EPIC Toledo 2019 Chair Katie Moline

We are excited to announce our 2019 EPIC Toledo Advisory Council Chair Katie Moline!  Get to know a bit more about Katie through her interview below.

How did you get involved in with EPIC?

My friend encouraged me to apply to be part of the first “Leading by Example” group with Randy Oostra, CEO of ProMedica. A small group gathered at a round table with coffee to be some of the first in Toledo to hear his vision for downtown Toledo and have a discussion. I quickly fell in love with the group of determined, intelligent, and positive young professionals in the room, so I knew right away that I had to get more involved to see what we could do to make a positive impact in Toledo.

Greatest Accomplishment (in last three years)

Becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).  The certification process requires many hours of study and a grueling state exam, but the designation is worth it.  Being a CPA gives me the chance to work with businesses that are the economic engines that move our community forward. It also provides me the resources to support organizations that need accounting and financial expertise.

What’s your favorite thing about Toledo?

I’ve called Toledo home my whole life. Right now the city is bursting with new ideas, and I’ve been lucky enough to witness the change in mentality from, “That can’t work,” to, “Let’s try it!”  Also, our rich history, proximity to fresh-water lakes and rivers, the revitalization of downtown, and the immediacy to important and influential people are incredible. For those reasons (any many more), I am always proud to say that I am from Toledo.

Favorite advice/quote to live by

My mom always told me that, “Your light doesn’t shine brighter by putting out someone else’s.” I try to live by that philosophy every day.

What are you watching? Reading?

I absolutely love to read! Right now, I am switching between a few books including Michelle Obama’s “Becoming,” Bob Woodward’s “Fear,” and “Conversations with Friends,” by Sally Rooney. My husband and I are watching Marvel’s “The Punisher” on Netflix, and I’m in the middle of the Marie Kondo series about Tidying Up.

Favorite place to travel?

I love traveling to Greece – the water, the culture, the history, the food – everything is vibrant, rich and inspiring. However, closer to home, spending summertime in Northern Michigan always makes me smile, slow down, and appreciate the natural beauty of our region.

How old were you when you had your first paying job?

Netty’s Ice Cream on Bellevue Road was my first job.  At age 14, I was told I was too young to apply, but after two months of writing to the owner to explain my qualifications and reasons why she should hire me, she finally gave me a chance. I learned at a very young age that persistence pays off.

What is your leadership style?

Share the wealth!  I believe people do best when they have the tools to put their ideas into action and are celebrated when they rise to their expectations.

What is your vision for EPIC 2019 – if we’re sitting here a year from now celebrating a great twelve months, what does this look like to you?

I want EPIC to be the launchpad for leadership.  This includes supporting the new demands of young professionals, increasing our influence with current leaders, and continuing to have excellent leadership programming like the Board Member Accelerator Series and Leadership Summit.  I want EPIC to grow visibly in Toledo and throughout Ohio, where our collective voice helps to shape the conversation about developing our capacity locally. Finally, I want EPIC to be fun! EPIC should always be a space where we have big aspirations, but can still have a great time.

What was your journey like to get where you are?

I see my journey in five chapters.

First, I grew up in West Toledo attending Blessed Sacrament and Central Catholic High School.

Then, chapter 2, found me studying at Miami University with opportunities to study abroad and work in Luxembourg, Ukraine, and Russia. Then, I moved to St. Petersburg, Russia where I completed a Master’s degree at European University at St. Petersburg. I also taught English to earn money and took ballroom dancing lessons for fun!

Chapter 3 began with moving back to Toledo to fulfill a lifelong dream of working for U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9), reconnecting with my city and family, and joining an emerging group of Toledoans who dreamed big and did the work to make our community better.

My fourth chapter started in my pursuit of being a CPA. I decided to take a leap of faith and switch careers. I am so glad that I did. Around the same time, I met my husband, and moved back into my original West Toledo neighborhood with our cat (Stas) and our dog (Roscoe).

The fifth chapter, where I am today, has me living some of my favorite opportunities like serving as Chair of EPIC Toledo and being a senior audit accountant at my CPA firm, Weber Clark.

Katie & Phil Moline at the 2018 EPIC Toledo Birthday Bash with Advisory Council

Katie helping out at the 2018 Nonprofit Palooza

Katie introducing Council Member Nick Komives in Council Chambers