2013 Forty Under 40: Elizabeth Childers

“I really want to get more engaged in the legislative process,” and possibly run for office, she said, adding she wants to learn more about what’s involved and “what makes sense for me.”

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Age: 35

Ohio, Kentucky,  and Indiana Marketing Leader, Senior Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Strengthening relationships is key to Elizabeth Childers’ success. A marketing leader for PricewaterhouseCoopers, one of the “big four” accounting firms, Childers nurtures the company’s ties to its communities, clients and alumni in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio with frequent travel among four offices in the three states.

“I make sure we’re connected in the right places as far as community involvement,” said Childers, who lives in Carmel with her husband, Grant, and their twin daughters. “We have a huge amount of people who come to work at PWC straight out of college,” who, when they leave, are considered alumni. “We just like to stay connected to our alumni.”

Of the 150 professionals in her Indianapolis office, she estimates 30 percent to 40 percent are under 30. This is one reason she is on the board of IndyHub, an organization charged with retaining and engaging bright young professionals in Indianapolis.

“IndyHub partners with our large corporations to teach and retain our smart young professionals.” The organization’s annual event, Get INDYvolved, brings together major not-for-profit organizations with professionals looking to get connected in their community.

A native of Evansville, Childers attended the University of Southern Indiana on soccer and academic scholarships. She has an identical twin sister, Norma, who lives in Cincinnati and owns a knitting store.

“Once you get to know us it’s easy to tell us apart,” said Childers.

She also serves on the board of Carmel-based Chaucie’s Place, a not-for-profit that works with young victims of sexual abuse and operates programs to prevent and recognize the signs of child abuse.

The challenges of work, travel and parenting require a lot of juggling, including returning calls after her children are asleep. She blocks out the time between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. for family.

“Every day is different, every day is a challenge,” she said.•