In honor of International Women’s Day, we’re featuring six of the women at Stoke who help make our organization what it is—and what makes them who they are. They’re world travelers and food enthusiasts and softball team players (and so much more). Read on to see how they’re thinking about International Women’s Day this month (and most other times too).
Sarah Ekins (she / her)
Senior Director of Services
Give us your personal elevator pitch.
I am a mother to five beautiful daughters and have three amazing grandchildren. I’ve worked in the marketing field on and off through my career, as well as started and sold two companies. All of this while trying to be a focused and involved mother and wife—and it is hard work! But I love my career and my family, and we make it work!
How did you arrive at your current role?
I have a background in the marketing industry, and one of my top skills is organization. I found myself to be a good fit for a project management role, and love that I get to organize and streamline for a living (not only at home, but for my job!).
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
I’m an official member of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. I was born in Minnesota and I’m a twin…and the team signed a welcome card for us when we were born—so I think that makes me a member!
How is International Women’s Day significant for you?
Having a career and family is no joke—and women all over the world do it, and do it well! Women have had to fight for their place in the workforce, and it hasn’t always been an easy battle. Women are strong, resilient, and hard workers.
You can invite one woman, alive or dead, to join you for dinner. Who are you inviting?
My grandma. I was too young to know her before she passed away.
You become a world leader for one year. What do you do with your power and influence
Kindness. I know it’s a simple answer, but I think that it spreads and changes the world.
Ashley Taylor Anderson (she / her)
Senior Director of Content Strategy
Give us your personal elevator pitch.
By day I’m a storyteller and marketing strategist who asks “why” a lot. By night I’m a weirdo who likes to dress up in historical costumes and escape into fictional realms.
How did you arrive at your current role?
I started my career in scientific publishing, which served as an amazing crash course in editorial development, media production, product marketing, and technical writing. Disillusioned with the slow-evolving nature of ed tech in the 2010s, I hopped the fence into B2B tech marketing and discovered the wide world of content strategy and brand storytelling.
We talk a lot about inclusivity in the workplace, but actually making a difference takes work. Is there a particular aspect of workplace culture you’re trying to amplify as a means of supporting women? How so?
Giving women credit for the great ideas they bring to the table. It’s so easy to let attribution slip through the cracks when you’re busy and trying to get through the work day, but taking time to amplify and acknowledge the work of women colleagues is something that matters to me deeply.
You can invite one woman, alive or dead, to join you for dinner. Who are you inviting?
Elizabeth Keckley. She was a Black American seamstress who made outfits for Mary Todd Lincoln, among other high-end clients, in the mid-1800s. She was also a social activist, entrepreneur, and all-around badass.
Silver Tran (she / her)
Project Manager
Give us your personal elevator pitch.
I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, and am an experienced project manager with a demonstrated history in finance, tech, and digital marketing. Outside of work, I am a huge foodie and always ready to try out different restaurants. In my free time, I enjoy working on motorcycles, watching F1, and collecting different certifications! I’m a very organized person in work and out of work. I have a passion for project management and look forward to growing my career.
How did you arrive at your current role?
I started as a bartender, and from that I learned that I have a deep passion and love for people and learning about what they do. That helped me transition into project management where I could help support the work that team members do, all the while learning so many different skills from my counterparts.
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
I come from a very diverse family being both Black and Vietnamese. I have so many family and community ties that have taught me many amazing things that I have been able to bring into my career skills and, more importantly, to continue with my family including my beautiful wife and extended family.
How is International Women’s Day significant for you?
It highlights the known but unseen—that women are just as intelligent, capable, and enduring as their male counterparts.
You can invite one woman, alive or dead, to join you for dinner. Who are you inviting?
Definitely Michelle Obama.
Hannah Davidson (she / her)
Creative Director
Give us your personal elevator pitch.
I’m a creative director with an eye for thoughtful, strategic design. I lead projects that help brands stand out. When I’m not designing you can find me in my studio painting or practicing yoga.
How did you arrive at your current role?
I was one of those lucky kids who knew what they wanted to be when they grew up. I landed at a small design college in Southern California where I earned my bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in design and digital media. I later was invited to create my own class as an instructor at that same school.
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
I’ve experienced a lot of loss and suffering in my life. Those difficult situations have offered me a unique view of the world and a chance to approach life differently. Every obstacle or situation is a chance to adapt and thrive. Tapping into this power and realizing our innate abilities is something I focus on as a yoga instructor, but also as a friend, partner, and human sharing this collective experience.
We talk a lot about inclusivity in the workplace, but actually making a difference takes work. Is there a particular aspect of workplace culture you’re trying to amplify as a means of supporting women? How so?
I think we’ve created two different sets of expectations for men and women. Some say women are better at organization or multitasking so they are expected to do those tasks, while their male counterparts may not have the same expectations set simply because it is not a trait that men have been held accountable for. I believe we are all capable and that we have to reset our gender role expectations in the workplace.
You become a world leader for one year. What do you do with your power and influence?
More female leaders to follow in my place. Bring on the sisterhood.
Enid Arbelo Bryant (she / her)
Director of Marketing & Media Services
Give us your personal elevator pitch.
Mother, wife, child of God, and lover of life. Moved by good stories and the ocean. Curiosity and a drive to grow and evolve are my guiding principles.
How did you arrive at your current role?
My career started in print journalism. I used to write for newspapers covering a beat. Feels like forever ago. I’ve worked as an editor, in public relations, taught media and communications to college students, and now I’m here at Stoke working in marketing and media services.
Tell us something surprising about yourself.
Early in my career I took a few years off for graduate studies in London, England. It was hard because I was so far away from my family and loved ones. But between Chunnel rides to Paris and tours of vineyards in Italy, I got a master’s degree and a whole lot of self-reflection.
How is International Women’s Day significant for you?
It’s a day that brings attention to challenges many women face every day. So while one day is not enough, I’m thankful for the spotlight. As a woman of Puerto Rican descent, I’ve learned that race does impact the way people view you. And that’s okay. As long as we all can take a moment to check our bias and see beyond the tropes. I want people to see my brown skin, I want people to hear my native tongue, and I want people to think about where I came from. Because only then can we stop, reflect, and learn. I come from a long line of strong Latina women, and they taught me that our culture enriches us and empowers us. They taught me that tough times make strong women, and hearing the word “no” doesn’t mean it’s over. These women have helped pave the way for me and my daughter. Today, and every day, I celebrate them.
You become a world leader for one year. What do you do with your power and influence?
My focus would be on early childhood and K-12 education.
Layne Arnold (she / her)
Program Manager, Business Development
Give us your personal elevator pitch.
I’m a proud midwesterner who also takes any chance to leave it. I thrive when growing outside of my comfort zone and have a menagerie of stories to back it up. Fiercely independent and conscientious, I believe the path best traveled is the one you dig yourself.
How did you arrive at your current role?
I started my career in medical software consulting. In the years since, my knack for strategy and client relationship building pulled me toward all things business development. I’ve worn every operations hat available, usually all at the same time, and am passionate about having a big impact on our team’s success.
How is International Women’s Day significant for you?
International Women’s Day is rooted in community. I believe we’re better together and recognize the special magic of women accomplishing things together.
We talk a lot about inclusivity in the workplace, but actually making a difference takes work. Is there a particular aspect of workplace culture you’re trying to amplify as a means of supporting women? How so?
I want women to stop apologizing. Words are powerful, and so are women, and we need to choose our words with intention against our defaulted social norms. (I like to offer alternative phrasing to all team members that disparage themselves, but especially women.)
You can invite one woman, alive or dead, to join you for dinner. Who are you inviting?
My grandmother, Judith.