Phenomenal Woman Magazine MAY-JUNE 2022

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DR. FRANCESKA JONES PRESIDENT JONES CONSULTING FIRM

JANELLE HINKLE PROJECT EXECUTIVE REGENCY CONSTRUCTION SERVICES

RENEE TRAMBLE RICHARD GENERAL COUNSEL - CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE

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Beletu (Belé) Wondwossen Founder / Publisher

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Shelley M. Shockley Managing Editor

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Writers Shelley M. Shockley Marsha Walker Eastwood Brittany Garrett Rhonda Crowder

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Cover Story: Shelley Shockley Photo: Jason Garrett Contributing Writers Rhonda Crowder Michelle Phillips Fay Marianna Marron Letitia Nall Stephanie Phelps Kimberly Smith-Woodford

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All rights reserved ISSN 2330-2534 (Print) ISSN 2330-2550 (Online) Material may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form of this publication without prior permission from the publisher. Produced and printed in OHIO, USA.

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From the Editor: Shelley M. Shockley

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A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE, LET'S WORK TO SAVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE As I began thinking about this column, a vision of the late great Lou Rawls's came to me and I could hear that deep baritone proclaiming, “A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste,” which for years was the tagline for the United Negro College Fund. It's only fitting because this is our annual Education edition. The academic year is coming to a close for most and we are celebrating the achievements of those we love.

Despite experiencing many setbacks in her own career, Dr. Jones continued to push forward knowing the answer was out there as long as she had faith. With the grounding her parents offered and the support of her husband, she established her firm with the mission to “promote the sustainability and growth across the nation by supporting education, nonprofits and training leaders.” Dr. Jones is armed with a love of education and an understanding of its transformative power. Take a moment to read this feature and learn more about Jones Consulting, and how the sacrifices her parents made for her propelled her to want to do for others.

It's especially exciting for me this year as I have several loved ones reaching academic milestones - many cousins, a great-nephew and a Godson are completing that first big chapter as they receive high school diplomas and enter into the world of “adulthood.” I always meet those proclamations of “I'm an adult,” with a statement of my own, “Be careful what you ask for.” I remember that feeling of independence, and I also remember that feeling of anxiety when the “rubber met the road,” and I was truly an adult. As these youngsters begin to venture out into the world, I ask that we as a village offer them the congratulations, but also provide them with sage wisdom that they will probably discount now, but prayerfully it will remain with them and they can draw on it when they need it the most.

After completing secondary education many still believe that the next step has to be college, but the vast majority of young people are not looking to college for a variety of reasons. One of the most crippling reasons is cost.

According to educationdata.org, the average cost of college to a 4-year post-secondary school offering an undergraduate degree in the United States is $35,331 per year including books, supplies, and daily living expenses.

While it's a little less in Ohio at $22,388, that is still a lot for most families.

I would be remiss if I didn't note the graduation of my niece from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology! We are extremely proud of our Mechanical Engineer and are rooting for her continued success and advancement professionally.

The young people I have mentioned should all be okay, but there are so many young people who are left behind and the brilliant minds they were gifted with are being wasted.

They are wasted for many reasons, and none of them are satisfactory. As a collective, it is our job as a community to afford the least of us an opportunity to thrive. We are missing the mark.

The graphic headlines touting another senseless act of violence in so many instances perpetrated by a young person illustrates our failure. The problems are many, and the answers are just as plentiful, but the collaboration is lacking.

In this edition we introduce you to women who are doing their part to make a difference in the lives of young people by leading them to opportunities to elevate their minds, while earning an honest living.

Leaning on the Lord for guidance and direction is Dr. Franceska Jones, president of Jones Consulting Firm.

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The good news is that students have options and our feature on Janelle Hinkle offers some insight into the construction trades. Hinkle, a civil engineer with Regency Construction Services took the collegiate route, but her passion is introducing young people to the construction industry as a prospective career. The industry, much like many others is facing an aging workforce and through her involvement with the ACE Mentor Program, she is working to mentor young people by giving them insight into an advancing industry in need of young talent. If you have young people in your homes with a knack for taking things apart and putting them back together, a career in the trades may be their ticket.

Renee Richard, General Counsel for Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) has accomplished many things in her life, and her journey exemplifies the importance of being open to change. When we begin our career path there is nothing written in stone that says you can't change the course along the way. As a college graduate, Richard entered the business world as an Accountant because of her love for math, but soon learned she wanted to do more. Read more about her journey and how she navigated through obstacles to achieve success.

As always I hope you enjoy and learn something helpful from inside the pages of this magazine. We would love to hear your feedback, and look forward to bringing you more Phenomenal Women in the next edition, until then be well, be blessed, and be a blessing to someone else.

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COVER 04

A MIND IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE, LET'S WORK TO SAVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE Shelley M. Shockley

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CLEVELAND NATIVE TAMIKA COBB BATTLES CYBER THREATS FOR U.S. NAVY

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TRI-C JAZZ FEST JUNE LINE-UP

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UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL INFIDELITY AND ITS EFFECT ON RELATIONSHIPS

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RENEE TRAMBLE RICHARD

FEATURES DR. FRANCESKA JONES grew up in Cleveland's BuckeyeShaker neighborhood. Her dad and mom worked at the famous Hough Bakeries until the company abruptly closed on August 8, 1992.

