Attracting What Matters: Jennifer Scheel’s Vision for Cleveland
01:01
Carrie Aguilar
Hey, everyone. Welcome back to In Her Land, where we highlight amazing women who are leaders in their fields in and around Cleveland. I'm Carrie.
01:09
Mara Kamat
And I'm Mara. Each show we sit down with women leading with purpose, the kind of women who build, rebuild, and reimagine our communities from the ground up.
01:21
Carrie Aguilar
Today we're so excited to be joined by someone who has such an incredible impact on the economic landscape here in Cleveland. And today welcome Jennifer Schiel, the Executive Attraction Officer for the city of Cleveland.
01:34
Mara Kamat
Jennifer, welcome.
01:36
Jennifer Scheel
Thank you.
01:37
Mara Kamat
First of all, before we get into your background and early career, you know, something that stood out to me is this job title that you have, Executive Attraction Officer. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
01:51
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah.
01:51
Carrie Aguilar
And do you have E? Like, when you sign your name, do you put like E A O?
01:55
Jennifer Scheel
I sometimes shorten it to E A, O, but not in the email. I'll just say, you know, if I'm going somewhere on the mayor's behalf, like, the EAO will join him.
02:04
Carrie Aguilar
Okay. And just for those people who don't work in civic government, is a EAO actually a thing? Like when you say that, people are like, oh, yeah, we know that you're the Executive Attraction officer, so.
02:16
Jennifer Scheel
No, because this is a. First of all, it's a new role in the city of Cleveland. The city of Cleveland sort of pioneering this idea. Other cities have people dedicated to business attraction, but the title, I think, is new. And the fact that we are investing so much time and energy and resources locally into it is, I think,
02:35
Carrie Aguilar
Notable and anchor on the title, too.
02:37
Jennifer Scheel
I love that. Yeah, I love that. And if you think about who is fun, who is part of my role, who funds me, it's the Cleveland foundation and destination Cleveland. So these are all people that are really critical and are in Cleveland in attracting investors, attracting visitors, attracting, and now attracting businesses.
02:55
Carrie Aguilar
Cool.
02:56
Mara Kamat
So in the Conversation. We'll get more into your role, but at a high level. Can you tell us like, what is an executive attraction Officer?
03:04
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah. So I am focused on bringing businesses to the city of Cleveland from outside of the city of Cleveland and really from outside of Ohio. We're really not in the, you know, robbing Peter to pay Paul business in the poaching business. I'm looking outside of Ohio, even internationally in some cases, to bring businesses to Cleveland that are either growing and just that's their next office or we want. They're looking totally reshore.
03:27
Carrie Aguilar
Cool.
03:28
Mara Kamat
Fabulous. Before diving into what you're currently working on, can we start learning a little bit about you and your and early career? Maybe do a quick overview of what you did before this fun and fancy title?
03:41
Jennifer Scheel
Okay, sure. So I grew up in a little town called Granger Township, which is right between Medina. It's in Medina county, but right on the edge of Bath. I went to Highland School District and then I went with Carrie to Western Reserve Academy, which was like very formative for me. And actually I think I just learned probably like who I am today is 90% because of that school. And then I went to Ohio State. I majored in finance and German and I. I minored in PolSci. And I just kind of really like my dream job was like working for, you know, in a corporate position at like BMW in Germany. That is not what played out. Like, we all have. We all have our dreams and then we have the actuality.
04:23
Jennifer Scheel
So what happened was I got recruited outside of graduation to go to headquarters for Booz Allen Hamilton, which is a management consultant in McLean, Virginia. And they gave me the choice, do we have an office in Columbus or do you want to go to dc? And I had done an internship and fellowship that John at Glenn Fellowship in D.C. and I interned at the Department of Justice. And so I was like, I want to be in dc. I loved it. And yeah, and I loved Booz Allen. It was very much like a reserve where it was like very formative. And I worked in the economic and business analysis team. I kind of got into the Department of Defense through that. They just had a need. And my specialty became ground armored vehicles. And I worked for the Marine Corps. Yes. And so then I.
05:10
Jennifer Scheel
And you know, consulting is great for so many reasons. One of those things is that I got to work on so many different things, but I use that experience to then work myself into the aerospace industry. And then I was asked by NASA to serve on their Science Mission Directorate mission evaluations, which is like, one of my favorite things that I've done in the last. I've been doing that for 10 years.
05:30
Mara Kamat
So I too, have a passion for aviation, mainly because I worked at GE Aviation for five years. Yeah, great.
05:36
Jennifer Scheel
Well, we should leverage those connections to bring some more work at Cleveland.
05:40
Mara Kamat
It would beautiful.
05:42
Carrie Aguilar
So you talked about your time at Booz Allen. Can you talk about something that you learned potentially there or even at NASA? What do you find that you kind of pull back or pull from that experience to what you do right now?
05:58
Jennifer Scheel
Oh, my gosh. Well, one thing is I have zero fear of public speaking because of that. They, you know, I was 22, and they're like, go present in front of the general. And you're like, oh, what? I am not qualified. And they're like, yeah, you are, and you're gonna mess up. And like, you. You know that you have. I think there's a healthy amount of insecurity that. Right. You really shouldn't be there. Right. But they're letting you fail and they're getting you trained up. And, you know, everyone knows that you're sort of there for professional development, but it helps you. You're not faking it until you make it. You're studying your butt off to make sure you can answer every single question that comes. And that's. It's really learning it to earn it.
