My name is Annora Harbick, and as I celebrate my one-year anniversary at Women of Toledo, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement for the coming year.
I moved with my family to Ohio in late 2019, and my time in Toledo has been an adventure, for sure! Through the pandemic, the unpacking, the different jobs and people and places, this city has welcomed me as a mom, a book lover, and an occasional kitchen gourmet. I’ve grown to love Toledo—along with its libraries, parks, and farmers markets—and love that we’ve made it home.
When I first learned about Women of Toledo, it was through the Girls Hub program. I signed up for the Women of Toledo newsletter to learn more about opportunities for young women in Toledo, especially the two I’m helping raise. The Girls Hub is unlike any other program for youth in our city, providing a space where creativity, innovation, and empowerment come together and offering young women the tools they need to build their seats at the table. It was so incredible to see the group of this year’s kids (including my own daughters) in the Girls Hub program grow, find community, and discover their potential in unconventional ways through this program.
Women of Toledo are deeply rooted in the community and serve within the framework of taking the next step, which is moving forward. In doing this work, we are a part of uniting women from all backgrounds and empowering them to rise and achieve their goals. I’m proud to be part of an organization that uplifts and supports those it serves and to work with both founding member and Managing Director Nina Corder and Associate Director Sierra Ortiz. Our whole team is passionate about creating meaningful and empowering spaces where connection, collaboration, networking, and mentorship opportunities flourish and we all contribute to the mission to educate, engage, and empower women and young women to keep moving forward.
Nina’s leadership creates a supportive environment where everyone’s voice matters, helping us connect with our purpose. She empowers our team by providing the resources we need and including us in big decisions, which mirrors how we work with our many partners in the community. Every team member is encouraged to find our personal "why" in our work-- Why here? Why now? Why this? For many of us, that "why" is deeply tied to our relationship with Nina. It’s a difficult task in today’s world to find a leader who is passionate, humble, someone who is unwilling to compromise on quality, and equally willing to be vulnerable—she’s not superhuman, but sometimes that’s easy to forget. Her determination, her hands on deck, and her “get it done” attitude have built an organization that Toledo can be proud of, and I’m grateful to be part of its growth.
When I joined the team, I was also taking the next step. After years of working in the for-profit world, including roles at a Fortune 1000 company, small businesses, startup ventures, and as an entrepreneur, I sought to channel my experience in operations and planning into work that held more personal meaning for me. I deeply wanted a role that went beyond profit margins and into important impacts. At Women of Toledo, I have found that purpose and also unexpected opportunities to challenge myself both personally and professionally.
Engaging with the community and seeing the impact of our work has been incredibly fulfilling—exactly what I had hoped for, and (most days) more!
**Annora is currently the Senior Operation Associate for Women of Toledo. She manages all of the organization's daily affairs and operations. We are grateful for her talents and wisdom in helping our Directors manage day-to-day operations. Thank you, Annora.
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