Member Feature: Carina Knecht, Ameriprise Financial Advisor

A Woman of Many Hats… Carina Knecht! 

There are various levels of involvement in the Utah Women’s Networking Group, which is great because we aim to create opportunities at all levels. One of our members, Carina Knecht, has managed to take advantage of every opportunity! She is an Ambassador. She is an Area Connector of two groups. She is the Main Sponsor for our Non-Profit Luncheon this month. Shall we go on?

When she’s not wearing her UTWNG hat, Carina is a Financial Advisor with Ameriprise Financial. She’s not only in the business of helping others pursue their wealth, she is also in the business of helping them grow their financial confidence in the future. She helps individuals balance pursuing their dreams for tomorrow with what is wanted today. In her own words, “I’m here to help you live the life you’ve earned. When you have the right advisor, life can be brilliant.”

Check out Carina’s answers to our six questions:

Share something about yourself that can’t be found on your resume.
Something that would not be found on my resume is my kids! I have biological kids and six kids who have come to call me mom. Of my biological kids, I have one (almost two) married, two teens and one 10-year-old. My “adopted” kids have come to us by way of exchange programs and other like opportunities.  

Who is/has been your role model/mentor? And what is one key thing they taught you?
Ana Bay is an inspiration to me because not only did she become a BYU Professor while raising four boys, but she exemplified her teachings which were that just because you’re a mom, you still need to pursue your dreams and aspirations. 

If you could travel anywhere in the world – money is not an issue – where would you go and why?
If money weren’t an option I would travel to Egypt! I’ve always been very fond of the history and culture there. It’s horrible, neat, and exciting all in one. 

What is a motto or phrase you live and/or work by?
A motto that I and my family try to live by is “BE NICE. WORK HARD.”

Who is your must-listen-to or must-read author, blog or video blog? How do they inspire, motivate, encourage and/or help you?
A favorite author of mine is Agatha Christie. She inspires me to pay attention to details and let’s face it, I’m a sucker for a good mystery. 

Any last words of wisdom to share with UTWNG members and future members?
My advice to other amazing members of this group, both now and future, is to keep working on all of your relationships because both the good parts and the bad parts can teach you a lot about yourself and the world around you. AND to always STAY POSITIVE! 

Since we already know that Carina will be at the next event, and we hope you are too, be sure to thank her for her passion for the UTWNG and ask her what she loves most.

Member Feature: Jodie Turner, Eagle Electric, Inc.

Member Feature: Jodie Turner, Eagle Electric, Inc.

Turn a Light on for… Jodie Turner! 

Part of what makes the Utah Women’s Networking Group go around is our dedicated members who support us at every turn. One member, in particular, is Jodie Turner of Eagle Electric, Inc.

Jodie serves as Vice President for Eagle Electric which provides electrical contractor services for new, remodel, residential, and commercial projects. They offer a full 24-hour service department, and believe that no job is too small! Something cool to note, most of their management and key employees have been with Eagle for 10 or more years.

Let’s get to know a little more about Jodie. We put her to our six-question test:

Share something about yourself that can’t be found on your resume.
Tough question. I love classic muscle cars and can be found at car shows, either taking my car or just to see the others cars a lot of weekends when the weather is nice.

Who is/has been your role model/mentor? And what is one key thing they taught you?
My Dad. He taught me just about everything I know about my industry and continues to teach me. He also taught me that what you put out to the world comes back to you in waves (negative, positive, whatever).

If you could travel anywhere in the world – money is not an issue – where would you go and why?
Greece and Rome (not all of Italy, just Rome)! I really want to see the ancient ruins of Greece and Rome. I am fascinated with that era.

What is a motto or phrase you live and/or work by?
I have two: “Service Above Self” the Rotary motto and “Strive not to be a success, but rather be of value” – Albert Einstein. I believe living these two things will make a person rich, not necessarily always monetarily, but in life. But I also believe that you get back what you put into the world and then some.

Who is your must-listen-to or must-read author, blog or video blog? How do they inspire, motivate, encourage and/or help you?
I don’t really have any that I follow often really. “You Are a Bad Ass” by Jen Sincero changed a lot of my outlooks about myself, “The Compound Effect” by Darren Hardy really spoke to me and I’ve been trying to implement some of that. I could go on forever. I devour books usually!

Any last words of wisdom to share with UTWNG members and future members?
Get involved. Talk, listen and get to people in UTWNG and it will be the most beneficial and amazing thing you have ever done. So many women to look up to, support and help you through just about anything, and you will also find the reverse and have many women to help and support. It gives you a whole new world of friends, and who couldn’t use more friends?

Jodie is a bright light (no pun intended) in the UTWNG. And we love that she is a kickass woman helping to lead and running an electric company! At the next event, be sure to seek out Jodie and say hi.

Member Feature: Tracey Dean, Tracey Dean Financial

Member Feature: Tracey Dean, Tracey Dean Financial

The One, The Only… Tracey Dean! 

Each month we will highlight a member of the Utah Women’s Networking Group. To kick off this new feature, we thought it would be fitting to introduce you to the faithful directors of this fabulous group.

Tracey Dean FinancialFirst up is none other than Tracey Dean of Tracey Dean Financial. To best understand how Tracey makes a difference in the world every day, here are her own words, “I am a holistic financial adviser specializing in small business planning and those in transition; new marriage, children, loss of loved one, divorce or retirement. I am here to take care of your most pressing needs. I take a needs analysis approach to help plan your individual financial blueprint to steer you to success. A fun, easy approach, that’s my goal.

Tracey serves as the Director of Events for the UTWNG. She works hard to find great venues and opportunities for members to gather together to network, build relationships and wherever possible support a worthwhile cause. And if you attend our monthly luncheons or breakfasts, you have definitely seen Tracey in action.

We have six key questions and here is what sweet, funny and direct Tracey had to say:

Share something about yourself that can’t be found on your resume.
Pretty much everything. I’m best known for my smile and for making people laugh because I am so damn funny.

Who is/has been your role model/mentor? And what is one key thing they taught you?
This is always a tough question for me, I really do not have a meaningful mentor or role model… other than Warren Buffett, I would love to pick his brain if just for one day!

If you could travel anywhere in the world – money is not an issue – where would you go and why?
Vietnam. Up until a few years ago, I hadn’t realized the beauty. Let alone the history, as my dad fought in the Vietnam War. I’m incredibly intrigued by this amazing country.

What is a motto or phrase you live and/or work by?
I know it sounds cliché, but based on my near-death car accident, I always say, “Life is too short” and “Work hard, play harder!”

Who is your must-listen-to or must-read author, blog or video blog? How do they inspire, motivate, encourage and/or help you?
Michael Kitces is a very successful financial advisor and he has a blog, Nerd’s Eye View. His insight into my world is amazing and extremely helpful. However, I am addicted to any TED Talk in any industry.

Any last words of wisdom to share with UTWNG members and future members?
Show up and participate. Share your insight when others are in need and… sponsor everything I ask!

We hope you enjoyed getting to know a little more about Tracey. Next time you are at an UTWNG event, walk over and say “hi” to Tracey and thank her for her dedicated service. She’s awesome and we are thrilled she is part of the leadership team.