In search of a better school for their daughter, the family moved to Cleveland Heights, where young Jones enrolled in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School.

As a young girl growing up in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood, the automotive industry and steel mills were fueling the dreams of Renee Tramble Richard's parents and neighbors. She remembers two-parent households, and most of the parents worked as laborers. Her father was a sheet metal worker at White Motor Company, while her mother was a bookkeeper at Sterling Linder Department Store, famously remembered for its beautiful Christmas Tree displays.

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JANELLE HINKLE a dedicated civil engineer, serves as Project Executive at Regency Construction Services.

The construction company founded nearly three decades ago operates out of its offices in Brook Park and Columbus, and has successfully completed hundreds of projects for public and private clients PAGE across Ohio.

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CLEVELAND NATIVE

TAMIKA COBB BATTLES CYBER THREATS FOR U.S. NAVY

By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office of Community Outreach Retired Chief Petty Officer Tamika Cobb, a native of Cleveland, Ohio, protects America from cyber threats as a member of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command.

Information technology advances at a staggering pace.

Practically all major systems on ships, aircraft, submarines, and unmanned vehicles are networked to some degree. This includes most combat, communications, engineering, and navigation systems.

While connectivity provides the military with speed, agility, and precision, it also opens numerous attack opportunities for adept cyber adversaries.

Cobb attended East Technical High School and graduated in 1998. Today, Cobb uses skills and values similar to those learned in Cleveland.

“I learned to work hard, be a team player and respect everyone,” said Cobb.

Today, Cobb plays a crucial role in defending against cyber threats in support of the command's mission to collect, analyze and report on communication signals using computers, specialized computer-assisted equipment, and video display terminals.

According to Navy officials, networks are under continuous threats of attack by a broad array of state actors, terrorist organizations, 'hacktivist' groups, organized crime, and individual hackers. Motivations include personal gain, information theft, discrediting the United States, sabotage, political gain, denial or degradation of the Navy's access to cyberspace.

“As leaders and experts in Information Warfare, our sailors and civilians are at the forefront of disrupting the ability of bad actors to execute their plans, which often degrade U.S. interests,” said Vice Admiral Ross Myers, commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command and U.S. 10th Fleet. “Because of our workforce and their world class skills and dedication to service, today's Navy has the agility, tactical skills, advanced technologies and innovative mindset to succeed. Alongside our sister services, Fleet Cyber Command is on the frontlines to thwart malicious efforts in cyberspace – we are engaged against adversaries, around the globe and around the clock – 24/7/365.”

That's why the work being done by Cobb is so important.

Serving in the Navy means Cobb is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America's focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.

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Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amber Weingart

“The Navy defends the sea to enhance national security,” said Cobb.

With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world's international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

Cobb and the sailors they serve with have many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during their military service.

“The thing I'm most proud of is the appreciation my sailors showed,” said Cobb. “They often thanked me for teaching them what they needed to know and for being there when they needed me. These are the memories I cherish most from my time serving in the Navy.”

As Cobb and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.

“Serving in the Navy means being dedicated and committed to service 24/7,” added Cobb. "Even though I no longer wear the uniform, as a Navy civilian I'm honored to support the active duty and reserve force doing whatever is required to successfully complete the mission.”

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Dr. Franceska Jones, LIGHT IN THE FIGHT FOR EDUCATING OUR YOUTH Deeply grateful to her parents, she said, “My dad and mom worked multiple jobs to make ends meet which is a debt I can never repay but show continuous gratitude each day.

Watching my parents' work ethic and love for my education allowed me to develop a deep love for education and the possibilities that it provided for me to change the trajectory of my family by my pursuits.”

Following graduation from high school, Jones enrolled at The Ohio State University where she earned a bachelor's degree combining Business, Economics and Political Science. Coupled with the support young Jones and her family received from nonprofit organizations during challenging times and a strong commitment to make a positive impact in her community, she developed an interest early-on to start, lead and manage nonprofit organizations.

“When you learn, teach When you get, give” -Maya Angelou It's been eight years since we lost the renowned poet and author Maya Angelou but her works continue to inspire many people around the world. A huge advocate for education, she reminded us of our responsibilities to the young people in navigating them to be better citizens.

The wise words of Dr. Angelou have been ingrained in the minds of Phenomenal Women, who despite the odds being stacked against them, have not only succeeded in their life and work, but they made it their business to exert a positive impact on the next generation. Joining this group of Phenomenal Women is a woman of faith and proud Clevelander, Dr. Franceska Jones, President of Jones Consulting firm.

Jones grew up in Cleveland's Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood. Her dad and mom worked at the famous Hough Bakeries until the company abruptly closed on August 8, 1992. In search of a better school for their daughter, the family moved to Cleveland Heights, where young Jones enrolled in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School. Mindful of her parents' sacrifices, she put in hard work and excelled in her studies along with running track and instrumental music.

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Accordingly, Jones returned to her home town of Cleveland, entered John Carroll University and graduated with a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Administration. During her time at the University, she worked in several nonprofits and post-secondary institutions and felt it necessary to take the next step to pursue her doctorate in Higher Education Leadership. Recently, she graduated from Morgan State University with a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership with a specialization on Community College Leadership. As a first in her immediate family to pursue graduate degrees, she hopes she sets an example for others.

