Barbara Turner of Ohio National Financial Services Among Linkage’s 2019 Women in Leadership Executive Impact Award Recipients

Linkage presents the Women in Leadership Executive Impact Award annually to three executives who have demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of women leaders and consistently go above and beyond to make a difference.

Earlier this month, we announced the first recipient of the Women in Leadership Executive Impact Award, Corinne Mescher of MGA Entertainment, who brings her commitment to the advancement of women leaders to life through her team and her work to develop products which empower young girls through STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math).

This week, we are thrilled to announce the second winner of the Women in Leadership Executive Impact Award; Barbara Turner, President and Chief Operating Officer of Ohio National Financial Services.

Recipients of the award are innovators and change-makers who are committed to developing and implementing new approaches to achieving gender parity within their organizations, and beyond. They work to advance and support women leaders at all levels in meaningful ways. And, their personal stories are inspirational case studies of what it takes to achieve results and make an impact.

This year’s recipients were selected from hundreds of nominations and represent the best of the best in personal and professional commitment to the advancement of women leaders and excellence in leadership.

The recipients will be presented with their award at Linkage’s 20th Annual Women in Leadership Institute^™ (WIL) in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11-14, 2019. They will also participate in a panel hosted by Wall Street Legend and author Carla Harris, during which they will share insights with 900+ women leaders representing every industry.

Check back soon for the third and final winner of the Women in Leadership Executive Impact Award.

2019 Women in Leadership Executive Impact Award Recipient

Barbara Turner, President and Chief Operating Officer of Ohio National Financial Services

As a financial services industry veteran with more than 39 years of experience, Barbara Turner has a track record of excellence. She’s also a trailblazer in every sense of the word. She is the eleventh president of Ohio National Financial Services–the first woman and person of color to hold the position since its founding in 1909.

She’s called a “champion of women leaders” by her peers, and her commitment to the advancement of women leaders is clear in her actions.

“Barbara lifts as she climbs,” said her nominator for Linkage’s Women in Leadership Executive Impact Award. “She works tirelessly inside and outside the organization to advance women leaders and their networks.“

Barbara has identified the need for leadership development opportunities designed specifically for women, and has worked to bring these initiatives to life in ways that continue to positively impact the lives of women at her organization.

In 2016, she launched the Ohio National Women’s Network (OWN), an associate group which has given women a forum to network and share experiences, form professional networks and friendships, and work externally to contribute to the greater community. She has also identified a cohort of high-performing women leaders to attend Linkage’s Women in Leadership Institute. In the time after the Institute, Barbara goes above and beyond to provide women with opportunities to stay connected, including continued coaching and regular meetings for continued support.

For Barbara, being a trailblazing leader means moving beyond words and truly walking the walk. She has formerly mentored or sponsored more than 70 female employees since forming OWN in 2016. “Barbara is an inspiration to all associates at Ohio National, especially the women,” said her nominator. “She takes a vested interest in us personally, and is a wonderful coach and mentor”.

Barbara’s active involvement in lifting the women around her extends far beyond her organization. She was recently awarded Ohio National’s prestigious 2018 Paul E. Martin Community Service award in recognition of her exceptional generosity and community service.

Barbara focuses much of her community service efforts on helping single mothers, children and those facing struggles to thrive, as demonstrated with her involvement with 4C for Children and the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation. She is known for her passion for mentoring at-risk teenage girls and single moms. She strives to help women and children find ways to achieve self-sufficiency and financial independence. 

Barbara sits on the boards for Advocates for Youth Education, American Red Cross Greater Cincinnati-Dayton Region, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati State Technical & Community College, Cincinnati Women’s Executive Forum, LL Global, Inc., United Way of Greater Cincinnati, and the Women’s Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

She also served as the 2019 Campaign Chair for American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Great Rivers Affiliate/Go Red for Women campaign, which is working to raise over one million dollars to further education and advocacy for women’s heart health.

Above all, Barbara’s example is a source of inspiration for those around her, serving as a call to action for others. “Barbara is an inspiration to so many women at Ohio National and in our community,” said her nominator. The women impacted by Barbara’s leadership “are igniting change internally, supporting each other, and mentoring other women”, said her nominator. Barbara’s leadership has a multiplying impact that will continue to benefit women for years to come.