The balance between innovation and connection

"In a world full of apps, portals, and QR codes, I still believe one of the most powerful tools in employee benefits is a real conversation. I'm passionate about bringing back the "human side" of benefits communication by meeting employees face-to-face, answering questions in real time, and making benefits feel less overwhelming and more personal whenever possible. My favorite part of my job is troubleshooting the unique issues employees may face, and that's often hard to accomplish through a portal alone.

I truly believe the best outcomes happen when technology and personal interaction work together. While technology has created incredible efficiencies and access to information, there is still something invaluable about human connection, especially when employees are trying to make important health care and financial decisions for themselves and their families.

One of the highlights of my year has been partnering with Q4intelligence, a community of benefits professionals focused on collaboration and innovation. As the only Employee Benefits Producer/Principal in a 100-year-old, predominantly Property & Casualty agency, having a strong community of fellow EB professionals to connect with has been both energizing and invaluable."

Betsy Bigler, MSN, RN, President/COO, Northwind Health Company

"Last year was a tremendous personal and professional growth opportunity as I worked on a long-term strategic partnership focused on bringing better benefits to members through a complex, multi-faceted project. From new networks and technology to an enhanced member experience and integrated partnerships, the goal was to create a cohesive ecosystem that members could easily engage with. Pulling every layer together over many months challenged my Lean Six Sigma skills and pushed me to break through glass ceilings and open new doors professionally.

Little did I know in nursing school that I would one day be spearheading a technology platform for complex eligibility systems, but here we are. One thing I have learned over the years is to keep saying "yes" to opportunities. In this industry, we all bring foundational elements like training, licensure, degrees, certifications, and experience. The real value comes from using those skills to navigate the unknown, bring order to chaos, and keep the member and potential patient at the center of every decision.

It truly takes a village to work on projects of this scale, and watching others grow throughout the process has been incredibly fulfilling. As a nurse, I once helped one patient at a time. In what I do now, I can help 10,000 at a time."

I'm always grateful for the opportunity to highlight women like this through the Wonder Women series, the ones quietly doing meaningful work, solving complex problems, leading with heart, and making a real impact on the people around them. So many of the women in this industry are helping move it forward every single day without stopping long enough to recognize just how much of a difference they're making.If there's a woman whose story deserves to be shared, I'd genuinely love to hear about her. You can always reach me at scombs@combsandc.com.