Written by Bloom Magazine
Your history is an indicator that you have been very successful in your career. How did you get into the workers’ compensation field?
It was happenstance. I left working for the court system in Domestic Violence and went to work for a temp agency. For about three years, I worked for Chad Motes, a personal injury and claimant attorney, followed by five years with Cora Molloy, who was an insurance defense attorney. She joined Morgan and Morgan and I followed her there. Realizing I needed a complete change, I became a truck driver for a while and learned I was pregnant. It so happened that the Risk Generalist position was open with the City of Cape Coral in January 2017. I applied and started in February 2017. It was the job I wanted and perfect timing. I love it.
In your current role, what do you believe has the most significant impact on the outcome of each claim and the injured employees?
I like being able to talk to the employees, who are actually my co-workers, and help them through the workers’ compensation process, answers questions, build relationships with them and others. We have a bond. I believe that helps them get through the claim process. Rooting for them all to recover. We all want them to come back. It’s all about communication and a team approach.
When faced with a critical decision, what do you find most helpful to you within your organization as well as from your own experience to help you make that decision?
Taking time to process, stepping back, looking at it, giving it a few minutes, and discussing the situation with the Risk Manager and a co-worker who was acting Risk Manager for a long time. When there are difficult and challenging situations where decisions need to be made, I want and need that collaboration.
Describe your best “ah-ha” moment (or two), when you knew something you had done had a rippling impact in a person’s life, whether at work or personally.
One was at work, but it was a very different situation. I also handled subrogation, and I had a citizen call who was extremely distressed. Her driver’s license was suspended in error following an accident. Lots of red tape for her and I helped her get her license reinstated. Sometime later I received a text message from her sharing how much she appreciated what I did to help her when no one else took the time. That really meant something to me. I realized I am here to help others. That’s my role.
What are the three characteristics or traits you possess that have influenced YOUR path and makes YOU who YOU are?
Positivity always. Happiness – I love to laugh. Taking life so seriously brings me down. I make fun of things, myself. I like to look at the bigger picture and it’s happy. Empathy – I feel what people are going through, the situation as a whole.
Did you have a mentor (or two)? If so, what impact did that person (or people) have in your life, in regard to your career, your life.
The first is Sue McKenzie. I worked with her at one of the law firms. She is that person who can make you laugh, I mean belly laugh hysterically, and she’s family-oriented and taught me a lot about working in the field of personal injury. We are friends to this day from 15 years ago. That one year I worked with her made a huge impact on my life. Another is Cora Molloy who was in my corner all the time. She helped me with some personal issues. I don’t know how I would have handled them without her support. When I left Morgan and Morgan, we lost contact and didn’t talk for eight years. At the WCI Conference, Cora was there, walked over to me, and gave me a hug. I had been praying for that moment for eight years! I used to send her messages so her giving me that hug was everything. I love that woman. Three of us who worked together so long ago went to dinner at the conference. It was like no time passed. She helped me prepare for the job I’m in with the City of Cape Coral, just from what she taught me.
What makes you happiest, balanced, fulfilled?
My daughter. No hesitation. She just turned five. Also, if I am extremely stressed, my most relaxing thing to do is take a ride in the car with the windows wide open and the music up. It makes me happy.
If you could make one change in the industry, what would it be?
More awareness. I don’t think everyone understands what workers’ compensation really is. Sometimes my co-workers don’t understand about filing a claim and what happens from there. Helpful is a session going over the basics and making sure they know workers’ compensation is there to help them when they’re injured, and it’s nothing to be afraid of.
As an employer, what differentiates your workers’ compensation program or “back to work” program from others?
I keep in constant communication with each employee’s supervisor to see how each person is doing and I check on work status. It’s a strict return-to-work policy. We don’t want to lose any of our employees so we work together to find something they can do working for the City of Cape Coral.
Is there anything additional you would like to share?
I love my job. I love what I do. I wish I had more time to go out and meet the employees to build relationships with them. Having them see my face so they know who they are talking to. It’s difficult considering we have approximately 2100 employees at the City of Cape Coral, including the charter school system.