Courtney Seymour
Courtney Seymour is a seasoned Senior Account Executive at Unum with over 13 years of progressive experience in the insurance and benefits industry. Based in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, she leverages her deep expertise in human capital management (HCM) integration, absence management, and ancillary product portfolios to deliver innovative, customized benefits strategies. Her approach focuses on ensuring superior client experiences while delivering competitive benefits packages that meet the evolving needs of employers and employees alike.
A graduate of Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, Courtney’s career journey began with impactful internships that shaped her strategic approach to client engagement and operational excellence. She has held various roles at Unum, from Sales Intern to Account Executive, before advancing to her current leadership position. Her work consistently reflects her commitment to solving complex challenges, building lasting client relationships, and driving meaningful outcomes for organizations.
Courtney is recognized not only for her professional achievements but also for her dedication to service and leadership beyond her core responsibilities. Active in industry organizations such as the Silicon Valley Association of Health Underwriters, she has served as Communications Chair and continues to contribute to the advancement of best practices in benefits administration. Her career is defined by a passion for innovation, a commitment to excellence, and a personal philosophy that aligns with Theodore Roosevelt’s sentiment: true achievement comes from striving valiantly, regardless of outcome.
• CA Life and Health License
• Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business - B.S. Marketing
• Santa Clara University - B.Com
• Make A wish Foundation/ Sanbay Foundation
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a combination of hard work, dedication, and genuine passion for what I do. I approach every challenge with determination and a commitment to excellence, believing that sustained effort leads to meaningful results. My passion drives me to continuously learn, adapt, and innovate, ensuring that I not only meet but exceed expectations. By investing deeply in my work and in the relationships I build, I create lasting value for my clients and teams, turning ambition into tangible achievement.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that the effort you put in is what you’ll receive in return. Success comes from dedication, persistence, and approaching your work with genuine passion. When you commit fully and care deeply about what you do, the results naturally follow.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to approach your career with joy and passion. Love the work you do, embrace challenges, and always seek opportunities to help others. Hard work truly pays off, so remain dedicated and persistent. Most importantly, stay true to yourself—your authenticity will be your greatest strength and guide throughout your professional journey.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field today is navigating the complexity of the benefits landscape, which often involves balancing evolving regulations, diverse workforce needs, and the growing demand for flexibility. An important opportunity lies in improving benefits offerings in areas where the U.S. lags behind other countries, such as paternity leave. Expanding and enhancing these benefits not only supports employees’ work-life balance but also strengthens organizational culture and retention.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are passion, hard work, compassion, helping others, and honesty. Passion drives my commitment to excellence, while hard work ensures I deliver meaningful results. Compassion and a desire to help others guide how I build relationships and make a positive impact, and honesty serves as the foundation for trust and integrity in everything I do.