Dena Oneal

I truly attribute my success to the example set by my grandparents, Porter Ellis and Annabelle Ellis.

Long before I understood leadership or strategy, I watched them work hard, show up for others, and give back to their community, quietly and consistently without recognition. That same example was reinforced by my parents and shared among my sister and cousins as we grew up together.

Later, my time at University of Tennessee, Knoxville only deepened that belief in the power of community and connection. On campus, there is a saying, “Vol is a Verb,” and it is exactly that, an action word. It is about showing up, serving, and being part of something bigger than yourself, and that mindset became part of how I live and lead every day.

Everything I value in my career, how I lead, how I serve, and how I build relationships, can be traced back to them. They lived lives full of purpose and resilience, and if I can accomplish even a fraction of what they did, I will consider that success.

The best career advice I have ever received is simple, stay curious. That mindset has opened more doors for me than any title or plan ever could. Because I stayed curious, I kept learning, asking questions, and stepping into things I did not fully understand yet.

That willingness to learn led me to opportunities I never would have imagined for myself. I would not be where I am today if I had not followed that advice. Curiosity has a way of moving you forward, even when you cannot yet see where it is leading.

If I could give one piece of advice to young women entering the third party administrator space, it would be this, do not underestimate the power of learning the business from the ground up. This industry can feel complex, but if you stay curious, ask questions, and take the time to truly understand how things work, you will set yourself apart quickly.

Also, do not sit quietly at the table. Your perspective matters. Speak up, even if you are still learning. Some of the best growth comes from being willing to ask the question others are thinking but are hesitant to say out loud.

And finally, build relationships. This is a relationship driven industry, and how you communicate and show up for others will matter just as much as what you know. When you combine strong technical knowledge with genuine connection, you become someone people trust, and trust is everything in this business.

The biggest challenge, and honestly the biggest opportunity, in the third party administrator space right now is that everything is getting more complex at the same time. Regulations are tighter, data expectations are higher, and clients expect faster, clearer, more personalized service than ever before. At the same time, the industry is growing quickly and becoming more technology driven, with increased reliance on data analytics, automation, and real time reporting. 

What that creates is a gap, and I see that gap as the opportunity. There is a real need for professionals who can take complex information and make it understandable, who can build strong processes that actually work, and who can communicate clearly with both clients and teams. The technical side matters, but the human side matters just as much.

I also believe one of the biggest opportunities is community and relationship building. As more things become automated, the organizations that stand out are the ones that still prioritize connection, trust, and responsiveness. This is not just a numbers business, it is a people business. The firms that can combine strong systems, smart use of technology, and genuine relationships are the ones that will continue to grow and lead in this space.

The values that matter most to me, both personally and professionally, come from how I was raised. I grew up in a family deeply connected to University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where the identity across campus is centered on being a Volunteer. There is a saying, “Vol is a Verb,” and that was not just something we heard, it was something we lived.

I was raised in a family that believed in showing up, giving back, and doing the work without needing recognition. The idea of being the quiet helper was just part of who we were. You helped because it mattered, not because anyone was watching.

That has carried directly into how I lead and work today. I am not driven by awards or recognition. You will not see me leading with “look what I did.” If I am talking about something, it is because I want others to be part of it. It is always about how we can help, how we can support, and how we can make an impact together.

At the core, I value service, humility, and community. I believe the most meaningful work happens when you focus less on being seen and more on making a difference.