinnati, what inspires them, and what is inspiring about them.
Today we are featuring Katie Walters, promotions coordinator for Q102.
GTGA: What is an accomplishment you achieved that you are proud of?
Katie: I have two accomplishments that I’m proud of. First and foremost, being a mother and raising my children right. I have 13 and 12 year old boys, and I work very diligently in teaching them respect, hard work, and character. Secondly, I am proud of my position at Q102 radio. I first started working at Q when I was 18 years old, and always had a goal of being hired into my current position. I am very lucky and very fulfilled with both my children and career.
GTGA: Tell us about someone who has been a positive influence in your life.
Katie: Two people, no question. My mother, Sally Walters, has instilled values that I live by and she led by example. My mom represents and is the epitome of strength, courage, and unconditional love and is the best role model any daughter could have. Secondly, my boss, Patti Marshall. She has taught me the ins and outs of my career and set an example of a being a successful woman in the music industry. Patti is not only my boss and mentor, but she is also my friend. I would not be where I am today without the guidance, love, support, and encouragement from Patti.
GTGA: What is a motto you live by and why or how has it impact you?
Katie: Always, always be yourself and believe in yourself. Confidence is very empowering and only you can blaze your own path in life. Also, always be kind….you never know what someone else is going through.
GTGA: What is your biggest motivator?
Katie: Happiness. If you are happy with your job, family, and life in general, then waking up every day with a smile on your face is a gift.
GTGA: Tell us about an act of kindness you have done, witnessed or been the recipient of and how that made you feel.
Katie: I am a Board Member at the Brighton Center and I throw an 80s Party every February to benefit Brighton’s Recovery Center for Women (80% are recovering heroin addicts). The recovery ladies volunteer and help me set up the party. This year, I was able to have the Highland Country Club (party venue) donate a fancy lunch to the ladies. We all sat together and ate a served lunch on white tablecloths in the club’s dining room. The conversation consisted of past stories and choices made by everyone in the room. It really broke down a barrier and showed the women that people do care and they are of value. Just to see them treated nicely, eating a delicious lunch, and laughing made me almost cry from happiness. Each of those ladies matters and it reinforced why I throw the 80’s benefit party….because of them, not me.
GTGA: Tell us about what you do and what are some of the reasons why you enjoy it.
Katie: I am the promotions coordinator for Q102 radio. Essentially that means that I run “front of house” for Q102 and execute all events. Patti refers to me as “the station’s cheerleader.” I love my job because it’s different every day and I get to work incredible events and meet amazing people. The Q102 staff is family to me and I am very, very blessed in my career.
