Hometown: Arlington;
Present City: Dallas;
Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Baylor University; MBA, The University of Chicago;
Profession: Founder and creative director, SLANT Partners;
Tell us about your family.
I have been married to David Cole for 20 years and we have four boys: Crosby, 11, Wilson, 8, Elton, 6, and Elijah, 6. We both grew up in Arlington, and our parents still live there.
How about your work or volunteer life?
I founded SLANT, a full-service marketing firm, 11 years ago, and we have grown to have two offices — Dallas and San Diego — and work for clients across the U.S. and internationally.
Favorite hobbies?
I love to read and am trying to hit 52 books this year. My oldest son, Crosby, convinced me that the Harry Potter series should be seven of those. If I didn’t also enjoy watching youth sports, I’d be in big trouble, as we spend a good bit of time at soccer, football, swim, tennis and golf!
What are your favorite places to travel?
San Diego (North County), Chicago (in the summer), Italy and skiing anywhere there is snow!
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
In 2001, we tried Wilshire once as a young couple after I met Preston Bright while waiting on him at Outback Steakhouse. We ended up at a different church and then moving away to Chicago and Cincinnati for several years, but, upon moving back in 2013, Katy Link encouraged us to try Wilshire again. Everything clicked for us at that life stage and we joined the following week.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
Labyrinth Sunday School Class.
What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
For me, Wilshire has taken “church” from a noun to a verb. It is no longer just a place we go to. The people of Wilshire have given us a community for our whole family, and that community has showed up for us time and time again through the good and the bad.
What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
We have had a tough 12 months where I was relying heavily on the patience and the peace that God provides and working hard to let go my own control of various situations. I have only recently realized that it is possible to find joy and experience purpose in the midst of sadness or chaos. But it takes intention. God continues to be patient with me as I have to learn and relearn the same lessons, but it is this patience that helps me feel loved by God.
*If you are interested in being featured in an upcoming I Am Wilshire feature, contact Carolyn Murray (cmurray@wilshirebc.org)