06:34
Jennifer Scheel
That's what, that's what it taught me is just like thinking on your feet, relying on facts. And the best thing that I already kind of touched on is I worked on so many different things, like the very first Agile software program that the Marine Corps ever instituted, and a tank, and, you know, an astrophysics deep space probe. You know what I mean? And I had to be able to answer questions on each and every one of them. And so I like the ability to be dynamic and move and use a critical analytical process that I could apply across these functions. Yeah, that. It was like the best thing that I was ever taught to me.
07:12
Mara Kamat
What was the scope of your role, like, at a high level for these projects within Booz Allen?
07:17
Jennifer Scheel
So within Booz Allen, I was, you know, I was a consultant and a senior consultant. So really I did a lot of the real work. I wasn't, I didn't have a team. I managed maybe a little bit at the end, I did. And then because I just have an interest in it, I started working a lot on our proposals and our relationship building for business development. And so that's. I very early on was super involved in that work. And I loved It. And after two and a half years, I was recruited to go start a business analytics team at a smaller company near the Marine Corps. And that's when I, like, really dove into business development and building teams and managing organizations.
07:56
Carrie Aguilar
So to understand timeline when you're talking about this move, were you still in D.C. area or. Okay.
08:04
Jennifer Scheel
And then.
08:05
Carrie Aguilar
So at what point did you move to Cleveland?
08:07
Jennifer Scheel
So I was, like, mid. Midway through my first small business, helping them stand up this business analytics. So about 2013, I moved. And I remember the day I, you know, had told my husband at the time, okay, going in, like, I'm gonna basically gonna quit. And I'm like, so we're gonna move back to Cleveland, Ohio. And my. Of course my boss will get to this. But he was just kind of like, why? And then the. And then it's amazing. Because it's amazing. And we will talk about that. But. And then he said, okay, so what do you need? Do you need, like, an air card? Remember air cards?
08:38
Carrie Aguilar
Yeah.
08:38
Jennifer Scheel
Do you need, like, an air card? Like, are your hours gonna stay the same? And I was like, I'm sorry, what? Like, are you saying I can stay here? Is like, yeah, of course. Do you want to leave? And I was like, no. And he was like, great. You know, we'll talk about, like, how we'll get you out here, and we'll talk about your air card. And it was like, 35 seconds, and I was texting my, like, my husband at the time, well, I don't have to look for a job. This is amazing.
08:59
Mara Kamat
So what year was this again?
09:01
Jennifer Scheel
This was 2013. We moved back, and then I started, like, basic. Not quite then was I commuting, but I was going quite often back to D.C. and then in 2015, I think 2015 is when I moved over to another small business, and that's where I really took over the aerospace for them. And the. And what I did to get that was basically, they wanted me to help build their business analytics, but they also wanted some of the relationships I had built with the Army. So I brought that work with me and built this other team. And that's when I really started, like, more commuting. Right. Like, I was going a lot more. I had a bigger team, and were going hard and fast.
09:40
Mara Kamat
Any kids at this point?
09:41
Jennifer Scheel
2014. So my kids are not those, like, great daycare kids that go to anybody. I was always home, you know, especially, well, 2020, of course, were all home, but 20 and 2016, I had my kids. And so I was really. They didn't really require me to travel too much until 2017. And that's really when I was commuting a lot. But by then they were like, you know, doing pretty well. We had a nanny. I was really grateful for that. That's awesome.
10:06
Mara Kamat
And you got sort of those early years home, being around, being able to.
10:11
Jennifer Scheel
Be there for them, being on calls and nursing.
10:13
Mara Kamat
I mean, it's really nice, though, that you were working remotely and flexibly in 2013 when that was unheard of. Basically, it gave you time to kind of raise kids and get them to a place where come 2017, you felt more comfortable being able to flex and both work and mom and set up a support system that made sense for your family.
10:35
Jennifer Scheel
100%. You nailed it. That's exactly what it was like. I felt so lucky then. And looking back, I feel so lucky that I got to spend that time with them.
10:43
Carrie Aguilar
My daughter went to daycare at three months.
10:45
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah. Which is also great. She's probably way cooler than my kids who are like, mom.
10:50
Carrie Aguilar
She's mom. She's like, what's your name again?
10:52
Jennifer Scheel
I'm just kidding. I've seen her with you.
10:56
Mara Kamat
You know, it's funny, though, because I had my first kid, went to daycare, and she was a daycare kid, and she is, like, very outgoing and sociable. And the second kid was a nanny, stayed home with a nanny. And I think her general nature tends to be a bit more introverted, but she's also doesn't, like, love being among people. So it is interesting to think about, like, how do those formative experiences impact who they are today? And it's still early on. Okay, so the average woman goes through a career change at 39 years old. We have a lot of women who are in the process of making a shift, whether it's from corporate to consulting or changing their industry or roles completely. What would be one piece of advice that you have for someone who is feeling that tug for something different?
