What a win it was for Cleveland when the Schroth family after a couple days with EA decided to relocate from Toronto. Fast forward to another big win, Nadia is now part of our team! Nothing helps prospective newcomers feel more at ease and heard than spending focused time with someone who’s been in their shoes. Enjoy Nadia’s story.
Q: Could you share about where you grew up, went to school, and the cities you’ve lived in prior to moving to Cleveland?
I grew up in Bristol, TN, which is on the northeast corner of the state. I attended Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC for both college and law school. My husband and I lived in Winston-Salem and Charlotte, NC. Our older daughter was born in Charlotte. In 2007, the three of us moved to San Francisco, CA for a year after which we returned to Charlotte and added another daughter to our family. In 2010, we moved to Toronto, ON. We lived in Toronto until 2017 when we moved to Shaker Heights.
Q: When you heard that the job was in Cleveland what were the first words that popped into your mind? Could you share your initial thoughts on being offered EA services and how it impacted your decision to move, choice of neighborhood and school for your girls.
When I heard the job was in Cleveland, I thought, “Why would I move to Cleveland?” When we were offered EA’s services, I was hesitant because I did not think we were going to actually move to Cleveland. But, after I spoke with EA pre-trip, I was intrigued. When we arrived in the city, I was very skeptical, but the EA Day completely changed my mind. While we researched schools online, EA set up tours for us and provided us with transportation, we were also able get to know different suburbs and ask questions about life in the area. I also remember feeling like VIPs with a backstage tour at Playhouse Square. The Playhouse Square experience also made us see how accessible the cultural and entertainment offerings are as compared to those in Toronto. When we got on the airplane to return to Toronto, I thought, “Why wouldn’t we move to Cleveland.” I genuinely don’t believe I would have understood all that the city had to offer if we had not had an EA Day.
Q: And now you are a Project Manager with EA! How did this come about, the favorite parts of your job, and what unique perspectives do you bring as a new to Clevelander yourself?
After we had settled in, I was asked to be a lunch guest for an EA Day. I was excited to return the favor that our EA lunch guests had given us and served as a lunch guest a couple of times. Several years later, I got an email from EA sharing that they were hiring Project Managers. I was interested in finding out more about the company, so I went to an information session and the rest is history!
I love working with people who have never been to Cleveland. It is fun to be able to give other people the same transformative experience we had. I think I have a unique perspective because I have moved many times myself and can compare living here with living in other cities. I also share I was not initially excited about the prospect of Cleveland in the hopes that people will feel they can be honest with us about their thoughts about the potential move.
Q: How did you acclimate to Cleveland, pick up any rec sports, and plug yourself in to develop a new social network?
From having moved before, I knew that to meet people and make friends I had to put myself out there and jump into the community. I started by volunteering at my daughters’ school (Hathaway Brown) and a few years later ended up being co-president of the Parents Association. I joined a volunteer organization, the Sunbeam Board, which supports Vocational Guidance Services. Since moving here, I have also learned to play both paddle tennis and pickleball and have met so many people through those sports. I’m also an avid high school girls’ field hockey and lacrosse spectator!
Q: What city attributes do you most enjoy and what do you regularly take advantage of?
I love that Cleveland has just about anything you are looking for and it is easy to access. I visit the Cleveland Museum of Art often and love attending presentations and lectures here. I am a subscriber to the Skirball Writers Center Stage Series through the Cuyahoga County Public Library and CWRU. There are so many cool things that I have done here, from going to pro sports events to seeing the opera at Severance Music Center. I love walking our dog around the neighborhood because the homes and gardens are so beautiful and we’ll probably run into someone we know.
Q: What shouldn’t be missed in Cleveland?
University Circle, it has it all, amazing architecture, a beautiful lagoon, and world-class museums
Q: Any last words of advice for those parents moving with young children?
Ask for help! One of Cleveland’s best features is the people – from EA and beyond, people want you to be happy here and will help connect you to the resources you and your family need.
After nearly 45 years of helping CLE/AKN orgs and companies land first-choice candidates and onboard newly hired or transferring execs we welcome an inquiry to share how we can partner with you. We often hear from candidates and families that they’ve never been recruited by a company who took such an interest in them personally by engaging EA. A relocation is often most exciting for a candidate/new hire/transferee and less exciting, and frankly anxiety producing, for the family, which is where EA focuses. Each member is important and if they are connected it will assure retention. Together we can get it right up front!