STEP RIGHT UP TO WITNESS THIS ONE-WOMAN SENSATION. FROM BALANCING BUSINESS AND MOTHERHOOD TO TAMING LIFE’S CHALLENGES, SOME MIGHT SAY SHE’S GONE BIZIRCUS, BUT THIS LEADING LADY IS THE MASTER OF HER CIRCUS. LESLIE WILLIAMS
a way that will help families with accessibility. Getting downtown to the main campus is a huge challenge that a lot of families face. Parents have to work, appointments are limited, and when early intervention is key, timing and access to resources is crucial. This is the sort of care that made such a difference for Jagger, so Project Echo aligns with our passion for helping these families have easier access to the resources they need for their kids. It seems giving back is a household effort. I was inspired to read that giving back has also become a part of Jagger’s personal journey – and in a unique way. Oh, yes – he loves gifting and loves the idea of giving back. So, we teamed up with the Kelly O’Leary Center for Autism at Cincinnati Children’s and created JagBags. These are basically “welcome to the club” gestures from Jagger for kids who are newly diagnosed. They hold several of his favorite things – light-up toys, a book called Be U Bear , and sensory toys, like a toy that can be chewed on or a super soft Squishmellow. But JagBags also serve as welcome packets for the parents, with a few items that can be helpful. For example, noise-cancelling headphones for the child or a door alarm. These items will help parents keep their children safe. It can be scary for both the kids and the parents to hear the diagnosis, so we wanted to do something that showed support and care but also brought a little happiness. It’s just our way of giving back. Through experiencing this journey with Jagger, what preconceived notions did you have regarding ASD and how has Jagger challenged that view? I think what came to mind was always the character Rain Man – intelligent, socially awkward. I can say that, at least with Jagger, he is really smart, and he does have moments where social interactions are a challenge, but who doesn’t? If you put in the time and effort, these kids can really shine. Jagger may have challenges with kids his age, but with older children, like my 13-year-old son, he can relate really well. Because of their unique brilliance they can also have a lot to contribute to society. And, I think that’s where it all changed for me; it’s not Rain Man who dictates how he or other children will be. It’s really the sky’s the limit for these kids. Looking back on receiving the diagnosis, what is one piece of advice you wish you had as parents just beginning this journey with your child? That it’s not a death sentence. It’s not bad – at all. It can be a really amazing experience to help your kids grow into themselves and discover who they are as people. All you need is the right resources and a bit of support from a community that understands. Call EmPath for Autism. That’s why I’m here, why we are here. Sometimes, sharing your story, having an empathetic ear, is what you need most, and that’s okay. We all have bad days. Autism doesn’t just go away. But if you can learn to roll with the punches and are educated on how to help, it just makes everything a lot easier to deal with on a daily basis.
You can’t be in a jewelry store without thinking about gems. What would you say is Cincinnati’s gem, a must-do for someone visiting the city? Sotto is by far my favorite restaurant in Cincinnati. I absolutely love it. And we can’t forget about a Bengals game. The sports scene here is incredible. You’re a mom of three boys, at some point they may need some dating advice. For your oldest, what would you recommend as a fantastic date night, Cincinnati-style? Well, for him, he loves watching sunsets. I’d recommend he take a date to Devou Park or somewhere with a great sunset view, then walking down by the river. He’s a huge romantic, so I’d recommend getting her a bouquet of roses. If she’s really special, maybe stop down to see my friends at Richter & Phillips to get her a diamond. ( Why not? !) Having three boys will definitely keep you busy. With such an on-the-go life, how has this influenced your style? Having three boys has made me fall a little more into their style. I went from being dressed up to business casual to now being more casual. I live in athleisure simply because my schedule is so hectic, but I make sure that I have something nice on hand or in the back of the car to throw on when necessary. What are your day-to-day basics that keep you going? Definitely a good sneaker, a solid hat, and always, always a nice watch. I have to keep up with the time; I might as well make it something I love to wear. Especially with a casual base, having a solid watch will always evolve the overall outfit. You’re involved in a lot through the community, how do you find the time and motivation to stay active? Well, it’s just really important. We have an organization, EmPath for Autism, which started from a desire to give back to Cincinnati Children’s. My youngest son, Jagger, was diagnosed with ASD in 2021. He was struggling with understanding and associating with other kids. It was tough, but with the help of CCH, he was able to graduate from the therapy. We are super proud of him and just wanted to throw a party to celebrate. We thought, why not use it as an opportunity to raise awareness of autism and the therapies out there that made a difference for Jagger in hopes that other families can find the same success with their kids? So, last fall, we hosted that party – Circus Bizircus. Your foundation is still relatively new, but what efforts are you striving for in your second year? It’s interesting. That little party ended up turning into this foundation, and then this foundation turned into a great first year. That led us to have the party a second year to ensure that the CCH effort, Project Echo, can reach its fully funded goals. Can you share a little about this initiative? Project Echo is a program from the Kelly O’Leary Center for Autism within CCH. This program aims to train 12 primary care providers in the outlying areas of Cincinnati on how to diagnose and treat autism within their care practices. These practices are selected in
FEATURED ON LESLIE’S WRIST, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LONGINES
19 RICHTER & PHILLIPS JEWELERS MAGAZINE
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