Member Spotlight - Edina White

by Marisa Hegyesi, Peachtree Contributing Editor

Originally from the great State of Ohio, Edina was born in Cleveland.  She obtained her Bachelor's degree in Finance and Quantitative Analysis from the University of Mount Union.

Edina put her quantitative analysis skills to work at an early age mucking horse stalls in order to earn riding lessons (smart financial decision).   Now in her early 50’s, she is a Consultant at Huron Consulting Group (ERP / EPM Implementations).   Edina loves her consulting job, because she can help her clients with complex problems, solving the issues with technology (Oracle).  So, it should not surprise you that she likes to read sales and management books to improve her management style for career growth and learning.

Married with 1 step-son, and 1.5 grandchildren (the .5 is on the way), she maintains a good work/home balance by working from home, which according to her “helps out a ton.”   Edina and her husband, Brian, both enjoy Italian food.  Her favorite place to vacation is anywhere, as long as it is with Brian.  “Downshifting and stepping away from the everyday stresses of life” is important to Edina.  Her “family makes life worth living.”

Depending on what she is doing, Edina likes to listen to Rock when car racing and country otherwise.   And speaking of automobiles, her first Mercedes was an ML350, then her GLE63s.  If she could own any Mercedes, her response was “I already own it!  Don’t want anything else.”  (Ahh!  A woman that knows what she wants).

Edina participates in several MBA Peachtree Cars & Coffee, Autocross, rallies and the occasional mountain drive.  But, her primary hobby is K9 Search & Rescue (SAR).  She is Secretary of a team, Central Georgia K9 SAR, Inc., based in Madison, GA.  The team helps local law enforcement locate missing people.

She owns and handles two K9s, Zeke (cadaver dog) and Karma (urban tracking dog).  Edina trains with the team every Saturday.  She and the pups are on call 24/7/365.  The volunteer community work is rewarding for her, because it supports her community and helps to bring families together.

Actually, Edina owns 4 German Shepherds.  She stated that she continually learns more on how to read her dogs in searches considering they are non-verbal (all body language).  The dogs make her laugh.  Sometimes, “they are the best entertainment anyone can ask for.”

As far as plans for retirement, that is yet to be determined.  A few ideas include training a dog for the FBI missing persons unit; possibly purchasing a Class A RV to travel with the dogs, and cruising the Artic (on bucket list).  “Life is short and I want to have memories to look back on, with no regrets.”

Edina wants to be remembered for impacting someone's life, whether helping to find closure for a missing family member or teaching someone something that would help them advance their career or aspirations.

In closing, Edina stated “I am blessed in many ways and thank God for what I have in my life.”