In this episode of Just Between Us Girls, we’re joined by 1st Assistant Chief LaShonna Potts of the Columbus Police Department for a powerful conversation about identity, self-expression, and the often invisible expectations placed on women—especially in uniform.

LaShonna opens up about the journey that led her into law enforcement, and what it’s meant to carve out space in a profession that asks for conformity before authenticity. From balancing authority with empathy, to pushing for progress in spaces that value order over change, she brings both candor and clarity to the challenges of showing up fully when the role demands you wear more than just a badge.

Together, we unpack the tension between professionalism and personal expression, and how style, voice, and femininity can exist right alongside strength and structure. This episode is for anyone who's ever been asked to tone it down, fit in, or check pieces of themselves at the door in the name of “respectability.”

LaShonna reminds us that being “built for the work” doesn’t mean abandoning who you are—it means knowing that your presence as you are is part of the power you bring.

Topics Covered:

Navigating leadership in roles rooted in structure and uniformity

Identity, expression, and the silent codes of “professionalism”

Holding space for authenticity in male-dominated fields

The emotional labor of challenging norms

Leading with humanity, softness, and unapologetic strength

In Season 1, Episode 10 of Just Between Us Girls, host Arianny Damian welcomes Jeff Seaton, Vice President of Property and Casualty at Leavitt Group Midwest, to discuss leadership, accountability, and building a culture that rewards and empowers employees.

Jeff emphasizes that true leadership means recognizing and valuing employees consistently, not just at performance reviews. He challenges micromanagement, advocating for trust, transparency, and giving employees a voice in decision-making. With a focus on accountability, he stresses that leaders must hold themselves to even higher standards, ensuring that feedback is ongoing and that success is fairly rewarded.

He also explores the balance between fairness and individual needs, explaining that treating people equitably doesn’t always mean treating them the same. By shifting from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mentality, leaders can create opportunities rather than competition, fostering growth for both individuals and organizations.

Jeff highlights that rewarding employees isn’t just about recognition—it’s about providing clear expectations, support, and pathways for advancement. He urges leaders to set the tone for accountability, ensuring employees understand their impact and are motivated to contribute meaningfully.

This episode offers essential insights for leaders looking to build high-performing teams through fairness, transparency, and a culture where hard work is acknowledged and rewarded.

In Season 1, Episode 9 of Just Between Us Girls, host Arianny Damian welcomes Ralph Smithers, AVP of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Relations at Encova. Ralph shares his journey from an underwriter to a leadership role in DEI, discussing how his passion and alignment with core values shaped his path. Listeners gain insight into Ralph’s approach to balancing career, service, and personal fulfillment. Ralph offers practical tips on creating room for service in daily life, underscoring the role that joy and hobbies play in fostering a well-rounded, purpose-driven life. His advice includes adding wonder into everyday experiences and embracing community engagement as a vital part of personal growth. He highlights the influence of friends and community, sharing reflections on the impact they have on one’s future and sense of fulfillment.

This episode encourages listeners to align their work with their values and take an active role in advocating for positive change within their communities. Ralph’s advice on finding purpose, joy, and the power of community is a compelling reminder of how passion can build a fulfilling life both personally and professionally.

In Season 1, Episode 8 of *Just Between Us Girls* titled "Maybe She's Born With It, Maybe She's Leaning In," host Arianny Damian welcomes Kristy Daniel, Vice President and Principal at Elford, to share her journey as a woman in the brokerage industry. Kristy introduces herself and reflects on her experiences growing up with an entrepreneurial father and a hardworking mother, both of whom influenced her strong work ethic and career path.

Kristy discusses the challenges she's faced in a male-dominated industry, sharing stories of having to work harder than some of her peers to achieve the same results and how these experiences resonate with many women in the workplace. She opens up about the emotional and professional impact of witnessing unequal opportunities, where others seemed to have things "just happen" for them while she had to create her own path.

As a woman in brokerage, Kristy offers valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities she has encountered, and how her presence has positively impacted her male colleagues and the work environment. She also explores the tools and strategies that helped her overcome obstacles and achieve success in her career.

The episode concludes with Kristy encouraging listeners to reflect on their own journeys, emphasizing the importance of persistence, resilience, and leaning into challenges. She leaves women navigating similar career challenges with advice on how to succeed in male-dominated fields.

