Fun Facts:

• I’m naturally blonde.
• I once went on a double date with Ludacris (I wasn’t his date).
• I have flown four kinds of planes and been around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in the two-seater with Mario Andretti AND on the back of a MotoGP bike.

Hobbies, what do you do in your free time?

Cooking, dining out, testing new recipes, reading cookbooks — pretty much anything to do with food.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

An author, fashion designer, or marine biologist.

Moment in your life you felt most empowered?

Giving birth to my first son after 12 hours of labor, without an epidural!

What are you doing to help make life better in all ways for all women?

My mission is to give a place and a platform for any women who wants her voice uplifted.

What quality/characteristic of yours do your friends/family admire most?

My family thinks I make excellent eggs — scrambled, poached, sunny-side up, you name it. Except omelets. I’ve yet to perfect those.

Fun Facts:

• She is known to change her hairstyle within a matter of days, sometimes even hours, depending on how she feels.
• It would not be surprising if she owns over 50 different hair pieces!
• She is aunt to 20+ nieces and nephews and has memorized all names, birthdays, and ages for each child!

What brings you joy?

Working out with my personal trainer is what brings me joy. Actually, working out in general brings me joy because I am doing something for myself and that is my self-care.

Pivotal moment in your life?

A pivotal moment in my life would be deciding to take control of my life. And not allowing my voice to be silenced. I became an advocate for myself and continuously showed up for myself and the things that I need to live a full and happy life.

Favorite activity?

I LOVE strength training! I love lifting weights and toning up my legs and arms.

What is your passion and how did you find it?

My passion is helping women gain self-confidence and practice self-love and care. I found it by learning more about myself and believing that I am worthy of love.

Describe your personal “style”?

My personal “style” is something that is bold and confident, but subtle. I tend to have leaned toward being more conservative in the past, but now I am stepping out and being daring and showing off my newly acquired curves!

Fun Facts:

• Up until age 27, I had never lived in the same city for longer than 4 years
• I spent 14 days traveling in Italy and Greece, visited six cities; had ONE carryon
• When around family, I will switch between English and Spanish and not notice — even when texting

Fun or thrilling experience?

One of the coolest experiences I have had was the opportunity to do a night swim with Manta Ray in Hawaii.

Favorite music, musician, or concert?

I am a Colombian who LOVES country music.

How do you relax, de-stress, and take care of yourself in general?

I try to spend time outdoors and disconnect. A walk on the trails by our house is usually a great re-set for me.

What is your advice for women to live their best life?

Your time is your most valuable resource. Be protective of it and spend it on the things that matter to you.

Important life lessons you’ve learned?

Never assume people know what you want, always speak up.

Fun Facts:

• I am a co-coordinator in building Southdale Neighborhood Association in Indianapolis, where we are building community and enhancing the quality of life.
• I am a favorite aunt of 75 nieces and nephews (includes great, great nieces and nephews)
• In 1986, Walt Disney came to Indianapolis to celebrate the 70th running of the Indianapolis 500. I was fortunate to earn the roll of the famous “Fifer the Pig” of Three Little Pigs and a Big Bad Wolf. We celebrated by participating in the Mayors Breakfast, Queens Ball, Children’s Festival around the Monument Circle, 500 Parade and of course the Indianapolis 500 pre-race parade.

Favorite music, musician, or concert?

I enjoy music from the 70’s – current. I am young at heart and love Taylor Swift.

Volunteer roles or community service?

• I co-coordinate developing Southdale Neighborhood Association community and enhancing the quality of life
• Volunteer at Bethany Community Gardens. In the last 4 years, we have provided 11,000 tons of fresh fruit and vegetables to local food pantries in Southdale and the surrounding neighborhoods, so our neighbors in need can have fresh, healthy food
• Member of the Professional Woman’s Group through Dress for Success
• Board President of Meridian Place HOA

“Empowering” advice you’d give women?

Don’t wait for what you want to show up! It will pass you by in a blink of an eye. Write down your dreams. This will bring clarity and commitment. Set goals and work your plan

What’s your advice for women to live their best life?

Don’t get discouraged by other people’s successes or timelines. Your dreams have a unique journey tailored just for you. Waiting for someone else to tell you that you are worthy or waiting for someone else to give you permission, will only delay your dream.

What’s your passion and how did you find it?

My passion is helping others. All my life, I have helped others. I only realized it was a passion when I began working in the community garden in our neighborhood. Every year the garden grew bigger, and we delivered more fruit and vegetables to the food pantries. That accomplishment inspired me to form a neighborhood association along with another community leader.