11:45
Jennifer Scheel
Just do it. There's so much power in just action and trying, but be clear about why you're doing it. So when I started to sort of expand what I was looking for, I put a post it note on my mirror so that I would have a touchstone every morning that just said, I'm doing something for my community. That's what it's all just communities. All I had up there because that's what I wanted my work to be about.
12:10
Carrie Aguilar
So. And then there's another question that I want to ask that's obviously your position or your work in D.C. at some point, you made a decision to do something very different. So can you kind of unpack what went into that?
12:24
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah. So I was going through a time. We were going through immense growth in the company, and I had a huge contract. It was like basically just like a career capstone. And I was getting closer to being the. Being kind of groomed for the CEO position. And I realized that first off, that it probably wasn't gonna happen, just the way the dynamics were playing out. And that was okay with me because I didn't like the way the dynamics were playing out. And also, this wasn't company. This wasn't my passion. And I was getting more and more disheartened with making one person or a few people more and more millions. Right. And it's not that like were all well paid. I'm not talking about that. It was just that's not what I want my life's work to be about. I learned so many skills.
13:08
Jennifer Scheel
I'm so glad. I feel very passionate about the work that I did do. And I just felt like this is the time for me to try something new. And I thought, well, maybe I'll just consult on my own for a while. But what really happened was I kept my work with NASA because I loved it so much, and then. And just became like an independent consultant. And then I just sort of kept looking for things that sounded interesting. And I came across that I was recruited for this executive fellowship that takes executives from the private sector and tries to re home them into the civic sector by way of their functional expertise. So they say there's a need in this city and there's that you have that expertise. Like we've paired you and mine just so happened to be Cleveland. And I was like.
13:52
Jennifer Scheel
And it was well aware of what may going on with Mayor Bibb. And I was like, well, that's an administration. I'd work for local government. And then there were a couple other people that once I did some research into, I was like, wow, they are execut. They're getting stuff done for Cleveland. And that's the kind of thing I wanted to be a part of. And so I thought I would try it out. I was just do it. And it's all about community. And then now I'm still. It's two years later and I'm still in this civic sector.
14:15
Carrie Aguilar
So just because I'm curious, what was that pro. I mean, so you were consulting. So you were you working full time, Part time, Like what?
14:23
Jennifer Scheel
I was working part time. Carrie. And don't. Menmar. I was like. So I took a summer off, and I sat on the porch and read my book and rode my bike and walked my kids and my dog, and I was like. Like, I was getting dressed by bluebirds, you know, like, just. It was amazing.
14:40
Mara Kamat
I did that, too. And it was beautiful. It's beautiful. And I think if you have the luxury of being able to do that or figuring it out, there are just times in your life where you need to hit the pause button.
14:51
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah. And I felt. And then August hit. The girls went back to school, and my skin was itching to do. I was like, I have never taken a break like that. I've always quit on a Friday, started on a Monday. So I felt like that was, like, all of my rest up in one. And then I was like, I actually can't sit still now. Like, I was starting to run really long distances, just, you know, just to feel something. And so. Yeah. So this was, like, the perfect way for me to. Well, it wasn't the perfect way, but this was an exciting new challenge. And I felt like in my industry, it's not that I had no new challenges. They just felt the same.
15:25
Carrie Aguilar
Yeah.
15:25
Jennifer Scheel
You know, they were challenging, but this.
15:27
Carrie Aguilar
Was different versions of the same thing.
15:28
Jennifer Scheel
Yes. And I was gonna learn something that I was really passionate about learning.
15:33
Mara Kamat
How was your life going in parallel to all of this change? Like your personal life, your kids, your family? How was that?
15:40
Jennifer Scheel
I was. That's a really great question. So my husband and I, we divorced in 2019. Nope. 2021. Sorry. And it's hard to keep track. So we had separated in 2019, and then tried to make it work. 2021, we decided, you know, that it was it. And so those were periods of time. First of all, the most heartbreak I've ever felt in my entire life. Like, it will bring whether or not you want it. You can be the person that asked for it. It doesn't make it any easier. Like, you have a history with that person. You love them for a reason. You have children. You're breaking off from that. You know, like, the sacrifice. Staying together is hard, and so is sitting apart. You know what I mean? Like, it's just hard. Relationships can be hard. They can be easy, too.
16:22
Jennifer Scheel
And ours wasn't easy anymore. And so we have an amazing relationship now. But it. Talk about fake it until you make it. We had to be like, we will sit next to each other at the basketball games and smile and, like, cordially, you know, and now we're just like, totally. Totally. It's totally natural. So that was really hard to be working at the same time, like, really growing, like, a company and having this, like, breakdown. And I don't know that I always handled it well, you know, but I have an incredible support network with friends and my family. And you guys know, like, you try to do the best you can for your kids in that moment.
17:00
Mara Kamat
Right.
17:01
Jennifer Scheel
I took a lot of walks while he was still living with us that just, like, to calm myself down so I could come back and be like, everything's fine. You know what I mean? And not hiding, necessarily, but, like, making sure that I wasn't adding to any stripes so that I learned an incredible amount of, like, emotional control. Then.
17:19
Carrie Aguilar
Wow.
17:19
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah.
