15 business leaders share their strategies for success

September 18, 2024 9:39 AM

The key to success doesn't have to be complicated. In fact, it may be as simple as asking a colleague.

Eighty-nine percent of employees considered generational diversity in the workplace as a positive element of work, according to a recent study from resume building platform LiveCareer. Eighty-seven percent viewed the opportunity to learn from each other as a good thing for their experience, making advice from senior management in any industry incredibly valuable.

Which is why EBN asked its Excellence in Benefits award winners to share their best tips, strategies and suggestions for young talent and newcomers on how to succeed in the benefits industry.

"Our field evolves rapidly, so maintaining a curious attitude is essential to staying ahead of emerging trends and innovative solutions," says Jennifer Loar, account executive team lead at Lockton Companies. "Engage in conversations with peers and subject matter experts and dedicate time to reading articles that deepen your understanding of industry dynamics."

Read on for advice from this year's Excellence in Benefits winners.

Jodie Braner

Employee benefits producer, adviser and consultant at IMA Financial Group

"Learn all areas of employee benefit plan delivery. Be genuine and honest. Understanding how the administration and financial components must align to meet goals is key. Take advantage of insurance carrier education programs. Learn underwriting and components of risk. Gain insight into data sets. Study the pharmaceutical marketplace. Continue education with certifications. Know the payroll and HRIS vendors transitions with implementations and the impact for promotion of the benefit programs. Acquire skills in communication, specifically understanding the different generational and cultural aspects of employer groups. Most importantly, stay humble and curious. It is okay to ask questions. Always deliver as promised. Proactive delivery of hard news is easier than reactive delivery."

Celine Cannizzaro

Head of health and wellness at Geico

"Be fearless. Be confident and stay humble. Don't ask for approval from your leadership team; you've already done the R&D and have come to a conclusion that a strategy is right for your company, so make the recommendation. Don't take no for an answer. Look at every 'no' as an opportunity to continue a tough conversation. Elevate your team and be inclusive of everyone. Drive innovation and strive for moonshot strategies that are focused on creating long-term sustainable health and happiness for your employees and their families. Always keep the employee and their family in front of you; they are your customers and are completely dependent on your expertise to maintain their health and well-being."

Libby Culpepper

Director of people operations at Guild

"My advice for anyone interested in pursuing a career in HR is to develop a genuine passion for people and their well-being. This field requires empathy, patience, and a strong desire to support and uplift others. Additionally, stay curious and open to learning. The HR landscape is constantly evolving with new technologies, laws and best practices. Networking with other HR professionals, obtaining relevant certifications and staying informed about industry trends will also be invaluable as you build your career."

Melissa Danielsen

Co-founder and CEO at Joshin

"I've always connected to the mantra, "'If not you, then who?' If you're passionate about something, whether it's a topic or a problem you see in the world, especially if you have a personal connection, make it happen! I'm energized to see so many creative and innovative people driving health equity for underserved populations. We need advocates to build new and innovative tech, so let's keep the door wide open. We need more entrepreneurs building and more investors investing in solutions by women, disabled people, neurodivergent people and people of color. The market is there, and we can lean on one another for support."

Read more:

Best HR Teams 2024

Anita Grantham

Head of human resources at BambooHR

"I know most people get into HR because they want to support employees, but my advice is to be a business expert first. If you understand the mission, vision, culture, strategy, growth goals and needs of the business, then you have everything you need to support the growth of both the company and its people. Business objectives should drive how you retain, reward, and recruit people. Never stop learning, always be listening, and as soon as you think you have heard it all, remind yourself that there is still more to learn."

Stephanie Koch

Director of human resources at Hendry Marine Industries

"There are so many areas of the human resources profession that have a profound impact on an organization's success. Seek out the part of human resources that you know drives you towards excellence and creates a passion inside of you that you didn't know you had."

Jason Lee

Chief of Chime Enterprise at Chime

"My advice for someone pursuing a career in this industry is to stay deeply connected to the real needs of the workforce. Understanding their challenges and aspirations is crucial. Additionally, identify product-market fit before you start. If the problem is real, you'll see existing attempts to solve it that your technology can operationalize."

Jennifer Loar

Assistant VP and account executive team lead at Lockton Companies

"For those new to the consulting industry, my advice would be to foster curiosity and take proactive steps toward learning. Embrace a mindset of curiosity and actively seek out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills."

Yvette Marsh

Assistant VP of talent management at LSU Foundation

"I've encountered many young professionals who have shared that their interest in benefits and other human resource related careers is driven by their desire to 'help people.' I strongly advise that this can often be an insufficient sole motivator. Success in a benefits role is accomplished when there is a convergence of doing what's in the best financial interest of your organization, possessing the ability to keep your ear to the ground to determine what employees need and want, and the tenacity to make it happen."

Cynthia McEwen

Head of DEI at Progyny

"Be a generalist. At least to start. While HR and benefits career paths can get very specialized, it helps if you've seen and formally pursued learning in other areas. When I am thinking about an issue in the benefits space, it helps that I've had exposure to organizational design, workforce planning, strategy development, compliance, building engagement programs, creating compensation philosophies and more. It's okay to be a jack of all trades before you move on to something you want to master."

Kiernan Nolan

Chief information officer of benefits at Pacific Life

"If you are interested in pursuing a career in this industry, my advice would be to focus on moments that matter for the customers. This means understanding their needs and pain points, and finding ways to deliver solutions that make a real difference in their lives. It's also important to break free of legacy constraints and be willing to embrace new technologies and ways of working. However, remember the people — building strong relationships and collaborating effectively with others are key to success. Finally, be prepared to be a lifelong learner, as the industry is constantly evolving and there is always something new to discover."

Lynn Perkins

Co-founder and CEO of UrbanSitter

"If entrepreneurship can be considered an industry, my advice would be to start with a well-vetted business idea. If you're seeking a co-founder, find someone who shares your short-term and long-term vision and embodies your core values. Starting a business involves many ups and downs, and having a clear vision and the right partner will help you weather the tough times. Be prepared to hear a lot of 'no's' before getting to a 'yes.' Use the feedback from the rejections to improve. Remember, entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint, so make sure you pace yourself to maintain the energy needed to reach the next milestone."

Read more:

5 good habits essential for a successful career

Ralph Spagnuola

Partner at Nava Benefits

"Make sure you understand and believe in the mission of the company you work for. Leadership and mission are so important to your day to day work that it's worth really understanding. Also, don't assume you have to be a broker to be in this industry. There are so many opportunities to contribute from marketing to IT to brokerage. Dig in and learn about the industry and you will find the right place to make your mark."

Tyren Thompson

Retirement planning and benefits manager at Zoom

"I always encourage early professionals to prioritize gaining experience over education, and to find the right balance between both. Early in my career I was too focused on taking all the right classes, which was helpful, but not necessarily applicable or relevant to me. If I could do it differently, I would have gained on the job experience first, and then used formal education and development programs to supplement that knowledge."

Whitney Van Sciver

VP of human resources at Direct Federal Credit Union

"Connect with other professionals in the field, attend events and don't be afraid to ask questions. HR is all about relationships, so building a strong network will give you valuable insights and support."