What’s the good news, ladies? 5 years of highlighting women

Can you believe this series started five years ago?  Five years of women sharing their career highlights.  Five years of women in our industry crushing their goals.  Five years of women supporting women and nominating others to share their stories!  If that doesn’t get you going, I don’t know what will.

Five years ago, I was writing random articles and blogs for BenefitsPRO, but one day,  I had a conversation with Paul Wilson when I was consulting him for a new topic.  His answer:  “Susan, I need to hear something good.  There is so much negativity out there and I want some positive stories.”  Instantly, the light bulb appeared over my head.  You see, our industry is made up of under 20% women. And while the women who are in our industry are killing it every single day, they often go unrecognized. So I thought, “Why not have the women I know share their good news and highlights from the past 12 months. And that’s how “What’s the good news, ladies?” was born!   In the years since, so many of us have connected on LinkedIn, Facebook, in person at conferences, and even in our very own “Wonder Woman Mastermind” that started a year ago this month.

These women are nothing shy of incredible; they are the ones who are always looking behind them to reach out and pull the next one up to their level, sharing their good news with the people they know and building a community of fierce females who others want to emulate.  This month, I’m excited to share the stories of the next crop of ladies who will lead us into year five in style.  Please welcome Jessica and Kimberlee to the crew!

Jessica Word, RHU, President Word & Brown

“Like many working moms, I’m proud that I was able to manage a year of distance learning for my two young children.  And, keeping a dual focus on my work family was also a big priority. When the pandemic first hit, I worried that we might lose the tight connections we had with each other — a culture we worked hard to form over the years.

Through regular check-ins and fun virtual events like happy hours and team games, we stayed connected and kept our work culture alive!

I made a point to schedule regular check-ins with team members (especially parents!) to see how we could support any challenges at home and work. And after listening to them, we made the decision to move forward with a hybrid back-to-work model, meeting each team member’s needs while also giving them the ability to make the best choice for them and their family.”

Kimberlee Langford, Director of Business Development for Specialty Care Management

“Magic happens when we set a sincere intention.   I have decades of experience helping peopledelay or avoid kidney disease and dialysis and help folks live well when they start dialysis. But there are many – and the numbers are increasing!  Years ago, I set an intention to help greater numbers of people to live their best lives.

I help advisors to assist great numbers of people through the employer groups they serve.  I collaborate with a powerful and grounded team of professionals who have a passion for mitigating risk, doing the right things, and putting a bridle on the high-cost claims that are described as predatory and crippling for employers and employees alike.

I have never shirked from challenges and have found embracing challenges to be where I have grown the most. It’s like a petri dish for magic.  I am energized by my work and the mission of my company.  There is so much magic we can do together!”

It less than a month until the BenefitsPRO’s Broker Expo and I’m excited to see so many of you in person!  I’m lucky enough to again host the Fast & Furious session with my Wonder Woman Judging Crew!  Know any incredible women in our industry?  I’d like to know them too, so please make sure you connect me to them by shooting me an email at scombs@combsandco.com and CCing them.  Hope to see you in Cali next month.