17:20
Mara Kamat
Something I continue to work on. I mean, we're all human, right? We were in therapy yesterday, and she was like, you can choose door A, which is, like, having that impulsive anger response, or you can choose door B. And door B is all about, like, how you want to show up. Making that decision, recognizing you might not fix this problem in that moment, and that's okay. And making a choice to not engage. And I was like, yeah, you're like,
17:50
Carrie Aguilar
I should want Dory.
17:51
Mara Kamat
And I was.
17:53
Jennifer Scheel
Because they made it. Really?
17:54
Carrie Aguilar
Yeah.
17:54
Mara Kamat
I was doing it in the context of parenting, honestly. And I was like, so this morning, I was like, I'm gonna choose Dorby. Like, when I was having challenges with my daughter, I was like, dorby. So, yeah, I see you. I get that. We're all human.
18:08
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah. And to your point, like, it's a constant challenge, and I definitely don't get it. Right. But I just learned more about that. I could do it. It was possible for me. I didn't have to have that, like, immediate release. So I should probably go back to that. We'll relearn some of those skills.
18:23
Carrie Aguilar
I have that doorbee.
18:25
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah.
18:26
Carrie Aguilar
Spend a lot of time talking about Cleveland here on the podcast. We have so many incredible women who are supporting its growth, building businesses, educating our children, and supporting our foundations. Can you tell us a little bit about what your mission is for the city of Cleveland?
18:40
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah, my mission for the city of Cleveland is to get jobs to our residents. We have been. And I mean, like, the res. You know, the legacy residents. We want to bring more business in general and elevate the businesses that are already here. And that's what I think is the mo. One of the most important things to me besides the. And to the mayor is, you know, besides getting the jobs to the residents that might be Underemployed right now or unemployed entirely and don't want to be. But. And finding the skill sets and the good jobs that mean like a good environment for them. We're not talking about just any job, you know, but also just like elevating those startups, those small businesses. It's creating the ecosystem and supporting it so that talent stays, the businesses stay.
19:26
Jennifer Scheel
We grow our own here, you know, and I. The work you do with the startup network and getting the funding that they need, you know, that's part of what we're doing too. I'm not just going out and recruiting anybody and trying to attract anybody. I'm looking for top employers that have a history of, you know, second chance H or you know, great wages, of course, good benefits. And the benefits could be something that are not typical. Right. Just like daycare on. On site daycare, like that being really important. And so I've been. I am one piece in the puzzle of getting those things together. But you know, when were on some travel lately recently, we pitched a variety of VCs to come look at our companies and bring your companies here.
20:06
Jennifer Scheel
We want your companies to come manufacture their products in Cleveland and be elevated here because we actually have the business case for it.
20:14
Carrie Aguilar
Right. And we have the experience, especially on the manufacturing side.
20:17
Jennifer Scheel
Yes. And the tech, like, it's incredible.
20:20
Mara Kamat
And the support resources with Magnet and other organizations.
20:24
Jennifer Scheel
Absolutely.
20:25
Mara Kamat
With that, have you been able to attract any kind of like anchor companies or businesses yet that you could tell us a little bit about?
20:33
Jennifer Scheel
I wish I.
20:34
Carrie Aguilar
Six months in.
20:35
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah. Here's the thing. Anyone that's done any sort of work ever, you know, it's hard to start from scratch, so building the pipeline is really hard. I have one that I attracted that's considering that's very large and I have another that was attracted by some of the assets that we've got. And we're like in active attraction mode with them and with some of our partners that was more of like a reactive one where we just kind of. I got to be there for it. But the, you know, we've got some. But I know it's gonna take a long time to get the kind of momentum that we need and the pipeline, build the pipeline, but I'm not necessarily patient. But I know it's like none of us are.
21:15
Jennifer Scheel
It's coaching myself every day that like you've done it before, you're not gonna get that win this year. It's not gonna happen. But God, it would be so great. And I want It.
21:23
Mara Kamat
I'll hope for you and the city of New York. Get it done. Yes.
21:27
Jennifer Scheel
Thank you. Thank you.
21:28
Carrie Aguilar
For sure. Wait, I have a question that isn't actually anything that we. Whatever.
21:33
Jennifer Scheel
Can I have you.
21:34
Carrie Aguilar
Wait? I have a question that. That isn't anything that we scheduled here, but I'm interested because you kind of transitioned from this role in this life that was very, like, remote folk, where you were in an office in your home where you didn't spend a lot of time out with people, and now you are, like, woman about town. How are you handling just that transition? Because that's something that was a huge, like, eye opener for me when I switched Carrie.
22:04
Jennifer Scheel
I love this question. Cause I used to tell my friends, like, I think I'm getting weirder by being remote. Like, you know what I mean? I would just be socially awkward. And I think that's great about, like, when I went to the small company where I was really growing, like, the business fast and having to manage and commuting more because it was sort of ramping me up. But I have to say, like, being in Cleveland and meeting all these people, like, I'm such an extrovert. I get such a freaking high from it. And there's so many good people I like. I absolutely love it. But about one day a month, truly, I can't move and I can't talk to people, and I need the sensory. Like, I tell my friends, I just need to lie down on a wood floor with no sound.
