Community Health Chats - Empower Her: The Perfectly Imperfect You
presented by The Harding-Buller Foundation and hosted by The Peggy R McConnell Arts Center
The Harding-Buller Foundation of Worthington is honored to partner with the Peggy R. McConnell Arts Center of Worthington and the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce to present the next Community Health Chat introducing Empower Her: The Perfectly Imperfect You. This chat is bringing together five amazing women who are dynamic leaders and inspiring changemakers. Please join us as they share their stories on what brought them to where they are today, what empowers them, and what is the perfectly imperfect you.
Jamie Barlett, Founder/Owner PolyPay: Jamie grew up in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and Saint Louis, Missouri. She attended Wellesley College in Wellesley, Massachusetts where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Economics. Graduating just before the Tech Bubble of 2000, she worked as a Marketing Specialist for enhanciv, a virtual CRM company in Irvine, California. After a year and a half with the company and the uncertainty in the technology markets, Jamie continued to work in smaller management roles while she earned her MBA with an emphasis on International Business at Pepperdine University: one of the first programs in the nation with an ethics-based MBA Program. Jamie joined Accenture Consulting and worked within its technical verticals, participating in projects for Kaiser Permanente, Southwestern Bell, Hitachi, Pacific Gas and Electric, AT&T and Cisco.
Jennifer Cochran, Assistant Chief of EMS & Community Risk Reduction of Worthington: As a child I always admired Firefighter/Paramedics. I remember visiting the fire station and seeing the emergency vehicles whisk away to help someone. I wanted to be just like them! It was an easy choice to pick a career field that was focused on public service because I enjoy helping people and being busy. Having a job that fills me up and gives me purpose is very empowering. I have learned over the last 30 years that working in public safety is not only fulfilling but it will deplete your own physical and mental well-being. I lost myself along the way and became friends, wife, mother and a family member that nobody recognized as Jeny. I was supposed to be the strong leader that people expected, at least that’s what I thought. I was exhausted, confused, and my tank was empty. We as First Responders cannot provide care from a place of empathy and kindness if we are worn down or lost ourselves. I was able to bounce back because I have a wonderful spouse, family, co-workers, and friends that were honest with me and knew that the person they knew was still there. I was used to being the caregiver so it was really challenging to let others help me. I learned to be vulnerable; I worked on mending the relationships that I had trampled over including the relationship I had with myself. Therapy, meditation, and support from my family, friends, and First Responder peers helped me along the journey. I am still on this journey. I have been practicing yoga for fourteen years and teaching yoga/meditation for almost seven years. It has taught me that I can reconnect to myself on my mat, meet myself where I am in the moment and find calm if I practice regularly. Guiding others through restorative yoga and meditation is a way I can share yoga with others so they can reconnect also. No matter what your profession is, it is important to nurture yourself so that you can be present and available for others.
Monica Dupee, City Manager of Westerville: Monica’s career journey has seen her serve in pivotal roles such as Executive Director of a Downtown Development Authority, Assistant to the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and ultimately, City Manager. Monica has been recognized by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) with the Early Career Leadership Award, "Ones to Watch" by Cleveland Magazine, and a Revitalization Award from Heritage Ohio. Over the last three years, Monica has obtained a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida, became a Certified Futurist through the Futurist Institute, obtained a Certificate in Strategy Execution for Harvard Business School Online, and became a credentialed City Manager though ICMA. Monica remains steadfast in her mission to serve as a steward of public interest, making a meaningful impact on the communities she has privileged to work with. Outside of work, Monica is a wife and mother raising 4-year-old Noah and 2 year old Stevie with her wonderful husband Steve. Steve also has two grown daughters, Hanna and Jessica, that Monica has the privilege of knowing and supporting.
Rachel Ray, Economic Development Director of Worthington: Rachel is responsible for administering the City's business retention, expansion and attraction programs; managing economic development and incentive projects; and implementing the City's economic development strategy. Prior to making the move to Westerville in June 2021, Rachel worked for the City of Dublin for fourteen years in Planning and Economic Development roles. Rachel holds a Master of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University. She currently serves as Immediate Past President of the American Planning Association, Ohio Chapter Board of Trustees and Treasurer for the Mid-Ohio Development Exchange (MODE) Board of Trustees.
Robyn Stewart, City Manager of Worthington: Robyn assists the City Council in determining strategic priorities and initiatives and directs their implementation. She oversees the city government’s operations, prepares the City’s operating and capital budgets and appoints City employees. She has served as City Manager since April and previously served as Acting City Manager and Assistant City Manager. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Wittenberg University and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Kansas.