Top 10 Most Inspiring Women 2018
Sital Soni
Elm Strategies | HR Consultant/Career Coach
Jane Clark, Co-Founder of BrandSwan
Why We Chose Sital Soni
“Sital was sitting on a panel at… yes… a Mascara & Mimosas event. (Yes, I’m noticing a pattern…) I cannot recall what the topic was, as this was at least 3 or 4 years ago. She impressed me with her eloquent yet authentic way of speaking to the room. You could tell that she knew her stuff. She not only could answer all of the audience’s questions, but she provided a level of insight that really just connected all the dots. When I saw her again at the Delaware Small Business Chamber, I recalled her striking presence and how she could command a room. Yet, she still retains a softness that makes her incredibly approachable. As breast cancer survivor and someone who heavily volunteers for the Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce, Sital offers herself up as a resource to those who can benefit from her experiences. I am so looking forward to getting to know her better and seeing where she continues to go.”
Sital Soni
ELM Strategies | HR Consultant/Career CoacH
Tell us a little bit about your career. (What does your job entail? How did you get into the field? Etc.)
I’m happy to be in the people business, certified in the human resources profession and owner of a small HR consultancy practice – ELM Strategies. The business emphasis is two-fold, offering HR services to businesses and to individuals seeking career coaching. Through a unique approach to HR consulting, my focus is on the concept of Employee Lifecycle Management. By looking at business or personal development as a continuous process of change, clients benefit from a holistic and integrated solution to HR and career challenges. Overall, my inspiration is to develop and strengthen people for success!
How do you achieve work/life balance?
What change do you want to see in the world, and how are you aiding that cause?
Give a shout out to a woman or women who you consider to be your mentor(s)
We understand that you are a breast cancer survivor. What advice can you offer other women going through the same experience, as well as what people can do to support them?
I’m officially one-year cancer-free! Yay! I feel tremendously blessed to have paid attention to the signs and learned from the history of breast cancer in my family. My regular 6-month screenings over the years turned to biopsies in October 2016 after detecting some changes. While still benign, those results ultimately led me to understand that I needed to be more proactive. After researching my options, consulting doctors, gaining insights from family, friends, and other survivors, I decided to go through a preventative bilateral mastectomy. This was a very difficult choice, but a choice that I felt was right for me. Remarkably, even after that deliberate process, two days after my surgery doctors shared they found breast cancer on my right side! I was shocked and felt a deeper appreciation having made this surgery decision.
My advice, with or without a history of breast cancer, put yourself first and be diligent about getting screened. Do your homework, advocate for yourself, find a trusted team of doctors, listen to options, talk to experts, communicate and discuss with family, friends and other survivors, but know your story is unique to you! The ultimate decision on your path forward is your own – you are in control of your own choices! Make them wisely, but make them.
Now that you have the highlights of my story I request two things. First, I’m ready to pay it forward, just as the amazing women who shared their stories and were by my side throughout my journey. Please feel free to email me if you or someone you know find themselves on the breast cancer path: ssoni03@verizon.net. Second, in our Indian tradition, monetary donations to a cause or for a gift comes in the form of $11, $21, $51, $101, etc. That extra $1 is wishing the recipient more prosperity (similar to putting that extra candle on a birthday cake,) so should you donate to a cancer organization, I ask you please add an extra $1 on my behalf.
What advice can you give other women who are struggling, either professionally or personally, to bounce back into the swing of things?
If you had to start over from scratch knowing what you know now, would you do anything different? If so, what would you do?
See you for day 7!
More 2018 Most Inspiring Women
Day 10: Traci Madison — Inspiring Women 2018
I had the pleasure to brand Traci’s company, Madison Real Estate. What’s really impressed me about her is that in 2 years she’s tripled the number of agents. Every day it seems she’s having an open house or congratulating a client on the selling or purchasing of their home. She’s always posting amazing photos to inspire those searching for their dream home. AND, she still has time to go out and network. She knows how to work it — she knows how to work her brand, work the room, build truly meaningful relationships, and she can throw one hell of a party. Everyone who knows her, loves her… myself included.