Prior to starting her own business, Dr. Jones had a multifaceted career, all of them geared towards building a stronger community. She started as an intern with the Ohio Secretary of State that allowed her to learn more about her state and its communities. She also worked and contributed to the mission of several nonprofit organizations that were primarily related to youth. Her deep passion to help students reach their potential led her to working in high schools and advanced to working in multiple colleges in the area and regionally.

Having worked in these organizations, Dr. Jones obtained extensive experience and recalled, “Everything came full circle on how I could use my expertise in my civic duties, education and nonprofits to help build stronger communities.”

While her accomplishment has been exemplary, her journey was not all smooth sailing. “Honestly, I worked for some organizations that were run by people who did not see my education and experience as an enhancement to their organization but a threat in many circumstances. I watched the same happen to my husband and it was a vicious cycle for many years,” Dr. Jones said. “In the midst of that, our faith in God willed us through unjust terminations, workplace bullying and abuse. I truly believe that the Lord is within me and he will not let me fall (Psalms 46:5), that he has plans to prosper me not to harm me and that there is purpose for my life.”

Thanks to her spirituality and a strong backing from her family, she has managed to cross several hurdles along the way. For Dr. Jones, the life-giving substance and top priority is family. She said, “I have been blessed with an amazing life partner in my husband Rudolph Jones III who has an entrepreneurial spirit. We fuel each other to defy odds and create! In 2014, my husband and I opened our first business Tax Solutions Inc. a tax preparation service that is now in its 8th year of business and thriving.”

A culmination of over ten years of college and career advising/training experience, over ten years in nonprofit management and grant experience, and a determination to start her own business led to the birth of Jones Consulting Firm. With a mission to “promote the

sustainability and growth across the nation by supporting education, nonprofits and training leaders,” Jones Consulting Firm has three pillars of service. i) College and career advising to students in middle school through doctoral studies, assistance with college admissions, career development, job search and preparation, and workforce development. ii) Nonprofit operations and fundraising support, start-up activities, program design and fundraising including grant writing. iii)Career development training through the National Career Development Association.

According to Dr Jones, concerted efforts are necessary to improve success rates for girls and students of color.

“Institutions have to acknowledge those students as an important stakeholder in their institutions first. Once they acknowledge these students, support services can be developed to eliminate barriers to success. Now, there are many programs that currently exist but aren't properly evaluated for effectiveness thus many students are not being served yet millions of dollars are spent,” she said.

“Training professionals who serve girls and students of color and research is vital to the improvement of success rates. There is a critical need to research students of color and girls to truly find out about the populations and find methods especially for them, not reusing or assuming that methods that work for others will work for them.”

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As a professional who spent a considerable part of her career in higher education, Dr. Jones advocates and calls for meaningful support to community colleges. Investment in students is an investment in the future of our communities.

The role that community colleges play in generating economic and social benefits has been well documented. She explained, “Community colleges have a deep history of serving the members of the community with affordable post-secondary options. At some point the local community college has provided education, training, certificates or programs to you or someone you know. It is now time for the community to support them. The funding for community colleges dwindles year after year, with less and less state and local appropriations. There is a huge need for donations to these institutions.” She encourages communities to make donations to community colleges to sustain their operations and enable them to deliver much needed services.

A woman of deep faith, Dr. Jones always starts with morning devotions and prayer followed by a marathon race to get her toddler up and dressed for homeschool. Along with her husband, they teach their daughter before commencing their work, and their afternoons consist of work with an occasional walking break with the three of them. Dr Jones is grateful to the opportunities she has received over the years and thanks numerous people who have supported her to be a better person.

“I am first and foremost influenced by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his word grounds and guides me in all that I do.

Secondly, my husband is my best friend and business partner and without him things would not be right.” She continued, “My first mentors were my grandmothers. My paternal grandmother Fannie Mae Perkins had a love for God and family that left a lasting legacy from the prayers she prayed. Though she had little education she knew its importance and instilled it in her children and grandchildren. My maternal grandmother Sandra Corbett was a trailblazing career woman who displayed strength and tenacity.”Professionally, she looks up to Dr. Glenda Glover, President of Tennessee State University, and also the International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.

Among other responsibilities, she serves as a member of the Leadership Council for the Cleveland Leadership Center and a Board Trustee for the Fair Housing Center for Rights and Research. Jones Consulting Firm is rapidly growing especially in nonprofit operations and fundraising support. Moving forward, the firm plans to expand services into Southern Africa and the Caribbean in the areas of nonprofit and career development.

In conclusion, the certified national trainer with the National Career Development Association, Dr. Jones said, “There was purpose in my pain, and trusting God proved to be the best course of action for me. I am committed to serving others through my work. Setting an example for my daughter and being a reflection of my faith to all that I meet. My hope is that I can bring my God given talent to the areas of the world that need it the most.”

For more information, visit: thejonesconsultingfirm.com

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Janelle Hinkle PROJECT EXECUTIVE, REGENCY CONSTRUCTION SERVICES would be an easier next step to work towards an MBA after graduation.”

