Elizabeth Chrane, Chief People Officer, OneDigital

You describe yourself, growing up in West Point, Georgia, as “a typical first-child overachiever.” What does that mean?

My high school was so small—only 15 people in my graduating class. I’m only 5’3” but I somehow managed to play basketball and be a cheerleader and be on the track team and play softball while also running for student body offices and being a part of all sorts of service organizations. I strived to do it all.

Wow. I guess there’s no there’s no overachiever like a small-town overachiever.

Absolutely.

When you were growing up, who were you mentors, your heroes?

In high school, my English teacher taught me a lot of different things. He never pushed back when I argued a different point of view. That has made me a better person, a better leader. I would also give a lot of credit to my mom, because for most of our lives, my sister and I were growing up in a single-parent household. She was an entrepreneur, a tiny but mighty person. People call us both a term we use here in the South—steel magnolias.

I’m a Yankee, born and bred—forgive me for that—but tell me something about Atlanta that I should know.

Atlanta has an incredible food scene. All types of amazing food happens here. So when you come and visit Atlanta, you have to map your way through the restaurants.

Tell me about your solo travels.

When I was about 40, I decided to try my first solo trip to Bali. It was an amazing trip that gave me courage and confidence to continue that type of travel. I went by myself a couple of years ago to Bhutan.

I read that Bhutan is the happiest place on earth. Did you experience that happiness?

I totally did. The people there are caring, thoughtful and happy. They’re happier with so much less than we are with the wealth that we have.

What’s the best part of your job?

The people. I have the best fortune of working with an amazing team, and I learned early that I should always hire people who are smarter than me. OneDigital’s CEO, Adam Bruckman, is the best person I’ve ever worked for. The entire leadership team places great value on culture, retention and employee engagement.

We talked about family earlier. When you got married, you gained a stepdaughter, which must have been quite a transition for both of you.

My stepdaughter is only nine years younger than I am, so she’s more of a friend to me. I found out when I was 30 that I was going to be a grandmother, and that has been one of the most beautiful things that I have been granted. They live close, so we see them all the time. And I have loved being a part of their life and watching them grow up.

Is there something your co-workers would be surprised to learn about you?

Early in my career, I had the opportunity to throw out a first pitch at an Atlanta Braves game.