What’s the good news, ladies? Back to school!

Raise your hand if you loved shopping for “back to school” when you were a kid?  I LOVED it!  Not so much the going back to school part, but I loved planning and organizing to start a new year.  I kind of get that feeling when I go to a conference and meet new people and get to learn new ways to do things.  This month, many of us were in California for the BenefitPRO Broker Expo and the show didn’t disappoint.  I’m thrilled to say that a new Broker of the Year was crowned (Congrats, Edwige Ligonde!) and I also got some great new ideas from our Fast & Furious session and met some new vendors and made some new friends along the way.  Which leads me to our next three features, who are all great women I met while attending this year!  Always so great to meet some new women in our industry, whether they are just starting out on their career path or transitioning from another one.  These three ladies bring so much energy and life to the table. I’m pleased to introduce Eileen, Jamie and Stephanie!

Elaine Horton, Consultant

“Two months ago, I left my job to pursue a career in employee benefits consulting.

The accomplishment is not the resignation; instead, it is the intentionality I put toward my professional development. I read books and scoured LinkedIn to learn more about health care. Dating back to 2017, I was fascinated by the Health Rosetta principles as a rare place where health care innovation worked – it wasn’t just a buzz word or an app.  With benefits consulting as a possible horizon, I took calculated risks to gain experience, including leading marketing at a women’s health medical device startup. We successfully exited through an acquisition by a public company. The new company chose me to lead, scaling a new procedure internationally across thousands of physicians and millions of patients. I helped change a standard of care in women’s health. Now it’s time to do the same in the employee benefits industry.”

Jamie Sewell, BeniComp Health Solutions

“2021 has been a huge blessing, as well as a rebuilding year. I recently pivoted into the healthspace because I want to empower people to live better, healthier lives.

This summer, I joined the team at BeniComp Health Solutions to work with benefits advisors and deliver custom insurance solutions that combine health insurance with functional medicine to prevent chronic illness. I chose to work in health insurance because I see it as the best opportunity to truly impact health.

In addition, I launched a blog sharing information on how chronic stress impacts our nervous systems and overall health. And I created a series of workplace wellness workshops for global marketing executives, teaching them how to regulate their brains and bodies for peak performance.

It takes a multi-layered approach to impact people’s health. Health insurance or wellness on their own just isn’t enough, so I feel fortunate to integrate the two elements in so many ways!”

Stephanie Berger, Centered Insurance Solutions, Inc.

“In January of 2021, my business partner retired, and I purchased his book of business. I then set out on a mission to rebrand the agency. My goal was to modernize the look and feel while bringing in feminine elements. I’m proud that this is a woman owned business, because I believe it brings a very compassionate approach to benefits. I’m working very hard to create a footprint in our community as a premier boutique agency focusing on service and a personal approach. I want to compete with big houses, but will never strive to be one. The clients have been energized by the new brand and upgraded services. Our office space also got a modern upgrade, which has created a new environment uplifting the team morale and productivity.”

Know any rockstar women in our industry?  I’d like to know them too, so please make sure you connect us by shooting me an email at scombs@combsandco.com and CCing them.