Denene Sanders Yeary
Denene Yeary is an experienced case management professional based in the Charlotte Metro area, specializing in child support enforcement, disability analysis, and healthcare administration. With over 27 years of experience across county, state, and private sector roles, she has developed a reputation for fairness, empathy, and a meticulous approach to complex casework. Denene’s career spans child support management, social security disability claims, SSI, Medicare, and Medicaid, giving her a comprehensive understanding of social services and the challenges faced by families navigating these systems.
A U.S. Army veteran, Denene served five years as a military police officer, including deployment to Saudi Arabia, before pursuing higher education. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from North Carolina Central University and a Master of Public Administration from Troy University, leveraging her military benefits to advance her academic and professional goals. Over the years, she has honed skills in budget management, legal document preparation, and client advocacy, combining hands-on experience with strong organizational and problem-solving abilities.
Currently, Denene manages a caseload of 300 to 400 individuals as a child support case manager, conducting interviews, processing applications, and scheduling DNA testing when parentage is in question. She is known for maintaining emotional boundaries while ensuring equitable treatment for both custodial and non-custodial parents, emphasizing fairness and practical solutions. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Denene also serves as a subject matter consultant for Premium.Chat, offering guidance on benefits, budgeting, investing, and strategies for building generational wealth. Her approach reflects a commitment to integrity, empathy, and lifelong learning, both in her personal and professional life.
• Insurance Agent, Accident, Health or sickness and Life
• Troy University - M.P.A.
• U.S. Army
What do you attribute your success to?
I credit my success to the foundation I built in the military, where I served five years as a military police officer. That experience taught me discipline, patience, and adaptability—skills that have guided me through 27 years in case management, helping me navigate both challenging and routine situations with confidence and focus.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received came from my mom, who at 81 is still sharp, active, and full of energy. She told me to work hard, get an education, and always do my best in whatever job I have. She emphasized that if you focus on excellence, recognition and advancement will follow naturally. She also advised that if you find work you enjoy, stick with it—a lesson that has guided me throughout my career and continues to resonate today, even in an era when job-hopping is common.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For young women entering case management or client support roles, I would advise approaching the work with an open mind. Take time to assess whether the role and the organization are truly the right fit for you. If they are, commit fully and grow in the industry—but if not, don’t be afraid to walk away. Your emotional well-being and personal balance are far more important than any job.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is the shift in the work environment, particularly the reduction of flexible work options. When I first joined, we had a hybrid schedule—three days in the office and two days remote—which allowed me to be highly productive and manage multiple tasks effectively. However, when the county moved everyone back to the office five days a week, it created significant challenges for retention, productivity, and work-life balance. The constant in-office schedule has made it harder to manage multiple responsibilities, and rising commuting costs, especially with gas prices approaching $4 a gallon, add an additional strain on employees.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my professional life, the value I hold most important is having approachable colleagues and mentors. In a supportive role, it’s essential to feel comfortable seeking guidance or doing the research to solve problems, because a healthy, non-toxic work environment is key to thriving and helping others effectively. Personally, having a strong support system is equally important. My husband and I have built a partnership over 23 years that allows me to balance work, personal life, and even side projects, giving me the foundation to succeed both professionally and personally.