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Executive Team

Executive Team

Brian and Elizabeth Ward have built more than a company together; they’ve built a life. Married for nearly two decades, they bring that same partnership, trust, and shared vision to everything they do at 5W&Co, leading with the belief that the strongest teams are built the same way strong marriages are: with consistency, communication, and a genuine commitment to growth.


At home, Brian and Elizabeth are outnumbered and outmatched by their three strong-minded children, who keep them on their toes and remind them daily what real leadership looks like. When they’re not cheering from the sidelines at a game or a meet, you’ll find them curled up on the couch with an episode of Big Brother, or out on a mountain trail together, taking in the view and a little quiet before the next chapter begins.


It’s that same balance that shapes the way they lead: with ambition, with heart, and always as a team.

Founder / President

Brian brings a disciplined, mission-driven approach to leadership, shaped by his military background and years of experience building businesses in Cleveland. As Founder/President of 5W&Co and a published author, he has built a company grounded in the same principles he learned in service: accountability, resilience, and leading from the front.


A recognized voice in the Cleveland business community, Brian is a sought-after conference speaker who shares his insights on leadership, sales, and building sustainable growth. His approach to business reflects 5W&Co’s core philosophy: real success isn’t handed to you; it’s built.

HR Director & Founder

Elizabeth is the driving force behind 5W&Co’s people-first culture. As HR Director and founder, she’s built the systems and support structures that make the company’s merit-based, promote-from-within philosophy actually work — ensuring every team member has a real path to grow.


She holds the line on the values, integrity, and high standards that define who 5W&Co is, and she’s especially passionate about empowering women to strive for more — to push past what’s expected and build something bigger than a job title. Alongside her husband and business partner, Brian, she’s helped turn 5W&Co into a place where people don’t just clock in; they build careers.

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If you would like to work with us or just want to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!

Cleveland, OH

(216) 588-1212

hr@5wandco.com