PARMA Member Spotlight

Meet Candice Fisher

Tell me about how you became a risk manager?

Born and raised in Las Vegas, I had many exciting jobs growing up, but the most notable was dressing up as the robin (Red) at my local Red Robin and interacting with guests of all ages. When I was a senior in high school, I took a private-sector job but little did I know, I would work there for 16 years. A few years after I started, the company was rapidly growing and I was offered an opportunity to move out to California. I jumped at the chance to do away with my wool sweaters and the desert landscape and move to Orange County. I absorbed as much knowledge as I could with various administrative functions, but as my experience and interests evolved, I was drawn to the multiple opportunities in human resources, which ended up being my focus for the last ten years. In 2011, I took the next step in my professional career and joined the team at the City of Brea (where I am also a resident) as a HR Technician.  Through PARMA and other internal opportunities, I was fortunate to be exposed to various risk management programs that interested me. Then in 2014, I transitioned to a HR Analyst, where my main focus was working with our TPA and overseeing our workers’ compensation program. Throughout the years, I have had an interest in increasing my knowledge in the field of risk management and last year, I was promoted to a Sr. HR Analyst, where my role now includes coordinating our insurance coverage and liability claims. 

What are the rewards you experience professionally by being a PARMA member?

The quarterly chapter meetings and annual conferences have allowed me to expand my knowledge of all facets of risk management and explore fresh new ideas in my everyday work. 

How has your professional knowledge expanded by interacting with other PARMA members?

I have been fortunate to interact and meet many unique risk management professionals through PARMA, especially at our chapter meetings. I enjoy hearing about their own experiences, funny stories, but most of all, their insights. As a result, I have incorporated what I’ve learned to make the most out of our programs. In addition, I’ve established lasting relationships with other PARMA members and appreciate that I can bounce ideas off of them when challenges arise. 

When did you start realizing you wanted to move into a leadership role within PARMA?

Like many members, I attended local chapter meetings and the annual conference for several years without realizing the leadership opportunities available within my local PARMA chapter and leadership within the larger PARMA organization. Then, in 2016 my chapter Vice-Chair approached me about submitting my interest as the SoCal chapter Secretary/Treasurer because she knew I was well versed in Excel, which was crucial at the time for handling meeting registration and sponsorships and budget tracking. You never know where a conversation about your skills will lead you!

After being a member in PARMA for some time now, how essential was joining your professional association?

Joining PARMA has been paramount to my learning and growing with our ever changing landscape and has allowed me to network and work with attorneys and vendors that work best for my agency's risk management needs. In addition, without PARMA, I would not have been introduced to such a wide range of outstanding risk management professionals throughout the state.

How would you respond to a risk manager who says they don’t have time to participate in PARMA and /or moving towards a leadership position?

Participation can be shown in many ways and does not require as much time as you think. Even attending chapter meetings and engaging with others continues the transfer of knowledge to other members, which is crucial in our industry, especially for those early on in their careers. 

Additionally, our local chapters need all the assistance possible. By contributing a few hours of your time to your local steering committee, you can contribute to our overall team effort and ensure our meeting topics are relevant to our members. It’s also a great introduction to see all that PARMA leadership offers.

What do you see being one of the largest challenges for the future of risk management?

I believe there is an ongoing need to engage with the next generation of risk management professionals. With so many other visible career opportunities, it will be vital to help spark their interest in pursuing a career in this field by communicating the overall impact they will bring to the workplace and the various career paths available. 

How will PARMA respond to that challenge?

PARMA is constantly evolving to evaluate the needs of new and existing members and has already started the conversation about engagement opportunities. They continue to work on and implement innovative ways to communicate with the next generation. As our reliance on technology grows, they have been open to input from all levels to create valuable content that will reach and impact a vast audience.