Her interest in math and science coupled with a strong backing from her dad led her to study civil engineering. Hinkle put in hard work and earned her civil engineering degree from the University of Notre Dame. Reflecting on her achievement, she said, “I did not have any hesitation entering a male-dominated field after spending three summers working at a Boy Scout camp managing camp counselors.”

“An engineer is a problem solver. Not only can engineering be used to solve problems, but engineers can work to “make the world a better place, improve conditions and improve lives.”

— Eleanor K. Baum Janelle Hinkle, a dedicated civil engineer, serves as Project Executive at Regency Construction Services.

The construction company founded nearly three decades ago operates out of its offices in Brook Park and Columbus, and has successfully completed hundreds of projects for public and private clients across Ohio.

“As a child, I was always building things from Lego structures and pillow forts, to Rube Goldberg machines made of anything I could find in our house. I debated between pursuing an engineering degree or a business degree.” Hinkle says. “My father wisely suggested that if I obtained an engineering degree in undergrad that it 12 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2022

Hinkle entered the workforce after graduation, working for two years, before continuing her studies at John Carroll University through the Part-time MBA program. She completed the two year program with a Masters in Business Administration.

Civil engineering is a broad technical field that deals with the design, construction and maintenance of various structures including bridges, highways, water structures, and buildings, to name a few. Her interest in the construction industry emanated from her college studies at Notre Dame. “Through Notre Dame, I was able to shadow multiple different firms and was drawn to the construction industry. I loved being able to see projects progress and the constant problem solving required to complete them,” Hinkle said. She continued, “Although I have often been one of the only (or the only) woman in the room on multiple occasions, I find that if you can listen and intelligently share your thoughts, you can be successful. I have not looked back since I decided construction was the right career path for me.”

In between her junior and senior year of college, Hinkle interned at Regency Construction Services before coming on board full-time after graduation. She enjoys working at the construction company, and recognizes Tari Rivera, founder and owner, as a great mentor, who has helped shape her career stating “I have progressed from an assistant project engineer to project engineer to assistant project manager to project manager and recently to project executive.

Working for a female owned company under Tari Rivera has given me ample growth opportunities over the past decade and has been a perfect job fit for me.”

As Project Executive with Regency Construction Services, Hinkle is responsible for staff management as well as for the cost, schedule and quality of construction projects from the initial contract award to full completion and close-out. On a typical day, she visits a job site, works through options of how to solve a problem with contractors, presents a budget to an owner, and networks with other industry professionals.

Hinkle is also a member of Regency's safety committee which works to ensure staff are performing at the highest level of safety which includes spreading awareness of industry wide areas of concern, such as health and drug addiction. To meet these critical objectives, Hinkle spends long hours daily communicating with stakeholders including her internal team, dozens of superintendents, architects, engineers, owners and their representatives.

Various studies indicate that the construction industry suffers from a lack of adequate and qualified staff as demand far outpaces the supply. A model developed by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC),

revealed that the construction industry will need to attract nearly 650,000 additional workers on top of the normal pace of hiring in 2022 to meet the demand for labor.

To bridge the construction skills gap, Hinkle proposes introducing students to the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering fields as early as possible. She said, “Many high school students do not realize the opportunities from being a carpenter to project manager to engineer – there are so many opportunities for well-paying, stable jobs!”

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To play her fair share of contributions to these objectives, Hinkle actively participates in exemplary programs such as the Construction Employers Association's ACE program. The ACE Mentor Program 'helps to prepare high school students for careers in architecture, engineering, and construction.' Through mentoring by industry professionals, its mission to engage and enlighten high school students is achieved, and supports their continued advancement in the industry.

“I've had the opportunity to participate in the ACE program for the past nine years which has been truly rewarding. I've been a mentor, lead mentor, board member, and currently chair of the education committee. It is critical to get students introduced to the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering fields as early as possible.”

Since its inception in 2008, the Cleveland affiliate of the ACE Mentor Program has provided more than $1.2 million in scholarships to over 180 students and guided more than 1,600 students through the program. ACE works in partnership with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), Warrensville Heights and Shaker Heights High Schools and approximately 120 volunteers from more than 70 local firms in the design, engineering, and construction industries participate in the program.

“During the school year, ACE students work on a Request For Proposal (RFP) that mimics what a team would need to present to an owner. They must think through planning, design, and construction before they present to 50-100 students, teachers, and industry professionals at the end of the year. There are a number of students who have participated in ACE, graduated from college or apprenticeship programs, and now are working full-time and mentoring the next class of ACE students,” Hinkle says. She further said, “It is critical for the future of the industry to continue this cycle especially with the high number of the most experienced professionals retiring in the not-toodistant future. I have had the privilege of continuing to mentor one of my past ACE students as she works to complete her construction degree in college.”

One of the unique aspects of construction is that every day brings new challenges as no two days in construction are the same. Hinkle is excited about facing these challenges and solving daily problems is one of her favorite parts about the industry. She utilizes her engineering and business skills to alleviate the problems.

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construction industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, women accounted for only eleven percent of the construction workforce in 2021.

