- Campus:
- IU Bloomington
Could you explain some of the responsibilities of your role at IU?
I currently serve as the Director of Benefits at IU, so I am responsible for employee and student benefit plans, such as medical insurance and retirement plans. My team works with our vendors to ensure our employees are enrolled in benefits, which includes contracting, managing enrollment files, communication and education, ensuring compliance with regulations for our plans, and helping employees with any questions they have. There is a lot that happens behind the scenes, and we work with a lot of other teams across IU to make all of that happen!
Can you share some insights into the skills or experiences from your IT background that have proven valuable in your current position?
My background is actually in IT. I started my career working as a database programmer for a healthcare company. I then moved into higher ed, working on the security team for the enterprise HR/Payroll system at the University of Illinois and then as the system administrator for the course management system at Kent State University. When my spouse’s job brought us to IU 18 years ago, I actually started in University Institutional Research and Reporting. I learned so much about IU and our data working in UIRR. Because of my interest in healthcare and benefits, I eventually moved to HR to work as an analyst and just progressed in my career from there.
The healthcare company I worked for after graduating from college was a small organization and, while my main role was a database programmer, I had to wear many hats. For example, we didn’t have business analyst roles within the organization, so in addition to doing the programming requests, I had to work with end users to collect all of the data requirements for every project, QA (quality assure) the output, test system changes, and train others on new functionality. I was essentially a project manager that was also the programmer, too. I was able to learn how to work with different teams and different people, but most importantly, I was able to learn the more functional side of the business, not just the technical side.
Within my current role, I often collaborate with units and departments across the IU campuses to implement new strategies, educate employees, etc. Having the experience on both the technical and functional side of an organization has really helped me to excel in my role at IU. It has also helped me to adapt to many environments and learn quickly.
Reflecting on your career, what are some of the most valuable lessons or experiences that have shaped your professional journey?
I never want to stop learning. That is probably why I also love working in higher ed. Not only are employees encouraged to learn, but the work environment provides so many opportunities to work on new projects, initiates, and to interact with so many experts in different fields. I also ask a lot of questions. That probably seems off-putting to some, but I just always want to learn how things work.
Also, I think it is important to really listen to those around you. Working with end users years ago, I quickly learned how important it is to understand their needs in order to translate that into the report, system functionality, or new tool they are requesting. Being an active listener (and asking questions!) helps to ensure you are seeing every angle or viewpoint. I work with a lot of employees that need support and guidance, and really listening to them and asking questions about their situation helps me to come up with solutions that I hope will help them.
What is your philosophy on leadership, and how do you strive to inspire and lead others in your professional role?
I like to be authentic and transparent with everyone I work with, including my team. I feel like open lines of communication encourage everyone on the team to interact. I never mind rolling up my sleeves and doing any work that needs to be done to support my team and help with projects or challenging issues that may not be the most fun. I also like to be available to help answer their questions and challenge them to ask questions, too.
What are some of your hobbies outside of work?
I really enjoy spending time with my family, baking, and running. I am not fast or very competitive, but running is my stress relief and the time I take for myself to ensure my mental wellbeing. (And a way to burn off all of the baked goods!)