22:47
Jennifer Scheel
And, like, in the dark. Yes, that's it. And just like, nothing.
22:52
Carrie Aguilar
I love that you say it's one day a month. For me, I think it would be like, one day every two weeks or like.
22:56
Mara Kamat
Well, it's exhausting.
22:58
Carrie Aguilar
It is, like.
22:58
Mara Kamat
It's like, lovely. But at this point in my life, I'm, like, managing children, managing this, managing that. And then you're interfacing with people all the time. And that takes a level.
23:08
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah, yeah.
23:09
Carrie Aguilar
I mean, it is fine because you're the attraction officer. You're the reason why they're there.
23:14
Jennifer Scheel
Right? Well, that's the thing. Like, you can't. You really can't be a butthead. You know, you kind of have to, like, you can't have a mood on you. And so I will say, though, you know, I am an extrovert and I love people. And so I get. And I, like, have so much fun thinking about opportunities. And I have to be really careful with my time. So I'm getting better now about protecting it so I can get real Work done. But also, I think sometimes my kids suffer, right? I'm home. And I'm like, God, I don't know, guys. I don't know where the hairbrush is, you know, And I have an attitude or I'm whining and I'm like, oh, my God. Okay, let's start resting more so that you can.
23:46
Carrie Aguilar
You know, what I do is I, like, act like that. I remind myself. And then I'm like, well, this is just me acting like you, Penelope. So if you don't like it and it works, that's a good one.
23:56
Jennifer Scheel
It's a good.
23:57
Carrie Aguilar
I'm just being you.
23:58
Mara Kamat
Yeah.
23:59
Carrie Aguilar
And then they're like, oh, God, this is bad.
24:00
Mara Kamat
And I'm like, I said to Ari this morning, I'm like, I know I'm not a version of my best self. I'm really tired. I just like being honest with them, too. Like, maybe they will be human and step up and help a little bit more or be forgiving. That's how I feel.
24:18
Carrie Aguilar
Like, please be forgiving for me. Please be forgiving.
24:21
Jennifer Scheel
Yes.
24:22
Mara Kamat
So, you know, I know you're newer to this role, but kind of looking out in the city of Cleveland, what do you see as some of the opportunities and. Or, you know, challenges that exist in the city for development?
24:37
Jennifer Scheel
I think the opportunities right now are incredible. And I could pick, like, very specific ones. Like, it could be the lakefront development. It could be site readiness fund. Now we have sites. Sites to sell before we couldn't even hit land businesses. But what I think is, like, the biggest opportunity and the excitement that I feel is that we've got so many comeback kids, you know, that are here, and also people that never left or didn't really need to, and they're. And all of them are actually doing stuff. Like, we're getting stuff done. That's amazing. And we're seeing. And we're, like, totally buying into Cleveland. And one of the things I like about it, too, is, like, when I told people in D.C. 10 years ago or 13 years ago, I'm moving to Cleveland, they'd be like, why?
25:17
Jennifer Scheel
I remember looking at my husband at the time and being like, great, then don't come great. Well, you know what I mean? We don't want everybody. We want the people that are like, yes, I totally see it. This is my place. Yeah, you get it now.
25:28
Carrie Aguilar
Yeah, yeah.
25:29
Jennifer Scheel
And then the challenges, I think, are really telling that story, you know, like, there are some businesses that are like, oh, are still surprised by Cleveland. And I'm like, there's really should be no surprise anymore. Like, Case Western is an R1 institution that graduates the best of the best. I mean, they're top 25. They're top 20 now internationally for career trajectory, you know, and it's data backed. It's just this is. There's so much history of innovation. You know, were the original Silicon Valley with all of our manufacturing, and then John D. Rockefeller, like, also integrating from manufacturing and our culture. There's a lot here. What I run out, what I need, what I want to make sure that we do, too, is with all of that momentum, we bring along everybody in Cleveland. Right.
26:14
Jennifer Scheel
Because Cleveland also has this history of segregation and redlining, and there are very core neighborhoods that we need to make sure that they are the jobs that they get. And the businesses that we attract are businesses that work for them. And I think that's the hardest part of my job. Before it was like, oh, any aerospace company, you know, great, let's make the deal and let's make the money and great. And it's. That's not what we're here for.
26:35
Carrie Aguilar
Right.
26:35
Jennifer Scheel
What kind of jobs do you have for our residents?
26:39
Carrie Aguilar
Well, let's shift gears a little bit. Something a little more fun. We talked a little bit about daughters. We all have daughters here. I know you have two. Can you just outline what age is and maybe what stage of growth? Like, what are you facing right now at home?
26:53
Jennifer Scheel
That's great. What are we all facing? So Charlotte is the oldest. She's 11. And then Lillian is 9. So we call Charlotte Charlie. And she's very much, like, first of all, way smarter than I'll ever be. And since she was a child, she has been very focused and passionate about justice. So if I say something to Lily, she'll sometimes defend Lily and point out when she, well, you let me do this. And at this. And I was. Fine. Okay, fine. You win. And there's no argument.
27:20
Carrie Aguilar
Like, it's like, data backed.
27:22
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah, it's like data backed. Exactly.
27:24
Carrie Aguilar
Just like you.
