We had an energizing interview with Jennifer Griffith, Regional President of First Merchants Bank in Ohio.

Jennifer shared her journey and insights on leadership, growth, and building strong, values-driven teams. Her people-first mentality and actionable advice were truly inspiring, not just for those in banking but for leaders and professionals everywhere.

Here are 3 key takeaways worth reflecting on:

• Lead with Influence, Not Authority: Jennifer emphasized the power of humility, self-awareness, and servant leadership. Focusing on positively influencing your team rather than relying on formal authority.
• Don’t Wait for an Invitation—Bring Your Value: Especially for women and underrepresented groups, Jennifer’s advice was clear: always be prepared, speak up, and find ways to contribute meaningfully in every room you enter.
• Invest in Growth and Self-Awareness: Whether it’s through supporting community initiatives or encouraging personal and professional development, Jennifer highlights the lasting impact of continuous learning and self-reflection.

Inspiring Moments

00:00 "Complexity & Misunderstanding in Banking"

04:23 "Influence Over Authority in Leadership"

09:30 Understanding Roles in Meetings

13:08 "Build Careers on Personal Values"

16:26 "Embrace Strengths for Growth"

22:44 Community Impact Through Organizing

24:22 Future of Digital Transactions

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by:

• City of Upper Arlington.

To schedule a guest appearance, or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:

Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

katie@chamberpartnership.org

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

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Copyright 2025 Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

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The Business Case for DEI - "We've been incorporating this work from day one because frankly, it's smart business." Jennifer Sconyers

In this episode, hosts Brett Johnson and Katie Ellis sit down with Jennifer Sconyers, founder of Abundance Leadership Consulting (ALC). Jennifer shares her inspiring journey from an ambitious 15-year-old dreaming of entrepreneurship to the creator of a consulting firm focused on building high-performing, healthy organizations through a holistic, values-driven, and abundance-minded approach.

Jennifer reveals her insights on the true meaning of abundance in leadership, the importance of creating workplaces where employees genuinely want to stay, and practical strategies for navigating change and chaos—both internally with your team and externally with your clients.

She reinforces the vital integration of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) principles, the role of creative collaboration across ecosystems, and shares real-life success stories where ALC helped turn organizational challenges into measurable progress.

Whether you’re a business owner, team leader, or someone passionate about positive change in the workplace, this episode offers thoughtful advice and actionable inspiration to help you and your organization thrive—especially in times of uncertainty.

Here are 3 key takeaways from the episode:

Abundance Mindset Fuels Innovation: Jennifer highlights that thinking abundantly means focusing on possibilities, even in challenging times. This mindset helps leaders balance realism with visionary thinking, fortifying organizations during unpredictable shifts.

Values-Driven Cultures Retain Talent: ALC’s work emphasizes that alignment between individual and organizational values is fundamental for happiness and retention. Operationalizing values through transparency, feedback, and clear decision-making builds strong teams that want to stay and grow together.

Communication & Connection Build Resilience: Especially during change, Jennifer urges leaders to proactively communicate with both staff and clients. Frequent, transparent check-ins alleviate anxiety, foster trust, and help teams adapt to chaos with confidence.

Inspiring Moments

03:31 From Employee to Entrepreneur

09:52 Effective Change Communication Strategies

12:39 Proactive Communication and Funding Strategies

14:46 DEI: Essential for Business Success

20:01 Evolving Leadership Through Experience

21:21 "Embrace Discomfort in Leadership"

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by:

• City of Upper Arlington.

To schedule a guest appearance, or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:

Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber Partnership

katie@chamberpartnership.org

Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player.

HELP US SPREAD THE WORD!

In this episode, hosts Brett Johnson and Katie Ellis sit down with Dr. Matt Walker, the dynamic CEO of Options Medical Weight Loss.

Dr. Walker shares his unique journey from flipping houses and playing semi-professional rugby, to opening chiropractic practices and ultimately founding a rapidly growing medical weight loss company with more than 40 locations. You'll hear how a passion for personalized care, cutting-edge technology, and long-term health inspired the creation of Options Medical Weight Loss, and what sets their approach apart in an increasingly crowded field.

Dr. Walker and his team focus not just on losing weight, but on fat loss, muscle retention, and empowering their clients with education and guidance for lasting change.

From innovative nutrition systems to personalized bloodwork and the latest in GLP-1 medications, Dr. Walker unpacks the science, the stories, and the vision for a healthier future.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, a healthcare professional, or just looking for inspiration on your own wellness journey, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

Here are 3 key takeaways you won’t want to miss:

• Personalized, Guided Weight Loss: Options Medical Weight Loss focuses on individualized care, going beyond just the number on the scale. By using technology like advanced bioimpedance scales and thorough bloodwork, they address the unique factors behind each patient’s health journey.
• Comprehensive Support System: Success isn’t about a quick fix. Dr. Walker emphasizes a multi-faceted approach—nutrition, sleep, stress management, activity, and, when appropriate, medication—all tailored to the individual while providing regular in-person or virtual guidance.
• Education and Empowerment: Their mission is all about empowering patients. With robust education resources and a team that genuinely cares, clients are set up not just to lose weight, but to maintain their results and improve their overall health long term.

Inspiring Moments

04:46 Technology-Driven Health and Longevity

09:12 Holistic Health and Metabolic Testing

12:22 GLP-1: Appetite Control and Blood Sugar

15:33 Managing Diet for Enhanced Energy

18:35 Life-Changing Patient Transformations

21:16 Expanding Clinics with Remote Care

To run a successful business, you need resources, valuable connections, and community recognition. Business Inspires will provide you with the tools, resources, and examples to inspire you to create the business you envision.

With more than 60 years as an integral part of the Grandview, Upper Arlington, and Marble Cliff communities, the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership is dedicated to a singular purpose - the success of the business community.

Thank you for downloading, listening, and following Business Inspires, a Tri-Village Chamber Partnership podcast.

This season is presented by:

• City of Upper Arlington.

To schedule a guest appearance, or find out more about sponsoring Business Inspires, send an email to:

Katie Ellis, President/CEO, Tri-Village Chamber...