To inspire more women and minorities to join the construction workforce, Hinkle says, “It is critical to introduce all children to STEM fields early and reinforce that the career paths can be fulfilled by anyone with the motivation to pursue it. It is also important for students to see people that look like them in the industry.

Mentoring programs like ACE are great opportunities for that to happen.”

Hinkle is grateful to the numerous mentors and colleagues who helped her navigate the challenges and achieve her current level of success. In particular, she cited her mentor Tari Rivera, founder and President of Regency Construction Services.

She said, “Tari founded Regency Construction 28 years ago out of her house and has grown it into the successful organization it is today. She takes the time daily to share her experience and insight into how to be a successful female leader in the construction industry.” She continued, “Tari originally encouraged me to participate in the ACE program and I hope to follow her example and continue to be involved in multiple nonprofit organizations in addition to being a construction industry leader.”

With all her responsibilities that seek timely responses, the natural question is how does she attain work-life balance? “I don't believe there is an attainable concept of work-life balance which infers that personal and professional life be equally balanced. I instead prefer the idea of work-life integration, choosing to prioritize yearly, weekly, and daily what is most important to me and how those goals can be intertwined.” Hinkle said.

“Completing my job and furthering my career is critical to me but not at the expense of my personal health and well-being. I ensure that I remain active, maintain relationships with my friends and family, and take at least a few minutes to decompress each day. With the birth of my first son Owen in December, it's become even more important to make sure I am prioritizing what is most important each day.”

To those interested in pursuing a career in engineering, she said, “Go for it! The construction industry is a dynamic, exciting place to continue to learn and develop. No matter what path is chosen, it is critical to develop relationships along the way. There's always someone more experienced to learn from, and I've discovered the best way to figure out what you don't yet know is to learn from those that do.” <

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Photos: JASON GARRETT 16 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2022

TRI-C GENERAL COUNSEL

RENEE TRAMBLE RICHARD

TAKES A LONGER PATH, YET STAYS TRUE TO SELF

By Shelley Shockley PWM MANAGING EDITOR As a young girl growing up in Cleveland's Hough neighborhood, the automotive industry and steel mills were fueling the dreams of Renee Tramble Richard's parents and neighbors. She remembers two-parent households, with most parents working as laborers. Her father was a sheet metal worker at White Motor Company, while her mother was a bookkeeper at Sterling Linder Department Store, famously remembered for its beautiful Christmas Tree displays, before finishing her career at General Motors.

Ms. Richard attended Cleveland's public school system, where she excelled and graduated in the top ten of her East High School class. One of her favorite subjects was math, and because she had a natural penchant for it, her parents encouraged her to study Accounting in college.

Following their advice, and her older sister to Kent State University, Richard majored in Accounting.

Early in her collegiate career, she would learn that things were a little more challenging in college while she excelled at East High School. She said of that first year at Kent, “At the time, it was interesting. I was the only black person in my Accounting classes for sure. Generally, in my business classes, I was the only African American; with only one other at the most. I would be only one of two or three women in my business classes. It was a different time, being the sole minority in a white, male-dominated field.”

Despite the lack of representation, Richard persevered and excelled in all her classes, except Accounting.

Recalling that time, she said, “It was the one thing I couldn't do well. So, after my first year, I attended Cleveland State in the summer and retook (my accounting classes), and I got a little better, but I was still struggling to get A's and B's.”

After returning to Kent that fall, little, did she know that the spark she would need to propel her through the program would appear. She said, “I had the chairman of the Accounting Department come to me and say, `I think you would be better suited to be a teacher, and I think you should transfer out of accounting and into education.' That was a great motivator for me, and I determined then, that was not going to happen and that one day I would be able to come back and tell him that I was a CPA.” She completed her studies with a degree in Accounting and began working as a bank examiner for the Division of Banks for the State of Ohio, immediately after graduating from Kent State.

Richard would later join Watson Rice & Company, the only African American Accounting firm in Ohio. While working at Watson Rice, she realized she wanted to further her education, so she enrolled in Cleveland State University's

first executive MBA class, an executive MBA cohort.

Richard completed the program and received her master's degree in business administration with a concentration in management. Armed with her MBA, she continued to work at the accounting firm while doing consulting, audit and tax work.

Renee still loved numbers, but she said, “I decided somewhere along the way that I didn't just want to work with numbers. I wanted to do something broader, so I went to law school to become a tax attorney. As I got closer to graduating, I realized I didn't just want to do just tax, and I wanted to do something that felt more legal.”

Her legal writing professor recruited her to join Benesch Friedlander, where they had a general practice firm and a philosophy that you're right out of law school and don't know what area of law you want to practice. Richard explained, “they exposed you to every department before you made a final decision, which was great for me.” The added exposure was good because even though she knew she wanted something broader than taxes, still, she said, “I had no idea exactly what that was. Prior to being recruited, I didn't know that corporate law firms existed, so for me working in the general practice group for about a year and a half and was a great experience and provided exposure to public finance.” This exposure would change the trajectory of her life.

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I am absolutely thrilled and surprised to be selected the Black Professional of the Year and as a Woman of Achievement. ... It is wonderful to take a look back on your career and to say I’m glad that what I have done has made a noticeable difference for someone.