27:24
Jennifer Scheel
That's right. Exactly. And so that, you know, that presents its challenges, especially with. Now she's going in. She's like a preteen and craving independence. And that is. Guys, so painful.
27:36
Mara Kamat
Oh, yes.
27:37
Jennifer Scheel
I want to give it to her. I will give it to her. And then my heart, like, is breaking when she, like, just walks up to get a little drink hot cocoa from our neighborhood coffee shop alone. And I'm just, like, crying at home.
27:50
Mara Kamat
Yeah.
27:50
Jennifer Scheel
And then my youngest is like, this bubbly popcorn. She's this big and blonde and it's just, like, still a mama's girl, which I. But also, she's. She can be. She's someone that needs to be challenged to be more independent. Do you know what I mean? And even though she's so dynamic and such a people person, she's always, like, touching back. And so it's.
28:08
Mara Kamat
Maybe that's a second kid thing I've decided.
28:11
Jennifer Scheel
Really?
28:11
Mara Kamat
I don't know. But I see. Yeah, my youngest is like that. Like, my older daughter. Like, my younger daughter has expectations that my older daughter is gonna do things for her. Yes, totally. And I'm like, no, you are at an age where you should be doing this yourself.
28:25
Jennifer Scheel
Oh, that makes me feel so much better.
28:26
Mara Kamat
The bagel situation this morning. Ari should be able to get a bagel. Can't get a bage herself without Olivia doing it for her.
28:34
Jennifer Scheel
So true. That is. That makes me feel better because I do think that she realized she's so used to. Even as a. As a toddler, we would look at Charlie and be like, what did Lily say? Like, I was fully fluent in whatever toddler language Charlie spoke. But with Lily, I was like, wait, I don't quite. And then I just look at Charlie. She's. Oh, she wants the banana. And you're like, okay. And so it's our fault too. But.
28:55
Mara Kamat
Yeah, I mean, it's for sure our fault.
28:56
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah. Right, Right.
28:57
Carrie Aguilar
I feel like I am in the space where Penelope is, like, hurtling towards preteen, and I only have one. And I think. And it's not that I didn't cherish the time when she was younger, but yesterday I actually was wearing a jacket that I hadn't worn in years, and I put my hands in the pocket and I pulled out, and there were, like, two broken crayons and, like, a tiny hair thing. And when I tell you I, like, shed a tear, I was like, on my. I literally was, like, on my way to go see her, like, act in this thing at school. And I literally was just, like. I took a moment in the parking lot. Cause I was like, it's done. Like, we're. We're already past this. It's just. It's too much like, how.
29:41
Carrie Aguilar
And the crazy thing is I'm always like, I wonder if my mom felt like this too. That is the craziest thing. You have such an appreciation for your mother how.
29:49
Mara Kamat
Yeah, I wrote my parents this, like, Valentine's Day card, and it was at a moment when one of my daughter, my 13 year old, was driving me insane. And, like, really Pushing every boundary that.
30:02
Carrie Aguilar
Could possibly exist just by looking at you.
30:04
Mara Kamat
And it was like, dear mom and dad, thanks for putting up with me when I was a difficult teenager. I love you so much. I have such an appreciation for what you did. Thank God cell phones didn't exist when were kids. I really saved you a lot of heartbreak. I mean, it was the funniest mom. It's so much harder now and on. I did appreciate them. Kind of like point out my pain points in this moment.
30:27
Jennifer Scheel
They're slightly different than yours, but you're.
30:30
Mara Kamat
Right by so fast. I feel like just yesterday she. They were. Well, Olivia was like 4 and now she's 13. And like the 13 year old challenges, you know, I thought like 6th grade was a big transition because they moved to a new school and it was like moving classes. But really like seventh grade, this turning 13 this year has been. And maybe it's this year. Maybe I'll say this every year, I don't know. But if I, like, reflect back, like, third grade was a moment for us. And then actually seventh grade has been this new moment of. All of the kids are getting Twitter and Instagram and social media and Snapchat, and I still won't let her have that. So those tension points that bubble in exist and pushing boundaries as they get older and more independent and sassy.
31:26
Mara Kamat
Like, you love them and you want them to have that independence balanced with, like, you still need boundaries and you need to be a good human. And I need to teach you how to be a good human without losing my mind, you know?
31:38
Carrie Aguilar
So the other day. Oh, my God, who knows if we're gonna keep this in. But the other day, Penelope, were writing letters. And I will just say, Penelope has written letters before, so just bear with me. But we're writing letters and I'm watching her. Cause it was her dad's. It was her dad's birthday last weekend. And so she was like, I'm gonna write where who it's from on the back. And she wrote Penelope on the front of the envelope. And I was like, what's happening here? And to your point, it's, what are the things that you've taught? Like, in my head, I was like, what haven't I taught her? She doesn't know that this is the front of the envelope and not the back. I am not setting her up for success.
32:21
Jennifer Scheel
So funny.
32:22
Carrie Aguilar
Like, I was like, I can't. This is what. And then in my head I'm just like, wtf? Like, how do I like. And then she's like, why are you mad at me? This is the back of the envelope. And I was like, no. I was like, honey, that's where you put the address. That's the front of the envelope. And she was like, oh, I really.
