Tell me about how you became a Risk Manager? 

I began working in a claims office at Kemper Insurance many years ago as a transcriber/typist for their claim adjusters.  I promoted over the years from transcriber/typist all the way to Business Development and traveled the United States obtaining business for Kemper.  Kemper eventually sold off their products and became a TPA (now known as Broadspire/Crawford).  I left claims and began working for St Joseph Health System in Risk/Finance, one of the best organizations I have ever worked for! This company was owned by the Sisters of St Joseph and emphasized its core values of compassion, dignity, justice, excellence, and integrity as their guiding principles for its operations.  I was then provided an opportunity to work for The City of Orange and after 8 years with this wonderful City I took another opportunity to work for the City of Huntington Beach.  Moving from private industry to the municipality side involved transitioning from a profit-driven environment to one focused on public service, with different structures, incentives, and cultures. This shift was very rewarding, because I value job security, work-life balance, and the opportunity to contribute to the surrounding community.   

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

There is an unbelievable abundance of networking opportunities, educational resources, and access to a wealth of expertise within the PARMA organization.  

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

I have acquired so much knowledge from interacting with my PARMA members.  Each risk professional has great information to share, and we have no issues bouncing questions off each other.  I have made wonderful relationships with PARMA members, and I am forever grateful because they helped me become more successful in my career.  

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

I attended a SoCal PARMA Chapter meeting years ago and experienced my first PARMA Conference in that same year.  I was impressed and decided right away to become a volunteer in the Chapter.  There happened to be a Vice-Chair position open, and I was accepted/approved to take on that leadership role from the beginning.  I held that spot for 2 years and then moved up to the Chapter Chair position.  I’ve loved every minute of it! 

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

It is essential to understand and continue to gain as much risk management knowledge, relevant and current information as possible to aid in making informed decisions for your organization.  Joining PARMA was the gateway to these “essentials”. 

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

I would encourage any risk professional to enjoy the positive outcomes, advantages, or rewards resulting from participating in PARMA! 

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

One of the largest challenges currently is the “talent gap” that exists due to the retirement of many risk management professionals in the industry.  The retirees have legacies that need to be carried forward and approved upon by younger, upcoming rising stars of risk professionals.   

How will PARMA respond to that challenge? 

PARMA will respond to this by continuing to offer the education, knowledge, and mentorship necessary for each professional to equip themselves with the tools to carry on the legacies with success.