FUN FACTS:

• I am a wife and mother to two boys, and we have lived in Indy for almost three years
• I have managed AES businesses in 13 countries and my family, and I have lived in Europe, Central America and the U.S.
• My favorite Indianapolis experiences are the 500 and BUTTER.

Hobbies, what do you do in your free time?

I have been powerlifting (back squat, bench press and deadlift) for the past year. I started in my mid-40s, and it is my favorite sport ever. I highly recommend strength training for women of all ages!

What brings you joy?

There is nothing better than my kids telling me jokes that are truly, outrageously funny (and they are old enough to do this now!) and witnessing my boys care deeply about their classmates, friends, and neighbors.

Explain obstacles you’ve overcome on your career path, or life in general?

I was labeled as “quiet and shy” during the first half of my career because I was reluctant to speak up, unless I had the perfect answer. Eventually, I learned that the company is better if I share my ideas sooner rather than later, even if my ideas were not perfect, because my input would make the team and solution better. This has been a game-changer in my career – speaking up with good ideas and not waiting for the perfect ones.

What career advice would you give women?

Believe that you are good enough to be a leader. Leaders come from all backgrounds, perspectives, and with all kinds of personalities and skills. There are no leaders who know everything and can do everything on their own. The key to leadership is surrounding yourself with a team that complements your skills and areas of improvement.

What are you doing to help empower women?

One way I support women is by being the executive sponsor of our Women’s Networking Group at AES, and I do a lot of informal mentoring of women at various stages in their careers. In addition, I want all women to be able to see themselves as potential leaders. So, I spend a lot of time sharing how I developed confidence in my leadership abilities. I want women to know that having to overcome challenges does not preclude you from leadership; in fact, it will likely make you a better leader. If I could learn how to develop my leadership confidence, others can too!

Fun Facts:

• Stylish, skilled interior decorator

• Enjoys beautifying her home and others

• Has a sophisticated eye that grabs everyone’s attention

Deborah Oatts is a founder of Nubian Construction Group. She’s developed her company into a leader in construction management. Outside of her daily role as CEO, Deborah is a visionary whose heart beats to the rhythm of interior design and fashion. She’s also dedicated to mentoring young women, nurturing their talent, and encouraging them to fearlessly embrace their unique purpose.

Fun Facts:

• I’m a voiceover artist.

• I have an extensive collection of chopsticks.

• I have 4 younger brothers, I’m the only girl.

Three words to describe yourself.

Industrious, courageous, unapologetic

What brings you joy?

Traveling and enjoying the local food culture.

Other roles?

In addition to owning and operating a restaurant, I’m also a restaurant consultant, specializing in taking concepts and bringing them to life, and expanding and scaling existing restaurant concepts to maximize small business market shares, social media reach, and profitability.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Meteorologist/News Anchor

Most daring or brave thing you’ve ever done?

Building a successful restaurant concept in Indianapolis — a concept around a regional southern seafood experience from Florida.

Important “life lessons” you’ve learned and want to pass along.

Prioritize the care of your mental, spiritual, and physical health EQUALLY.

Some wardrobe pieces make women feel confident/powerful. What’s your “power piece”?

I LOVE a good HOOP EARRING.

Describe your personal “style”?

Eclectic, colorful, bold, authentically me.

FUN FACTS:

• I would say I’m adventurous – I’ve bungee jumped and flown in a Black Hawk
• I have a creative side which I like to use in my love for cooking and music. I used to play the saxophone.
• I completed the FBI Citizens Academy program.

Hobbies, what do you do in your free time?

I like to run, cook, travel, music, movies, and theatre, and any outdoor and/or sporting activity – particularly being on the sidelines of the soccer fields watching my children compete.

Volunteer roles or community service?

I am passionate about service to our community and helping make our community a thriving and diverse place (i.e., placemaking, economic development, diversity of people and place, etc.) where people and business can reach their full potential and where there are equitable opportunities for all. I have served and continue to serve on numerous Boards for non-profit organizations such as: Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF)(Immediate Past Board Chair); Aspire (Immediate Past Board Chair); IU Maurer School of Law Alumni Board (Vice Chair); Indianapolis Zoo (Board Secretary); Accelerate Indy (Strategy Council); Institute for Study Abroad; INHP (previously) and a few others previously. In my company, I formed the first Women’s Network for the US which is now a global Women’s Network and I serve on the Founding Board. I also lead the company’s Diversity Initiative and serve on the Philanthropy committee. I serve as a mentor for women both within my company and outside the company (for ex. I am a mentor for up and coming leaders going through ILI’s Leadership Circle program and a mentor through the ISBA’s mentor match program).