32:39
Mara Kamat
Do think that's developmental though, because dying Ari did. I like, sent a camp, right. And Ari was same age as Penelope, so fourth grade at the time. And I didn't send enough pre addressed envelopes. And so she had to figure it out on her own. And I was shocked. It got to me because she like stamped the wrong side, put the address on the wrong side.
33:01
Carrie Aguilar
You're like silently thanking all the post officers between the year in camp.
33:05
Mara Kamat
It was the craziest. I was like, how did this even get here? And then I was like, I gotta make sure she knows how to do this. But it was developmental care, so she'll get there. I really think she'll get there.
33:15
Carrie Aguilar
Thank you. Appreciate that. Cause I about died.
33:17
Jennifer Scheel
I was like, those little moments, right?
33:21
Mara Kamat
You know, shifting gears for a moment. Did your girls have opinions on your career shift or focus into this new role?
33:30
Jennifer Scheel
Oh, did they? They are very strong opinionated. As were talking about before with our outfits. So they were not pleased that I was leaving the home every morning. So like looking at me wearing a suit every day or they were and not in like my workout clothes with like my hair like this, they were like, okay, this is different and new. And they didn't like the fact that like when they came home, there wasn't like a pre made snack. Like I was making the snack while were talking and unpacking and things were a little bit more hurried, quite frankly. That. And so I really wanted them to come see where I worked.
34:02
Carrie Aguilar
Yeah.
34:03
Jennifer Scheel
And man, they were unimpressed. They were like, they. For a moment. Yeah, for a while they were unimpressed. They were like, you left NASA for this? You know, And I was like I did because, you know, NASA sounds so cool at NASA. But now they. I will say that, like, they're starting to get it more. Like the more I talk about, like why I do what I do, I like, I try to have that as a touchstone. Like, it's not always easy, like these decisions and it might not make sense. You are the most important thing to me. And like you're. You growing up in a world that like I want you to grow up in is really important to me. So it's not just about our time together. It's about our time in the community. And so I think that they.
34:43
Jennifer Scheel
And I think that they're, like, now obsessed with the mayor. Like, they just.
34:46
Carrie Aguilar
Well, they, like, want him pretty easy to be obsessed with.
34:49
Jennifer Scheel
They want me to send him, like, notes and jokes, and I'm like, I'm not gonna do that. We have very little time for us to get stuff done.
34:56
Carrie Aguilar
I have to say, I sat next to him on a plane once, and I was fangirling the whole. Everyone else had said hello to him, and I was like, I'm gonna be cool. I'm gonna be cool. I'm gonna sit next to him. I'm not gonna bother him. But he was watching something that was, like, hysterical on Netflix. And I was like, this is, like, reason 120 to love Justin Bib.
35:15
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah.
35:16
Carrie Aguilar
Like, it was just so cool. I wish I. Like. And he was, like, giggling the whole time. Like, I was like. And it was like. It was hysterical. I know. I was like, oh, my God, this is amazing. And then, you know, before we got off, because went to Boston, I was like, hey. Like, I don't want to be weird, but I just want to say you're doing a great job and thank you so much. And he was like, thanks for saying something. I was like, really? Because I feel like everyone, you know, because you never know. But anyways, huge thing.
35:39
Jennifer Scheel
That's amazing.
35:40
Mara Kamat
We're all human, too. Like, you like to be recognized for the impact that you're having, even from a stranger. So I guess I think that's beautiful that you shared it with them.
35:49
Carrie Aguilar
But I was like, I'm gonna be cool. I'm not gonna say anything. And then I was like, oh, my God, I love that he's laughing out loud. This is hysterical.
35:55
Jennifer Scheel
That makes me so happy. That's so great. Well, and I think also what I think is really special about him is, like, nobody knows everything. And I think he's really humble in that regard. But also, he's done a really good job with. As we all know, hiring's really hard, right? Like. Like, it's somewhat of a gamble. I would say 85% of the people he has hired are, like, some of the most impressive people I've ever met. And he listens and challenges and has high standards, and that's the kind of person I want to work for. Like, even if I'm on the chopping block where it's. Or, like, the hot seat where it's. Wait, why did you do that? You're like, oh, shit. I don't know. Actually, like, now that you say it, like, that you know what I. But it's good. It's good.
36:32
Jennifer Scheel
He's holding to a high standard. And I think that's what's special is like to have somebody like that who cares so deeply and pushes you. You.
36:38
Carrie Aguilar
That's incredible.
36:39
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah.
36:40
Carrie Aguilar
In this new chapter, what is something that you hope your children learn from you or that you model for them?
36:48
Jennifer Scheel
I hope they can. I hope that they see that the right decision is not always the easy decision. And I hope that they see that, like it comes from immense love and there are. The time that I spend away from them isn't because I don't want to be with them, it's that it's all in service to them and their friends and my. And you guys. And you know, I feel very much like that when I see people like, I mean, just like seeing Carrie, I mean went to high school together and seeing her as like a grown woman fighting for like tech, I'm just like, we're all in it together, man. Like, we're all doing something that's important for every. It makes me feel like so proud to be like, I remember when Carrie was a baby, you know, like were all dummies together.