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Public Finance, she explained, “is a series of transactions where you enter the capital markets, and access public dollars to finance projects that are of public interest - you issue bonds.”

The attraction to municipal finance, she said, was, “the idea that there was a beginning and an end. I like closure. I was a little shy and didn't want to do litigation. Over the years, Richard would make a name for herself in this white, male-dominated specialization. After her tenure with Benesch, she would move to Calfee, Halter & Griswold before landing at Squire Sanders, now Squire Patton Bogg. In each firm, she worked hard, yet the road didn't lead to the ultimate goal of corporate attorneys – partner—until years later.

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Rachael Sampson with collegues

When discussing obstacles to advancement, Richard noted that there aren't many African American attorneys in corporate law firms. She further said that the problems didn't always rise to overt discrimination. Instead, there were systemic discriminatory behaviors she had to overcome. To illustrate, she recounted an experience with a partner in one of her former firms. She was meeting with a partner to discuss an assignment when he indicated he had to leave to have lunch with his sons in the middle of the conversation. Knowing he was father to two sons, she didn't think anything of it until a few minutes later, when she passed the partner in the lobby leaving to go to lunch with two of her colleagues.

This behavior, she believes, is something that people are not always conscious of, explaining, “It was for him the most natural thing to do, he looked at them, and he saw his sons. He would never look at me and see his daughter.”

That's the systemic discrimination that I experienced throughout my early career and most of my legal career. I never had a mentor during my legal career, had I had one, I don't believe it would have taken me as long to become a partner.”

Despite the systemic discrimination, Richard said her experiences had bright spots, “My colleagues in the law firms, in the departments I worked in were respectful, and collegial. I gained great experience at each of the law firms I worked at, while enjoying great life experiences and making good friends.”

Another barrier in the world of corporate law is gender bias, or the art of navigating in a world predominated by men. In this industry as in others, the goal is to bring in new business or to close the deal. The level of networking to bring in business includes business dinners, receptions and celebratory gatherings. These situations in a maledominated world can be challenging for women, particularly when they are the lone female. Richard 18 ▒ MAY - JUNE 2022

explained, “It was difficult being a woman because you always had to be careful of the situations you're putting yourself in; you're always interacting with men. I was always cognizant that I am a woman, going out after work, people are networking over drinks and mores are more relaxed. You have closing dinners where everyone's celebrating and there would come a point in the evening where I felt it was time for me to leave--usually after one drink.” This she said was, “Part of being the only woman in a group of men. I felt a little bit hampered by that, but I found other ways to bring in business and to continue to advance my career.”

The art of knowing when to leave she said, “Was me being true to myself. I believe even today you have to be true to yourself. You have to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and say I am not ashamed of anything that I have done or am doing in order to continue to advance my career. People will ultimately respect you for that. That would be part of my advice to younger lawyers—especially women-- be true to yourself and like who you are and who you are becoming; don't do things to get ahead that cause you to sacrifice your morals, values and principles, that's far more important in the long run and that will get you where you're trying to go if you continue to persevere and work at it.”

As a woman on a high-powered career track, there are personal situations that can potentially limit your rise, and Richard was no stranger to these. When she recalls her corporate law career she says it wasn't easy and that she “took the long route.” To illustrate, “I became a mother while working at a time when systems weren't convenient for working at home, so initially everything had to be done in the office. I was fortunate, just as I had my son, we were beginning to get systems that would allow you to work from home. This allowed for some work-life balance; but face time in the office was still mandatory.”

These new systems were essential she remembers because in the law firm environment you must bill a certain number of hours annually, and as a mother and wife you want to make time for your family. Richard learned to master the dance, first with her son and later adding her daughter to the routine. To be successful she said, “You had to be disciplined, organized and set priorities. So, when you're working a demanding schedule and you still want to have a family life you have to figure out the balance. You can't say yes to everything –in order to have time to spend with your family and have time to do a really good job. I think that is the ultimate goal –strike a work and life balance and do a great job so you are always invited back.”

While her road may have been cárcuitous to some, in the long run she was successful and able to realize the importance of diversity in corporate law. While chasing deals, a lot of Richard's business took her to Washington, DC where she found a great deal of success. The Ohio public finance market was very mature in Ohio, she said, especially with Squire Sanders being very dominant in that area. The DC market was not immature she explained, but it was a broader market and one that included African Americans in positions to make decisions--something she believes is crucial. She said, “Were it not for having African Americans able to look at me and see me as their daughter or their sister and say yes I'm going to give you a chance,” the level of success she experienced may not have happened. With that first yes, Richard performed well and ultimately built a good practice in DC, first with Squire Sanders and then for five years with Roetzel and Andress where she was recruited to become a partner.

Having achieved the goal of partner, she continued to work - chasing deals, and working between Cleveland and DC when she said, “Okay I did it. I made partner and my children are getting older, so how long do you want to chase the next deal?” The answer was not much longer.

The timing for this soul-searching proved advantageous as her client, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), was in need of a General Counsel and approached her about interviewing for the position. Leaving a corporate partnership to lead the legal staff of a community college would result in taking a pay cut, so this was a decision that would have to be thoroughly analyzed. She also realized that as she reevaluated her desire to continue chasing deals she had to have an exit strategy. She explained, “You need a pathway out. When you do public finance, it is a niche market and there's not a lot of places that you can take that exact experience to. So, this was a chance to branch out to do something again broader than numbers, broader than finance, an opportunity to do something with people and to do a body of work that will impact an individual's life. Also, to help an institution that I watched grow up.”

