So, something major happened forme this month.  Drumroll please … I turned 40! My Gramma Ruby Fern always said, “You're always 25 in your heart”and now I think I truly get it.  I'm taking it in stride.I had a kick ass party with teacup pigs, BBQ and Wonder Womaneverything at my CrossFit Dutch Kills Gym,surrounded by about 150 friends and family. We raised money for theUniversity ofMissouri Veteran's Clinic, run by the School of Law andembraced the joy.

I also think that not “freaking out” over 40 is in big part dueto feeling inspired in my career by the many men and women of allages who are committed to our industry.  Each month, I getto share with you all the incredible work that women all over thecountry are doing; each time I do this, I get to take a beat andtake in their creativity.   This month, I'm proudto introduce you to Suzy, Annette and Ashley.  These womenare crushing it in our industry while focusing on innovation,growth and education!

Suzy K.Johnson, CEBS, RHU, CLTC, Employee Benefit Advisors of theCarolinas, LLC “During the past 12 months, oneof the things I have done that I am proud of is going outside of mytraditional health care consulting box to implement health plansolutions and tools that reduce costs for the plan and for theiremployees.

One of these offerings is “virtual direct primary care” toemployees at no cost.

I was introduced to this solution whiel attending BenefitPRO'sBroker Expo in San Diego in 2018. The solution is offered through acompany called ReDirect Health and solves the need for employers tooffer a comprehensive, low cost and user-friendly MEC plan.

As I delved into the offering, I also learned about a sharedhealth plan called Sedera that can be paired with ReDirectHealth.  This solution is for employer groups, and allowsemployees to purchase their own shared health plan on top of theMEC offering to protect themselves from catastrophic health needsat a fair price.

After contracting with both companies and implementing thesolutions, we have now implemented it with six difference groupsand counting.

I am driven to find best in class solutions to solve high healthcare costs facing employers, as well as their employees.”

AnnetteHammortree, CLTC, RICP, Hammortree Financial Services,Registered Representative & Investment Advisor of Park AvenueSecurities, Financial Representative of Guardian

“As I reflect, the past 12 months have been veryinteresting.  I had a record year.  After 32years of being in business, anotheryear of increasing revenue, 2018 was up 40 percent. I'm Top OfTable with Million Dollar Round Table, recognized for PresidentsCouncil, and number three in the broker/dealer! All this, despitethe fact I had to replace two staff people on my three-personteam.  This business never ceases to amaze me. No matter what life challenges I have faced with family, losing abrother at 42, a special needs child with cancer, divorce, there isalways an opportunity to impact more lives while remainingsuccessful!  I feel accomplished. After many years of hardwork, I know that if I focus on the client, having good systemsand/or processes in place, a dedicated team (there is no “I” inteam) and consistency, everything else will take care ofitself.”

AshleyDronenburg, Raffa Financial Services, Inc.

“I believe that knowledge ispower. Providing my clients with the information and tools tomaximize their benefits experience has been one of my mostfulfilling accomplishments as an account manager. I want my clientsand their employees to not only utilize the benefits they have, butalso to get the most out of the benefits they have.

For 2019, I made it a professional goal of mine to increase mycompliance knowledge of the insurance industry and communicate thatto my clients via social media. I have been expanding my presenceon LinkedIn by writing articles for our company blog andcommunicating with my clients to stay informed about the manymoving parts in the employer-sponsored benefits world. It is hardfor employers to find the time to keep up with the ever-changingworld of benefits compliance. If I can make it a bit easier forthem by posting a simple article on the latest bill to be passed,then my job is done. It is an exciting time to be in our industry,we thrive on educating employees about how to be virtuous consumerswithin their health care plans.”

As always, if you know of great women in the field who areworking hard to make this this industry event better, send me anemail introduction to [email protected]. I'd loveto connect!