What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
Quartz is a provider-owned health plan, so we’re able to work directly with care providers to improve health outcomes for our members. The health insurance industry gets a bad rap at times, but I believe so strongly in what we’re doing at Quartz that I try not to let the headlines deter me. Being provider owned, we don’t operate on huge profit margins, but rather on the premise that working together is the best way to manage the cost of health care, and Quartz is on the leading edge of this. I’m very proud to be directly involved in this.
Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
Ami Myrland at Capitol Bank is someone who I greatly admire. Ami has been an essential supporting pillar in my career and is a mentor who I hold in the highest of regards. In addition to being a well-accomplished leader and an amazing mother, she somehow finds time to be an advocate for the community she serves. Ami serves as a reminder that it is imperative that we don’t lose our morals or ethics as we chase our goals. More importantly, she understands the value of relationships. We are all a community and when we decide to be selfless in our decisions, we create a better future for the next generation.
Greg Johnson at MBTA is a mentor I have had since getting my first job out of college. He was there early in my career to ask the tough questions about my goals, and throughout the years has shared his wealth of knowledge, especially when it comes to business strategy. I have much admiration for Greg because he pushes to constantly evolve.
What has been the high point of your career so far?
I believe I am currently at a high point in my career. There are many things I want to accomplish so I’m sure a year from now my answer may differ, but I am proud of the individual I am and the one I continue to grow into each day. I am proud that I did not allow any of life’s excuses to define who I am or what I am capable of. I am proud of my passion to support individuals without a voice in our community and to help those who are just finding theirs. There are so many more things I want to achieve and right now my desire, commitment, and the initial steps are all small achievements in comparison to what I will one day do. I am proud that the younger generation feels comfortable talking to me about the complexities and uncertainties of their lives, and I get to draw from my background and experiences to help them see the strength that lives within each of them.
Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
There were so many mistakes I had to make to become the person I am today. As for advice, I would tell my younger self three fundamental things:
- Always be curious;
- Failure happens and it’s OK; and
- Find ways to support those without a voice.
What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
When I moved to Dane County from Charlotte, North Carolina, I did not know what to expect. I knew it was cold and that I should never speak ill of the Badgers. What I did not expect was the strong sense of community. Within months, I found myself biking trails with neighbors, supporting local nonprofit organizations, and getting familiar with the diverse collection of restaurants. This was all organic and made me realize that this was not just a place I was working in, but it was my new home.
Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
I’m a lactose intolerant Steelers fan who married into a cheese-enthusiastic Packers family, so I like to pretend that I’m a superhero since I’m still alive after five years. On a serious note, a hidden talent of mine is my curiosity. The value of this hidden talent is that it enables me to learn new skills and understand complex matters rather easily.
What are your guilty pleasures?
Being a curious and social individual, my kryptonite can be small talk. I like to understand people and one way I have sharpened this skill is by listening to podcasts and audiobooks or reading materials that are philosophical or communication centric. Whether focusing on a task or taking a drive, I find it helpful to throw a good book or episode on. I recognize it’s a bit nerdy, but I believe so much is lost during communication when we don’t take the time to understand the other person.
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