Woman Power
As Women’s History Month comes to a close, Geomedia would like to recognize and show appreciation to all the women who have shaped our world and made it a better place. We sat down with our lovely ladies and asked them a series of 9 questions. We hope their responses resonate deeply within you as they did for us.
Chantel Nasits, Production Manager
1. Who is your favorite actress? I know everyone would expect me to say this, but hands-down, since I was a kid, Audrey Hepburn. Audrey was classy, a Humanitarian, an amazing actress and her style is still stunning!
2. Who is your role model/ heroine? She may not know this, but my role model is Beth Wammack, COO at GDC Marketing & Ideation. Beth is one of the most authentic women I have met in business. She leads a huge team over at GDC and has helped to guide me with my own leadership goals. I love the way she supports her team and the company culture she has helped to create in her own company.
3. What is most important to you in your life? My family, friends and my production family (they know who they are) are most important, I value my relationships with my core group because they keep me grounded, but they teach me to dream. I hate the term “self-made”, because behind every person there are people that have helped us become who we are.
4. What do you love most about Geomedia? I get to work with a super talented, quirky team, including my own Husband! We have the opportunity to collaborate with diverse clientele to produce amazing creative. Also, I am blown away by the support Geomedia has given me as a working mother whose most important job is taking care of my family’s needs. When I need to take my children to school or an appointment, I’m shown nothing but understanding and support from my coworkers.
5. If you could meet any woman from history, dead or alive, who would it be? Oprah
6. What is your favorite quote? “You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.” Mark Twain
7. What is your biggest strength? Well, according to the Clifton Strengths Finder 2.0 – it is WOO, which basically means I like connections with people, I’m rarely at a loss for words and I love the satisfaction of breaking the ice and meeting strangers.
8. What gets you motivated? The Sunrise, my Children, a strong cup of coffee, my production team mates that have all been in the trenches on set with me is where I get most of my motivation, but life also motivates me.
9. Why is Women’s History Month important to you? Too many times we have a tendency to lose our self-confidence or think we are not strong enough to conquer our dreams and succeed in business and in life. Being proud of our accomplishments as women and helping to support other women is an important part of Women’s History Month and I am proud to help lead the charge for my own girls, Chase and Zoe.
Kimberly Sabatino, Marketing Coordinator
1. Who is your favorite actress? Cate Blanchett, all the way. She’s driven, accomplished, an advocate for women’s rights, beautiful and an incredible actress. I love how she never quits and keeps getting better and better with each role she plays!
2. Who is your role model/ heroine? I would have to say that lately it’s been Debra Innocenti, Partner, Strasburger & Price, LLP. She’s an inspiration to all women, especially those in the workforce, like myself. Her strength comes from empowering women, mentoring, advising and working hard to change the status quo. I recall her saying, “we need to develop microcosms of women to surround ourselves with and help each other,” in one of her panels. This resonated with me because I truly believe the only way to succeed is to support each other, not tear each other apart or compete with one another.
3. What is most important to you in your life? First and foremost my family, my beliefs, my friends and loved ones. I also believe that love is one of the most important parts of life and that we should all treat each other with respect, kindness and patience. On a less serious note, my dog is also pretty important to me because he’s fluffy, loves to cuddle and is always happy to see me when I walk through the door… He’s president of my fan club.
4. What do you love most about Geomedia? I have learned quickly that everyone working here matters and that being a strong team is of the utmost value. I appreciate a company, like Geomedia, that treats everyone as equals and encourages each other to grow. I also love the fact that the upstairs break room is always fully stocked with Pop Tarts… *eating one as I type*
5. If you could meet any woman from history, dead or alive, who would it be? Either Diane Sawyer or Margaret Bourke-White
6. What is your favorite quote? “There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” C.S. Lewis
7. What is your biggest strength? I think my biggest strength is my passion for life and adventurous spirit. I’m also a good listener, or so I’m told.
8. What gets you motivated? The beauty of life and all it has to offer, hardworking people, my friends, my family, fascinating strangers and Bird Bakery’s cupcakes.
9. Why is Women’s History Month important to you? I believe it’s imperative that women are celebrated, not just for one month, but everyday. Women have overcome a lot of obstacles over the decades and are, in my humble opinion, some of the most passionate, hardworking, caring forces on this earth. Women should be respected for who they are, not measured by what people think they should be.
What Geomedians are Saying About Women
Who is a woman who currently inspires you, past or present?
“My sister, Jennifer Zientz, truly inspires me. As a nurturing wife and mother to three active boys, she also serves as head of clinical services at the Center for Brain Health Services in Dallas, TX. She is SO intelligent and seems to understand exactly why and how people think the way they do. I am always impressed hearing about her publications in brain science and experiences at work, where she develops programs and tools that provide brain health development and cognitive solutions for Navy Seal teams, students, doctors and patients, large corporations, and more. Between her intensive work schedule and vivacious home life, she somehow maintains balance in her life and appears to do so with ease… which I am sure, is not the case.” – Zach Nasits, Director of Photography
“Malala Yousafzai. To go through what she went through and still be as positive as she is… that to me is really inspiring. She has dedicated her life to doing positive things and helping people. We need more of that in the world.” – Jeff Chesnut, Senior Editor
“Harriet Tubman inspires me because she was very brave, innovative and a hero from her time. Everything she did was truly inspirational.” – Murray Breit, Director
“Julie Hoshizaki. Her experience and expertise in programming is awesome. She went from game programming for the Atari to head of programming at Northwest Vista College in San Antonio.” – Joe Guerra, Game Developer
This is women’s history month. What would you like to shine a light on?
“Women’s history month gives me the opportunity to reflect on the wonderful women who have been champions in my life. My mother, wife, sister, teachers, co-workers and bosses have shaped, supported, and defended my everyday existence and have made me a better person.” – Jeff Stoyer, Animation Director
“The unfortunate misunderstanding of feminism. Feminism, is not a cult or boorish clique, it is simply the advocacy for equal civil rights for both females and males. This is an idea I’m hopeful that all humans can get behind, or at least have empathy for.” – Cullen Morris, 3D Artist
Our Favorite Quotes by Influential Women
“I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived. Curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.” Eleanor Roosevelt
“I believe in pink. I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles.” Audrey Hepburn
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.” Maya Angelou