Join *Just Between Us Girls* for an inspiring conversation with Kristy Daniel about overcoming adversity, leaning into challenges, and making an impact in the brokerage world.

Welcome to another episode of "Just Between Us Girls" with host, Arianny Damian, who had the pleasure of speaking with Mykle Basha, Vice President and Regional Manager of Paradigm Properties.

In this episode, Mykle introduces herself and her role, diving into the complexities of representation and how it impacts our ability to show up authentically in the workplace. We discuss the challenges of taking up space with confidence, the audacity required to do so, and the burnout that can result from having to exert more effort than your peers for the same recognition. Mykle reminds us that we're all winging it and encourages us to marinate in both our successes and the journey itself.

We explore the importance of surrounding yourself with people who dare you to be authentic rather than conform, and how serving others can ultimately serve you reminiscing on this year's Huckleberry House Sleep Out. The episode shares insights on grounding down to cheer up, and the necessity of being your own affirmer. Mykle also touches on the reality that employees may not stay with you forever and how this understanding can make you a better leader.

We conclude with a heartfelt conversation about the pressures of assimilation and the ongoing fight to let your authentic self shine through. Mykle's wisdom and experience provide invaluable guidance for anyone navigating the complexities of leadership and self-acceptance.

Join us on "Just Between Us Girls" for an empowering discussion with Mykle Basha about authenticity, leadership, and the journey to embracing your true self in the face of challenges.

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 6 of "Just Between Us Girls: Representation, Bias, and Building Your Value." your host Arianny Damian is delighted to have Alissha Mitchell, Commercial Property Manager at OhioHealth Corp, join her on this episode!

In this episode, Alissha introduces herself and her role, sharing her unique insights into the commercial real estate industry and her experiences as a black woman in the field. We delve into the differences between residential and commercial tenant needs, highlighting Alissha's expertise in catering to the unique requirements of commercial tenants.

We discuss the importance of representation, emphasizing the impact of having a black woman in a leadership role within the commercial real estate sector. Alissha shares her personal experiences and observations on diversity and inclusion in the industry, providing valuable perspectives on navigating career advancement.

Alissha offers strategies for negotiating advancement and advocating for oneself in the workplace, stressing the importance of demonstrating skills not listed on one's resume through tangible achievements. She explains how understanding a building as its own ecosystem and having acumen in mechanicals can greatly benefit a property manager.

We explore effective strategies for communicating one's worth and investment to employers, highlighting the importance of articulating the value and impact of one's work during negotiations and career discussions.

In conclusion, we encourage listeners to understand and adapt to the unique needs of commercial tenants in property management, reflecting on the significance of diversity and representation in leadership roles within the real estate industry. We aim to empower individuals to confidently negotiate advancement and communicate their value in the workplace.

Join us on "Just Between Us Girls" for an enlightening conversation with Alissha Mitchell about representation, bias, and building your value in the commercial real estate industry.

Keep up with us on IG: @thompsonrestores

In this episode of "Just Between Us Girls: Creativity and the 3 F's: Firm, Fair, Flexible." your host, Arianny Damian is thrilled to have Angi Carey, Director of Property Management at Scioto Properties, with us. In this episode, Angi introduces herself and her role at Scioto Properties, sharing her journey into property management and the critical role creativity plays in her work. Starting in commercial management straight out of Oakwood at 18, Angi provides insights into the mission-driven nature of her company and balancing financial success with mission fulfillment.

We dive into the dynamics of a male-oriented industry, discussing how Angi overcame challenges to ensure her suggestions and initiatives were heard and implemented. She also shares her experience of juggling responsibilities as a property manager and a parent, emphasizing the importance of negotiating for flexibility and understanding in the workplace.

Angi highlights the power of creativity in problem-solving and client satisfaction, showing how it extends beyond artistic expression to practical skills like HVAC and mechanical knowledge. She stresses the importance of being proactive in making oneself visible and advocating for one's ideas, urging women to assert themselves rather than waiting for recognition.

We explore cultural insights, focusing on the significance of asking questions and challenging norms to effect change, with women often leading the charge in championing workplace culture. Angi reflects on the traits of firmness, fairness, and flexibility in leadership, sharing experiences that have built resilience and adaptability in her career journey.

