February 22, 2012

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “behind every great man there is a great woman.” Well, that couldn’t be more true than in the case of John and Eileen Barrett. As most know, John is the President and CEO of Western & Southern Financial Group, Inc. Moreover, he has been instrumental in the economic development of Cincinnati including, most recently, the creation of the Queen City Tower. Eileen also has strong ties to the city. She attended Cincinnati Country Day School and Hillsdale, now Seven Hills. After graduating from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, she went to work in NYC and that is where she met John. They married in 1979 and have three children, Christine, Anne and Charley. Christine works as the Outreach Director for the Attorney General in Columbus, Anne is in her second year at Fordham Law School in NY and Charley is in the investment bank training program at Barclay’s Capital in NY.

On Saturday, February 25th John and Eileen will be celebrated for their work with the American Heart Association and named as this year’s “Heart of the City Awardees.” iSPYCINCY spoke with Eileen briefly to learn, among other things, what inspires her to get up in the morning and her favorite place to dine in the city.

iSPY: How does the saying “behind every great man, there is a great woman” apply in your relationship?

EILEEN: Not behind so much as supportive and independent. John and I both support The Barrett Cancer Center, first and foremost, but beyond that, the organizations we support are different. This means we go to a lot of meetings and events alone, although our best times are when we are together.

iSPY: If you had to describe John in a word, what would it be?

EILEEN: Resilient.

iSPY: If he had to describe you in a word, what would it be?

EILEEN: Energetic.

Eileen (second on the left) pictured with her brother Kevin and parents Larry and Edith Ward. Eileen received the Cincinnati Country Day School Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award (2003). 

iSPY: You are involved in numerous philanthropic causes, from where does your interest to give back stem?

EILEEN: My parents, Edith and Larry Ward, and the schools I attended, Country Day and Hillsdale were great proponents of giving back and service to others. During high school, Peggy Geier recruited a bunch of girls from Hillsdale to work as counselors at Camp Stepping Stones in the summer. Sue Radabaugh organized kids from local high schools to teach swimming to the kids at the Convalescent Hospital in the winter. Mary and Joe Stern’s daughter Peggy and I ran the Service Club at Hillsdale. Giving back was something all my friends did, and I bet they are still doing it.

iSPY: You and John are being honored at this year’s Heart Ball… what does the honor mean to you?

EILEEN: We agreed to be honored because of our high regard for Dr. Creighton Wright.

iSPY: Who and/or what inspires you to get up every morning?

EILEEN: Our dogs.

Eileen with Ride Cincinnati co-founders Allison Gordon and her father, Dr. Harvey Harris (2009)

iSPY: All things Cincinnati…
*Favorite restaurant – Embers
*Fundraiser – Ride Cincinnati (June 10, 2012)
*Place to unwind – Home
*Sports team/event – Cincinnati Reds and Opening Day. It’s still a thrill!

iSPY: What is top on your bucket list?

EILEEN: I’d love to spend a couple of weeks on a safari in Africa and experience the animal migration in Kenya and Tanzania. I have some friends and family members in mind to share this with but top of the list is Thane Maynard (Director of the Cincinnati Zoo). What a great guy and wonderful leader.

iSPY: Motto to live by?

EILEEN: My motto is “do the right thing.” When you have a tough situation it helps you navigate. It’s hardly original but something most people should do.

*For more information on the Red Hot Heart Ball at the Duke Energy and Convention Center this Saturday please click HERE.

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