Day 9: Antoinette Blake — Inspiring Women 2018
Every woman-centric event I’ve attended, Antoinette’s name was mentioned as a woman of influence. She is most known as an award-winning blogger (@DelawareBlogger to be precise) and social media guru. She has a weekly podcast and also teaches as an adjunct professor. Other accomplishments include Entrepreneur of the Year Award, featured in several publications like Delaware Today, Woman’s Day, Parade, The Delaware Business Times, and Technical.ly. The most impressive… she’s even on radio! Is there anything this gal can’t do?
Day 8: Sarah Kenney — Inspiring Women 2018
Recognized as a DBT40 Honoree from the Delaware Business Times and a Leadership Delaware Scholar is just the tip of the iceberg that is Sarah’s accomplishments. President of the board of Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation (who I have the pleasure of working with on the event committee) and Marketing & Communications Coordinator for Nemours are just a couple more things that this girl juggles. Yet, the thing that impresses me the most is that she rocked the business world and bought a house before even getting married. She stands on her own two feet. This is an amazing individual that is fiercely independent, intelligent, and spends every day connecting people. I am so thrilled that she is receiving recognition so well deserved and I’m proud to call her a friend as she brings positivity wherever she goes.
Day 7: Jacqueline Means — Inspiring Women 2018
At only 15 years old, Jacqueline is known in the community for her efforts in bringing STEM to the underprivileged girls of Wilmington, inspiring girls to get actively involved in science, technology, engineering, and math. So well spoken and passionate, I am totally blown away by her. Speaker, event planner, chess player, volunteer, mentor and more. She makes me so proud to be a fellow Delawarean and a woman. She will continue to defy the stereotypes that limit our potentials.
Day 5: Jennie Campbell — Inspiring Women 2018
[Jennie] is more than just a phenomenal photographer — she gets involved in the community. She actually lives her truth and does stuff. She is out and about, building her #bossbabe business and rockin’ it as both a beloved teacher and entrepreneur. We can learn a lot from Jennie’s incredible work ethic and passion for life. She doesn’t exist… she lives. Thank you, Jennie for showing us how it’s done!
Day 4: Aniko Czobor — Inspiring Women 2018
I adore Aniko. If memory serves, I met her at a Wonder Women Tea event at the Blue Hen Bed & Breakfast, but in truth I see her at all sorts of events. I’ve had the pleasure to get to know her over the years and what impresses me most about Aniko is her joyful presence. No matter what is happening, she finds reasons to smile. It’s not a smile that’s forced; it’s a smile that genuinely warms a room. I love that she is proud of her heritage in a world of notenoughness. I love that she loves life and still has enough in her cup to pass that love onto others in their time of need. Aniko is so much more than an inspiring woman — she’s an inspiring human being.
Day 3: Lois Hoffman — Inspiring Women 2018
Lois is everywhere and everyone knows Lois; but, that’s not why I chose her. We became fast friends after we kept bumping into each other at various networking events. She is one of the most delightful people to be around — and most importantly, she laughs at all my jokes. She is an amazing and persistent entrepreneur. I see her social media posts everywhere from Linked in to Facebook. Her brand is always on point and consistent in everything she does. So dedicated and hardworking, Lois just doesn’t quit. And that’s why she deserves to be on my list. I find her compassionate and inspiring. Oh, and did I mention she is also a juggler? Yeah.
Day 2: Sheri Stafford Swift — Inspiring Women 2018
Sheri is a freelance makeup artist. She always looks like a total rock star thanks to her amazing talents. What I love most about Sheri is that she is constantly pushing herself. She was afraid to start her own biz, but she did it anyway. Something she doesn’t mention in her interview but has given me permission to add — through a ton of hard work, Sheri was able to kick diabetes medication to the curb. As a diabetic, this gives me hope. Without further adieu… meet Sheri, who was nationally recognized in The Knot.
Day 1: Brooke Chase — Inspiring Women 2018
“I met Brooke at a Mascara & Mimosa event. She approached me easily and effortlessly, introducing herself. I was impressed by her side hustle, B.Social. As I stalked her on social media and got to know her a little more personally, she became the social media gal for TAPP Network. Now she has accepted a new gig at the City of Wilmington. I find myself proud to know her and also awestruck; Brooke is a go getter, brave & beyond talented. I can’t wait to see what this passionate millennial does next.”