Richard said that after she and her husband discussed the financial aspects of this change, they realized they would be okay, and she looked at the many advantages.

She reflected, “I wanted to work with people, and now, everyday I do just that--work with people on a wide range of issues. I still get to do a little bit of public finance now and again, but I mostly work with people. I work on issues that involve students, professors, and administrators. I work with the College's President's Cabinet and President's Council.

As the General Counsel she said, “I tell my team that we have 3,000 clients, we represent the employees and the institution. We need to treat them like clients and our decisions for the College have to be about furthering the College's interests, values and mission.”

In the nearly ten years of holding this position, she said her role has expanded. “I started out almost exclusively handling legal issues for the College. Over the ten years my position has grown and I like to think I have become more of a business advisor and a counselor to the President. I sit on his senior administrator's team, the President's Cabinet and President's Council and I am involved with strategy and strategic planning.”

In addition to being a part of these executive bodies she also oversees risk management, internal audit and institutional equity. These combined roles have allowed her to function in a proactive rather than reactive role and helped establish confidence in the legal department's role and desire to head off problems. By developing this open dialogue between her office and their clients Richard said, “I think collectively as a department, and as a College we have massaged the culture so that the College community is comfortable coming to the legal department saying, ' I'm thinking about doing this, is this okay, can we do this?' We have found ourselves having a different kind of defense of things when they happen now. I believe the College is stronger in terms of systems, how we do things so that we avoid a lot of issues that we had when I first got here.”

She enjoys the work she does and like any position there ~re challenges, like one of=her early Åoncerås after joining í he staff - the accreditation of the College's Nursing program. The program is now in a great place, but Richard can remember this was one of her biggest assignments in her early tenure. Reflecting she said, “I can tell you that I was very concerned about our nursing accreditation and to this day that was the most worrisome thing that I've handled for the College. I was very worried that it was going to fail. It wouldn't be any fault of my own or anyone in Legal, but it was such an important program to the College and to the community, I wanted to do all that I could to help make sure that didn't happen. We were integrally involved in helping the College save that program and we were just reaccredited last year for another 10 years.”

She breathes a little easier now that program compliance and accreditation are in her area, under risk management and now she can watch it from a 3,000 birds-eye view.

Richard describes this team as RCA (Risk, Compliance and Audit), “where risk identities our weaknesses and areas of greatest vulnerabilities; compliance goes out and monitors to make sure that people are complying with what their individual program requirements are; and then our internal auditors come in and test. Doing mock site visits, and reports so that by the time the accreditors come in, we have already done the work.”

Even with the collaborative work environment, problems will arise as they did during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, when Richard was least expecting issues due to isolation. She said, “I thought with the pandemic and with us going to a remote environment that there would not be a lot for us to do from a legal perspective, because people would not be interacting with one another as much, and I thought they wouldn't have the same opportunities to get themselves in trouble.” That was not the case, but it did allow the College to begin looking at the effects isolation was having on staff and to implement programs and activities to address problems associated with isolation.

She credits Dr. Alex Johnson, the College President with recognizing the need to assist staff with these issues. This recognition led to the establishment of gatherings, development of training modules as well as working to rehabilitate behavior rather than fire someone for offenses that can be addressed with behavior modification.

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When asked about successes, Richard talked about the increased connection with people, and having an impact on the community. She and her team established free legal clinics for students on each of the college's campuses to assist with legal concerns. They have also partnered with Cleveland State and Case Western Reserve to host expungement clinics. Although these programs were halted during the pandemic, one was recently held at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church's Otis Moss Center. A well attended event, Richard said, “We saw 25 individuals who were in various stages of wanting to have their records expunged. Under state law most misdemeanors and certain non-violent felonies can be expunged, and those are things that keep people from getting jobs.”

Understanding the role that mentors play, Richard is extremely proud of the role she has played with the career advancement of Deputy General Counsels in her office, as well as other staff. Of this she said, “Since I've been in this position, I've had three deputy general counsels - all male and all three African American. If I don't leave my position they don't have anywhere to go; they can't advance. I have not been ready to leave the College, but I have been in a position to help each of them to become general counsel somewhere else. I have a deputy general counsel leaving shortly, and he has the best work ethic that a General Counsel could want. It was an opportunity that was presented to me and I wasn't willing to take and I hesitantly presented to him. I am so very proud that I have been able to mentor these three men and help them to be successful in their general counsel roles.”

particular, started in the Legal Department as a paralegal with an Associate's degree and I encouraged her to get her bachelor's degree and once she did, I then encouraged her to keep going. She's now only one or two classes away from getting her Master's degree. She has moved up within our department. She will become the Director of our Office of Institutional Equity.”

