Celebrating leadership, connection, and the next chapter of a remarkable life.
One of my favorite things about being a personal branding photographer in Cincinnati is getting to meet people whose paths I might never otherwise cross.
Dr. Charla Weiss is one of those people.
Thanks to a thoughtful referral from Anyah Land, I recently had the pleasure of welcoming Charla into my studio for a professional portrait session. I’m so grateful Anyah thought to connect us, because Charla was absolutely full of grace.
She had a warmth and quiet confidence about her that made our time together feel like more than a photography appointment. And as I learned more about her story, I began to appreciate just how much experience, purpose, and curiosity she brings to this chapter of her life.
Meet Dr. Charla Weiss
Charla currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, an organization that has been part of Cincinnati’s cultural life for more than a century.
Before retiring in January 2024, she spent more than a decade at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, ultimately serving as Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. Her work has taken her through nonprofit leadership, education, consulting, community development, and initiatives focused on health equity.
But what makes Charla especially interesting to me is how much of her life has unfolded beyond any single professional role. She and her husband, Scott, have lived in different parts of the world, including Australia, China, and Hong Kong. Those experiences gave her opportunities to build relationships across cultures and develop a broader understanding of people and communities.
And then there’s the music…
A Lifelong Love of Music Comes Full Circle
One of the things I enjoyed learning about Charla was that music has been part of her life since she was young. She played piano, received a scholarship to attend Interlochen National Music Camp, and studied music in college before eventually pursuing a career in other fields.
I found that fascinating. Today, as Chair of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra board, she’s helping guide an organization dedicated to something that has mattered to her for much of her life.
I love that connection between her past and present. Sometimes the interests that shaped us early in life return in unexpected ways. And when they do, we get to bring all the experience we’ve gathered along the way.
For Charla, her work with the Symphony brings together her love of music, decades of leadership experience, and a commitment to community.
Retirement Doesn’t Have to Mean Slowing Down
Another thing that stood out to me about Charla is how intentionally she approached retirement. She didn’t simply reach the end of a career and wonder what to do next. She spent time thinking about what she wanted this stage of life to look like, the relationships she wanted to nurture, and the opportunities she wanted to pursue.
In June 2026, Charla appeared on The ReDirect Podcast in an episode titled Intentionality with Dr. Charla Weiss. During the conversation, she reflected on the importance of purpose, connection, and curiosity in life after a professional career.
I think there’s something valuable in that perspective. We’re often encouraged to think about retirement as the finish line. But for someone like Charla, it can also be an opportunity to decide what deserves more of our time and attention.
Her involvement with the Symphony and other Cincinnati nonprofits reflects that approach.
A Leader Who Values People
Charla was also featured in the September 2026 issue of Movers & Makers Cincinnati. The article, Charla Weiss: Leadership with Respect and Empathy, written by Sheila J. Williams, offers a wonderful look at her life and the experiences that have shaped her.
What I particularly appreciated was the emphasis on her relationships with people. Leadership can sometimes be described in terms of accomplishments, responsibilities, and titles. But there’s another side of leadership that I find just as interesting: how someone makes others feel, how they listen, and how they create opportunities for people to connect.
That human side of Charla’s story resonated with me because it’s something I care about in my own work. Photography is a visual medium, but so much of the experience is about connection.
Why This Was the Right Time for New Portraits
With her growing involvement in Cincinnati’s nonprofit and arts communities, Charla recognized that she was becoming more visible professionally. Her role with the Symphony, recent media features, and potential speaking and organizational opportunities meant that more people would be encountering her online, sometimes before meeting her in person.
And the photographs representing her weren’t necessarily keeping pace with this chapter of her life. That’s something I hear from clients quite often.
Maybe you’ve changed careers. Maybe you’ve stepped into a leadership position. Maybe you’re being invited to speak, serve on boards, or contribute to organizations that matter to you. Or maybe you simply look at your current headshot and realize it doesn’t quite feel like you anymore.
Charla wanted photographs that felt warm, approachable, and professional. I loved that combination because those qualities don’t have to compete with one another. You can look confident without looking intimidating. You can look accomplished while still appearing welcoming. And you can look professional without losing your personality.
Photographing the Person, Not Just the Position
When someone comes into my studio, I don’t want them to feel they need to perform for the camera. Of course, I pay attention to lighting, posing, expression, and all the technical details that go into creating a beautiful portrait. But I also want to know a little about the person standing in front of me.
What are they excited about? What matters to them? How do they want people to feel when they see their photograph? And what is happening in their life that made this the right time to be photographed?
With Charla, I wanted to create portraits that reflected her experience and leadership while preserving the warmth and grace I noticed when we met. Because a professional headshot should do more than show people what you look like. It should help them get a sense of who you are.
Want to Learn More About Charla or Connect With Her?
If Charla’s story resonates with you, I encourage you to learn more about her work and the organizations she’s involved with. Her experience in nonprofit leadership, community building, health equity, and the arts offers plenty of reasons to start a conversation.
You can connect with Dr. Charla Weiss on LinkedIn, where you can follow her professional activities and reach out with a thoughtful introduction.
You can also explore these features and conversations:
- Charla Weiss: Leadership with Respect and Empathy — Movers & Makers Cincinnati, August 2026. A personal profile exploring her experiences, values, and approach to leadership.
- Completing the Symphony of Leadership: Introducing Charla Weiss — Fanfare Cincinnati, November–December 2025. A look at her leadership role with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.
- Intentionality with Dr. Charla Weiss — The ReDirect Podcast, June 26, 2026. A conversation about retirement, purpose, relationships, and the choices that shape the next chapter of life. Also available on Spotify.
- Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors — Learn more about the organization and its current leadership.
If you share an interest in the arts, community leadership, or building meaningful connections in Cincinnati, maybe you’ll discover something in Charla’s story that inspires you to reach out.
Your Next Chapter Deserves to Be Seen
What I appreciate most about meeting Charla is the reminder that our lives continue to evolve long after we’ve reached important milestones. We discover new interests, return to old passions, build relationships, and find different ways to contribute. And sometimes our public image needs a little help catching up.
I’m grateful to Anyah Land for connecting us, and to Charla for trusting me to photograph her during this meaningful chapter. Meeting people like Charla reminds me why I love what I do.
And maybe there’s a question worth asking yourself: If someone looked you up online today, would the photographs they found represent the person you are now?
If the answer is no, maybe it’s time for something new. Whether you’re stepping into a leadership role, building a business, preparing for more public visibility, or simply ready for photographs that feel more like you, I’d love to help.
Let’s create portraits that reflect who you are today and where you’re headed next.
[Contact me to discuss your Cincinnati headshot or personal branding photography session.]
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