37:34
Jennifer Scheel
And look at us like, trying hard and still trying, still out here, still trying and still doing it. That's. I want them to have that. This is what true community is like, is working towards something together.
37:45
Mara Kamat
One of the things I think pops up with women sometimes. I'm curious to know your perspective or if you had to go through this going from a more corporate role to a civic role. There are trade offs, whether that be financial trade offs or, you know, just different environments. Can you talk to us a little bit about. About how you weighed that in your consideration?
38:07
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah, I didn't weigh it. I just decided to just jump in because the more I thought about it, the more like the balance was tipping to go to corporate. Because when I think, oh, I want more time with my kids and financial, there's so much financial freedom and all that. And like, I'm lucky enough that like, I can maintain my lifestyle because of that. But also. And yeah, I did have to make a lot of financial sacrifices, but like, I can pretty much maintain our lifestyle because of that. And it's more about. For, for me, it is that touchstone that I talked about, you know, early on was like, I had to keep that touchstone, like community. This is why you're doing it.
38:43
Jennifer Scheel
Because every day there or every week, I would say there are super highs and super lows where you're just like, why am I doing this? I'm exhausted, I'm bone tired. And I'll tell you, I went to the American Jewish Council Committee's seder, their leadership seder on Tuesday night. And I was like, there was a reverend who stood up. He has a primarily Latinx congregation and was talking about being bone tired. Midnight, having to get up at 3am to drive to the justice center because one of those, one of the women in his congregation had lost her husband had been deported with her child. And he was like, she's not going to work and getting her other kids dressed. I have to do this. And I am in no way saying that, like I am a part of that kind of sacrifice.
39:24
Jennifer Scheel
But when you are with people that are doing that kind of thing, you just jump in because it doesn't matter. It is hard and it's super humbling and frankly, we should all be humbled. You know, we're all just people and so like that. You know, when you realize that there are, it's, the challenges are right here, right now in our community. I'm okay with the, with being humbled a lot and you know, having to sit and take a call at 9pm in my, you know, because we're just trying to get through something as quickly as possible before like news hits or like you're trying to, you know, manage something. I can't even imagine what it's like to be the mayor and get a phone call that something's happened to somebody in your community.
40:03
Jennifer Scheel
So I didn't think about it, I just jumped or I did think about it, thought about it too much and then just decided to wipe it all away and jump and keep like the touchstone to the community. And I think this is where the rest don't quit comes from, is just, you just have to, you have to realize that you're a human too. So I think anyone who's in corporate, like they need that too. They're working towards things too. And we all, we live in a society that needs those jobs and there's nothing wrong with that either. You know, it's a trade off. So I just feel like we're all doing everyone's doing something for the community and this is how I'm doing it for now.
40:36
Mara Kamat
That's beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
40:38
Carrie Aguilar
Well, as we're wrapping up, we always like to end with two questions.
40:42
Jennifer Scheel
Okay.
40:43
Carrie Aguilar
The first is if you could go back to tell yourself a piece of advice, what would it be?
40:48
Jennifer Scheel
I guess just do it just, you know, truly, Nike, just do it. Just don't stop overthinking. Just go, and you're doing great. And don't fake it. Just keep studying and keep doing what you're doing, you know?
41:02
Mara Kamat
And we always like to ask this question, too. What's bringing you joy right now?
41:07
Jennifer Scheel
Like, pure. I would say two things. Two things are bringing me joy. No, Right, exactly. Nothing. I'm dead inside. There's two things that bring me real joy, and that is, like, real talk. So, like that. Like, when people. Not, like, how's the weather? But, like, how the hell are you surviving right now? What are your kids into? What's driving you nuts? Are you also kind of a bad mom? Sometimes. Like, great. Like, these are the things I want to talk about.
41:33
Carrie Aguilar
Let's have a level playing field.
41:34
Jennifer Scheel
Let's have it right. Exactly.
41:36
Carrie Aguilar
Let's talk about each other so that we can build.
41:38
Jennifer Scheel
Yes, exactly. Yeah. Yes. And so when people. Like, when people won't break that wall or won't break character, I'm like, best of luck in the near future. I can't. We can't be. We can't be anything but colleagues or whatever. Yeah. Whatever this is. That's all it'll ever be. And then the second thing is like, pure candy. Like, pop bs. Like, I was watching Bridgerton last night by myself in my pajamas, and I am having the best time of my entire life.
42:07
Mara Kamat
Oh, don't worry. I'm through the season.
42:09
Jennifer Scheel
Yeah. And I was just like. I felt like my body was throbbing with. I'm just sitting. I'm not doing anything. I don't even my phone. I'm just watching Bridgerton and being like, what's gonna happen? We all know. We all know what's gonna happen, but we're here for the ride. Yeah.
42:25
Mara Kamat
Well, Jennifer, thank you so much for joining us today. It's been such a pleasure to get to know you, to hear from you, to hear about your journey. And we're so excited to see what you'll bring to Cleveland in this new role.
42:39
Jennifer Scheel
Thanks. Wish me luck.
42:40
Carrie Aguilar
Until next time. This is In Her Land, reminding you to stay curious, stay connected, and keep building the community you want to see.
