What’s the good news, ladies? May edition

Don’t get me wrong, I love our industry and what I do, but it just seems like over the past 30-60 days, everyone decided to start working again and it’s been a little crazy!  Our office has been “back” since June of 2020, so we have been working throughout this pandemic in the middle of NYC and it seems like some people just got the memo!  It has been refreshing to see how people are rolling up their sleeves and getting back on the horse, but in a different way than they have before.  Some of the ladies who have inspired me during this year have been Deborah, Nancy and Lisa. They have each pivoted, as needed, and become and supported colleagues and clients, when called upon.  Check out what they have been up to!

Deborah Watkins, Care Bridge International

“Our company is woman-owned and tech-enabled, and I’m proud of the expertise, research, and attention to detail in the development of our innovative product suite.

When the World Health Organization announced a global COVID-19 pandemic, our team at Care Bridge International got agile and released a free Analytic-Powered COVID-19 calculator in less than two weeks. As a claim’s professional, I felt a sense of urgency to deliver immediate value to our clients and to assist them in understanding the medical treatment and costs associated with COVID-19, using a simple, interactive tool. Serving our clients with all my heart was all I could think about! Having served as a clinical bedside nurse during the AIDS epidemic, the pandemic was personal to me, and I felt the adrenaline rush of being on the front lines and this drove my passion. In this pandemic experience, I learned again that we are stronger together.”

Nancy Payne McEachern, Insurors of Texas

“My passion is connecting with others, creating solutions with clear systems, and buildingintentional relationships while doing so.

At the beginning of the pandemic, I was asked to create an Association plan for a client.  I quickly built a program offering affordable access to health care with the well-branded positioning of advocacy for thousands across the country.  I drew upon my love of processes and pivoted to meet the COVID-19 season head on, adding an online chassis, along with program-branded training tools.

Being in a make-shift office could have been lonely, empty from connection and fulfillment; however, I found the gift of time and increase in popularity of videoconferencing provided more personalized conversations, instead of being so transactionally based.  It was a reminder of how staying relevant in the industry and pulling from personal strengths can bring success, support and energy, even during the most difficult of times.”

Lisa Hutcherson, DARLIS LLC

“The past year has been one of resilience for me, as I was able to become a “bridge builder” for many of my colleagues and mentees in the industry, paving the way for others. These bridges are becoming like landmarks in the community of business and personal life.  In business, I began building relationships and connecting in real and authentic ways.  I also saw a need to encourage and uplift women and women of color in the industry.  So, I became the change that was needed in my community.

I found it was important to stop listening to negative chatter and jumped into a brand-new chapter and journey with my career.  I stopped doubting my compass and purpose.  As a result, I became a transformative agent in the business of my clients.”

As always, make sure you connect me to other industry rock stars. Just drop me a line at scombs@combsandco.com and make sure you look me up if you attend the BenefitsPRO’s Broker Expo in August!  Yours truly will be hosting the legendary Fast & Furious again this year and I have already booked my travel!