Dublin-Worthington News Stories

Membership Spotlight: Teresa Russell

By Sunday, November 14, 2021
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Advancing the Leadership Mindset
Finding Success in the Success of Others
Paul Cynkar, March, 2021
This is another in a series of member profiles based on discovery interview questions that were designed to get an up close view of the traits and strengths of the members who provide leadership to this organization.
 
Membership Spotlight:  Teresa Russell
Developing and Maximizing Relationships
 
Tell us about yourself.  Give us three facts that include information about your family, your career and your pastimes
I grew up in Canton, Ohio and I have many memories of Massillon football and the NFL Hall of Fame.  I moved to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University.  After graduation I started my career in staffing and employment services.  Later I moved in financial planning.  Today I live in Powell and I love to play golf.  I will be Dublin-Worthington Rotary Club president in 2022.

How long have you belonged to Rotary?  What’s the best thing about membership?
I was an active Rotarian from 2003 to 2008 then took a break.  I rejoined with the encouragement of Roe Mauro and John Butterfield in 2018.  I’m happy to be back!

As you look back on your life and your career, where and when did you have the biggest impact on others?  Who was impacted and how?
It was in staffing and employment services.  I helped many clients navigate the complexities of a job and career search.  It’s great to see many of them thriving in positions that I helped them find. 

As you look back, which of the opportunities you’ve had has been the most fulfilling to you personally?  Why?
It’s what I do now…family financial planning.  I see it as an opportunity to help change lives.  Building long-term relationships is the most fulfilling part for me.

Describe the most challenging project you’ve ever worked on.  What was your role?  What was the result?
Early in my career I worked for a creative staffing company that that provided soft skill training to its IT clients.  This was innovative for the time.  This company also focused on hiring ex-military individuals as managers.  At one point I found myself reporting to bosses who were steeped in military protocols.  For me that was a challenge.

What are some things you are passionate about?  What really excites you? What gets your adrenalin flowing?  What makes your heart sing?
I really like entrepreneurship, especially from people who are driven by success.  One example is Crazy Richard’s Peanut Butter.  This business is really taking off!  I truly enjoy serving as a mentor to Women in the Small Business Network.  I also love working with high school students.  I find success in the success of others.

What are you especially skilled at?  What is something that others often tell you that they think makes you stand out?
I have a number of strengths but I’m probably the master of none.  That said, people tell me that I am good at making friends, building relationships and not burning bridges.  The truth is that I’m somewhat shy.

When you have a moment to sit back and think (dream) about your future, what do you think about?
Oh to travel again…My list includes Italy, Africa and Turks and Caicos.  There’s a million places I’d like to go. 

If you could choose anyone (alive or deceased) to have lunch with, who would it be? Why?
I had trouble narrowing it down to one so I’ve identified three.  There’s always time for a good lunch especially if your lunch partner is:
       1. Queen Elizabeth – I’d love to hear her stories and talk about the challenges she has faced.
       2. Warren Buffett – Given that he’s a financial genius, I’d want to know how he got that way.
       3. George Washington – He was a trail blazer.  He was willing to take risks and go in a path that was not
           already there.

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