In conclusion, we encourage listeners to embrace creativity and assertiveness in their professional endeavors, highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability in navigating workplace challenges. We emphasize the value of women's voices and contributions in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Join us on "Just Between Us Girls" for an inspiring conversation with Angi Carey about creativity, resilience, and making your voice heard in the workplace.

Keep up with us on IG: @thompsonrestores

Welcome to another episode of Just Between Us Girls, where host Arianny Damian, Director of Business Development at Thompson Restoration Associates, is privileged to have Lindsay Romaniw, Senior Property Manager at Colliers, as her guest.

In our introduction, Lindsay shares insights into her role at Colliers and why her journey into advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion is so crucial.

We delve into history and context, exploring the impact of small yet impactful initiatives like removing names from applications to combat biases in hiring processes. Addressing cultural norms and latent benefits in the workplace becomes paramount to attract and retain diverse talent. We also stress the importance of recognizing when advocacy isn't our forte and empowering those who champion the cause.

Lindsay opens up about her personal journey of checking privilege and feeling compelled to advocate for the DEI Committee. We discuss the weight of advocacy and the necessity of collective action, including the often unnoticed invisible labor shouldered by women in the workplace. From organizing birthday cards to cleaning communal spaces, these tasks often fall on women disproportionately.

Transitioning to allyship and activism, we tackle feelings of inadequacy and the shift from performative to meaningful action. Celebrating wins, like diversifying leadership roles through Spring cleaning competitions, underscores the significance of integrating DEI principles into daily practices.

We address challenges within corporate culture, including the lack of diversity in leadership and biases embedded in organizational structures. Overcoming barriers involves recognizing and redistributing invisible labor, as well as purposefully integrating DEI efforts into everyday actions.

In conclusion, we urge listeners to embrace allyship and advocacy in their workplaces, emphasizing the need for continuous, meaningful contributions beyond symbolic gestures.

Keep up with us on IG: @thompsonrestores

On this episode of Just Between Us Girls, we're honored to have Robert J. "Bob" Weiler, Sr., Chairman of the Board at the Robert Weiler Company, joining us. In our introduction, Bob shares his background and role at The Robert Weiler Company, highlighting why we've invited him onto the show. We also touch on Bob's journey into real estate.

Delving into his history, we explore pivotal moments like Bob's father's presidency at the Columbus Board of Realtors, where he advocated for women's inclusion—a significant shift considering the historical exclusion of women from holding chair positions. We discuss how this unequal playing field necessitated a shift in mentality towards discrimination, emphasizing the importance of uplifting everyone. A special touch of Columbus HERstory in this episode, when Bob shared Myrna Kobre was the first woman to be inducted on the Board of Realtors.

Moving on to residential vs. commercial real estate, we examine why more women have entered residential rather than commercial sectors. We delve into factors such as the technical nature of commercial real estate and the prevalence of women-to-women transactions. We also discuss the role of tokenism and its limitations in fostering true diversity, highlighting the "Lone Wolf" syndrome.

In our final phase, we ask Bob what he hopes the audience takes away for a more progressive future in the industry.

Join us on "Just Between Us Girls" as we navigate through setbacks, tokenism, and the path towards a more inclusive and progressive real estate landscape.

In the latest episode of "Just Between Us Girls." Host Arianny Damian is joined by Columbus' Institute of Real Estate Executive Director, Laurie Rushevics.

Laurie opens up about her role at IREM and how she became deeply involved with the association. We explore the notion that career opportunities don't come from sitting behind a computer, diving into Laurie's own "daytimer" story and her experience re-entering the industry after a decade as a stay-at-home mom. Laurie also sheds light on hiring without industry experience and emphasizes that DEI goes beyond race.

We discuss the importance of staying aggressive in one's career and the evolution that follows. We explore the concept of financial independence and economic freedom, highlighting that it's not about being excessively rich. Laurie explains why building personal wealth, even when comfortable, is crucial, and how to find balance as a working mom.

In the final phase, we delve into the principle that you get out what you put in, applying it to association life and specifically IREM. Laurie shares her insights on the importance of this mindset. As we wrap up, Laurie leaves us with her final thoughts and answers a bonus question: Who would she like to see as a guest on the show?

Join us on "Just Between Us Girls" for an empowering conversation with Laurie, unraveling career stories and insights that transcend industries. Want to see some snippets? Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram: Thompson Restoration Associates!