Your first job and what important lessons did it teach you?

My first job was when I was 13 and I worked as an administrative office clerk. It taught me work ethic, organizational and communication skills, how to engage in a professional environment, and time management. As a teenager it wasn’t easy to work through the summer rather than spending that time with your friends, but it taught me the bigger picture in life and the value of money and earning the things you want – (“wants” vs “needs”). I liked the feeling of a semblance of independence, and this has stayed with me throughout my life. I always worked through high school and through college and I work to instill the same in my children so that they can learn and understand the value of hard work.

What “career” advice would you give women?

Be confident in yourself and your abilities and skillsets. Put yourself out there and take on stretch assignments to showcase your skills. This gives you more exposure in a different way. Also, form your own “board of directors” – people who you can go to for advice, mentoring, networking, etc. – the board would be comprised of people within your company and/or outside your company, and people in both your professional and personal network.

What quality/characteristic of yours do your friends/family admire most?

I think people admire my ability to form and nurture relationships, I put others first, and my patience. They appreciate my ability to bring calm to a situation and think through it from multiple perspective

Fun Facts:

• In my freshman year of high school, which was eons ago, I was part of an All American 4×400 relay and we ranked 9th in the nation.
• Before graduating from College, I was a David Letterman Scholarship Recipient.
• When I worked for a Global Paper and Packaging Company, my family had the opportunity to live abroad in Brussels, Belgium.

Fun or thrilling experience?

Ziplining in the Sky Forest in La Fortuna, Costa Rica over the Arenal Volcano and Lake. It was 4.5 miles long, with a maximum height of 660 feet, across 8 cables! I was scared to death! It was NOT exhilarating until I got back on the ground! But, now I can brag about completing the highest zipline in Costa Rica!

Favorite music, musician, or concert?

Our son, he’s an emerging artist, known as midwxst!

How do you relax, de-stress, and take care of yourself in general?

I really enjoy rainy days, binge-watching old TV shows like Matlock and Heat of the Night, and napping with our Great Dane, Juno, close by!

“Empowering” advice you’d give women?

Devote time to “loving and pampering” yourself. So often, as women, we are busy being everything to everybody else, and we forget about the importance of carving out time for self-care! It could be as simple as meditating, taking a hot bath or extra-long shower, or writing notes of encouragement to yourself in a journal.

What impact do you want to have on the world?

I want to close out each day of my life knowing that every day I made an effort to lift someone up with a smile, a kind word, or sharing my time, talent and treasures in a way that can make a difference. The daily focus creates moments to celebrate more often!

Fun facts:

• Terrible Dancer

• Favorite place to shop is Goodwill

• I am a member of the Zac Brown Band fan club – been to a ZBB concert in 12 different cities

Favorite thing to do with your family or friends?

Live music any place outside, on a lawn, beach, patio

What did you want to be when you grew up?

A nun because my first grade teacher was a nun and she was amazing, but then I realized that I could be a teacher and not have to be a nun, so from there on my goal was to be a teacher when I grew up.

What do you like most about your job or volunteer roles?

In my career, in classrooms, schools, or now with Girl Scouts what I like most is the “ah-ha” moment when a child learns something new, or falls, fails and then succeeds, or achieves a goal they set for themselves.

What’s your advice for women to live their best life?

Take care of yourself, it is ok to have alone time, to take the girls trip, to spend time with friends, or on hobbies. You will be a better parent, partner, work peer if you schedule this time versus squeeze it in.

Important “life lessons” you’ve learned?

That the sun will come up tomorrow. No matter how bad today is, there is another moment for a fresh start just a day away, and again, and again.

Fun Facts:

• I had fraternal twins on my birthday
• As a student at Indiana Business College, I was offered the opportunity to be in a commercial
• Prior to my work with Dress for Success, I was a volunteer in OK (Our Kids) and MOOK (Mothers of OK), an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department crime prevention mentoring program. My work with MOOK earned me their Mother of the Year Award in 2011.

What brings you joy?

Being a Christian

Your first job and what important lessons did it teach you?

Working in a Day Care. It taught me to be observant of your surroundings.

What “career” advice would you give women?

Be open to opportunities and learn from past mistakes

Most daring or brave thing you’ve ever done?

Put a snake around my neck

What are you doing to help make life better in all ways for all women?

I started a business called Girls for Success LLC, a youth program for ages 13-17 teaching them about finance, professional skills, and life skills