This year, Richard's work and her commitment to the community were recognized first by YWCA Cleveland by honoring her as a Woman of Achievement and later this year when she is named the Black Professional of the Year by the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation. Of the accolades she said, “I am absolutely thrilled and surprised to be selected the Black Professional of the Year and as a Woman of Achievement. I sat in the audience at BPOTY dinners all of my career and just never thought I would be one of the people being honored. I'm tickled about that idea. I'm just so honored that people look at my body of work and think I've done enough to make a difference and that I should be honored and celebrated - I'm very humbled by it. It is wonderful to take a look back on your career and to say I'm glad that what I have done has made a noticeable difference for someone.”

In addition to her numerous responsibilities, Richard is active in many community organizations. When she's not working for the College or the community, Richard spends quality time with her husband, Derrick, their three adult children-Kelli, Evan and Toshi, her Mom and her extended family. <

Not to short-change women, she noted, “I have several young women that I work with a lot. One young lady, in

PHENOMENAL FACTS Juris Doctor--Law Cleveland State University - Cleveland-Marshall College of Law Masters Business Administration Management Cleveland State University Named the 2022 Black Professional of the Year The Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation Named a YWCA Woman of Achievement in 2022 YWCA of Greater Cleveland Serves as Chair of the Board of Directors Care Alliance Health Center Serves as Member, Board of Directors YWCA of Greater Cleveland Serves as Member, Board of Directors AES Management Corp., a franchisee of Louisiana's Popeyes Chicken Serves as President of The Links, Incorporated—Cleveland Chapter, The local chapter of a national organization of 16,000+ professional women of color Served as Freedom Fund Dinner Chair 2017-2021 Member of Finance Committee NAACP Cleveland Branch Served on numerous boards of trustees

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Photos courtesy of Getty Images

UNDERSTANDING FINANCIAL INFIDELITY AND ITS EFFECT ON RELATIONSHIPS Infidelity and deception can take many forms in a relationship, including some that have nothing to do with romance at all. One example is financial infidelity, where deceptions are reported in nearly half of relationships where finances are combined.

Among people who have combined finances with a partner, 2 in 5 (43%) confessed to committing an act of financial deception in a current or past relationship, according to a survey conducted by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE). What's more, 85% of those who reported a financial deception acknowledged the indiscretion affected the relationship in some way.

“When you comingle finances in a relationship, you're consenting to cooperation and transparency in your money management,” said Billy Hensley, Ph.D., president and CEO of NEFE. “Regardless of the severity of the act, financial deception can cause tremendous strain on couples – it leads to arguments, a breakdown of trust and, in some cases, separation or even divorce.”

Understanding Financial Infidelity Financial infidelity is an act of deception by one partner in a relationship where finances are combined. Examples include hiding purchases, money or accounts, or lying about the amount of income earned and debt owed.

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More than one-third (39%) of U.S. adults who have combined finances in a current or past relationship admitted to hiding a purchase, bank account, statement, bill or cash from their partner, and about 1 in 5 (21%) admitted to lying to a partner or spouse about finances, the amount of debt they owe or the amount of money they earn.

Reasons for Financial Deception A lack of communication and conflicting life or financial values may often be the root causes of financial deception, but U.S. adults also revealed other reasons for deceit with money. More than one-third (38%) said even though they are in a committed relationship, they believe some aspects of their finances should remain private.

Meanwhile, another 33% were embarrassed or fearful about their finances and didn't want their partner to know.

Fear of disapproval by a partner is also a powerful force, regardless of whether financial discussions are happening in the relationship. For example, 34% of U.S. adults who admitted to financial deception in a relationship with combined finances said they feared disapproval by their partner given discussions of finances had already occurred while 27% feared disapproval by a partner in a relationship where discussions about finances had not yet occurred.

How Financial Deception Affects Couples Like other forms of infidelity, financial cheating can wreak havoc on a relationship, including arguments, loss of trust, less privacy, separating combined finances and even divorce. However, those who have been there offered some insight into positive repercussions, too, such as growing closer together and learning to communicate proactively.

Signs of Financial Infidelity You may discover your partner is cheating financially when you come across a receipt or piece of paper indicating a purchase you don't recognize or find your partner defensive or withdrawn in conversations about money. A deceptive partner may attempt to intercept bills via mail or email before you see them or remove the itemization of purchases on bills.

Learn more and find the full poll on financial deception at nefe.org.

Coming Clean How to recover from financial deception Whether you've caught your partner cheating when it comes to money, or you're the one in the spotlight after making some financial transgressions, there are some steps you can take together to rebuild trust.

1. Be realistic in your expectations.

Understand successfully rebuilding trust will take time, sustained transparency and commitment to shared goals and increased communication.

2. Commit to open communication. While the conversations may be stressful, the key is to focus on understanding why the financial deception occurred and what you can do, together, moving forward.

“When 2 in 5 people admit to committing financial deception in a relationship where money is combined, it highlights the need for greater communication and a deeper understanding of who your partner is financially,” Hensley said.

3. Create goals and ground rules together.

Finding areas of compromise can help you get on the path toward rebuilding trust. That might mean having separate personal accounts while maintaining a joint account for household expenses, or you might create separate accounts completely with each of you paying an equitable share of household expenses.

You could also establish guidelines you can both abide by, such as agreeing that neither will make a large purchase, such as items over $100, without discussing it together. www.PHENOMENALWOMAN.me ▒ 23

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