What’s the good news, ladies?  4th Quarter

I’m not sure about you, but I tend to hear Europe’s “The Final Countdown” song in my head every year when we hit 4^th Quarter.  How’s everyone feeling?  Anyone need to phone a friend?  Need a hug?  A cookie perhaps?  I know that my partner, Colleen Blum and I are determined not to be sick for the holidays this year and have been planning out a strategy of immune boosting shots and IV infusions because dammit….I think we earned a healthy Christmas and New Year!  What are your plans for wellness to keep you healthy during the nuttiest time of year for our industry?

The three ladies we are featuring this month are all about growth and change!  What have you been doing to gear up for Q4 and 2023?  If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out what Stacy, Kate and Karen are up to!

Stacy Compty, Mployer Advisor

“In the last 12 months, my professional life saw so much change and subsequent growth. After 13 years with the same company in the health care space, I made the incredibly difficult decision to make a change. I had hit my ceiling of growth and opportunity and it was time for a new challenge. I jumped at an opportunity at another health care company and found early success, but I was not happy. I was discouraged, but hopeful. Out of the blue, a former mentor stepped in and offered me a job at Mployer Advisor, a new industry for me (employee benefits broker space) and despite feeling a little green, I have never been so happy with a decision. Change can be so scary, and I am proud of myself for making the leap (and then another little leap) to where I am today.”

Kate Tobie, The Fortis Agency

“Having the opportunity to assist and become a leader for other women has been a hugeaccomplishment for me in the past few months.  My sports background as a college athlete and coach has definitely helped prepare me to excel in my current role within my firm, in ways that I could have never anticipated.  This past year, I’ve been presented with leadership opportunities not only within my firm, but for the Morris County Chamber of Commerce, where I was most recently the quarterback for our quarterly “Women In Business” luncheon that brings women from around New Jersey together to network, connect and mentor other women in our state.   I have also enjoyed taking on more women as clients, giving them confidence in their own finances and showing them that women can be the CFOs of their households!”

Karen Thomas, Chief Growth Officer, Alegeus

“In the last 12 months, I’m really proud of what we’ve accomplished in terms of creating a focus around being a partner-first organization—a mindset shift where our success is tied directly and exclusively to that of our partners, who are at the core of all that we do. It’s gratifying to see the success and growth they’ve continued to achieve over the past year, considering the challenges around the war for talent and, more recently, the economic uncertainties facing many employers and their employees. By aligning with our partners’ objectives in providing their employer clients with the best benefit options, including increasingly compelling health and wealth programs, we’re collectively creating operating leverage.”

Know of any rock star women in our industry?  If you do, please help with this effort and shoot an email to scombs@combsandco.com as I’d love to connect, bring them into my circle and share their successes with our readers as well!