Her Story
About Krystal
I've been in the employee benefits insurance field in some capacity since 2016, inspired by my aunt who worked in this industry. Growing up, I absorbed a lot of knowledge by osmosis, listening to her help employees understand their benefits and break things down for people. Now, as a Business Development Executive since 2022, I work to secure new business and new opportunities through broker channels. What we do is help our brokers and their clients with their employers access their employee benefits, whether that's providing counselors and education, billing services, or even benefits administration platforms. I've been with the same company, Employee Family Protection, since 2020 in a variety of positions, and I'm pretty proud of that longevity and accountability. I get to impact people on a larger scale at the employer level now, helping build better benefits packages. The ever-changing landscape of employee benefits presents both challenges with different rules and regulations, but also opportunities, especially as technology progresses and opens up more ways for employees to interact with their benefits in a more meaningful way.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Krystal
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my internal drive and discipline. These qualities have helped me maintain longevity and accountability throughout my career. I've been with the same company since 2020 in a variety of positions, and I'm pretty proud of that. My discipline keeps me focused on doing what I say I'm going to do and being honest with people, which are core values that guide both my professional and personal life.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received has been, and I know it sounds cliche, but just be yourself. Honestly, trying to be someone you're not, or even to some extent fake it till you make it - people can tell. Just be yourself, but professionally. This advice has really stuck with me because authenticity matters in building trust and relationships in this industry.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say be confident. Don't let other people make you feel less than just because you're a woman or you're younger. You know, own your experience and your knowledge. The employee benefits field can be challenging, but if you show up authentically and stand firm in what you know, you'll be able to make a real impact helping people understand and access their benefits.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges are the ever-changing landscape of employee benefits. Different rules and different regulations that come out can just make it challenging, but that also presents opportunities. We have more and more opportunities to help employees and help our broker partners build better benefits packages. Especially as technology progresses, it opens up more and more opportunities for employees to interact with their benefits in a more meaningful way. So while the regulatory environment keeps us on our toes, the technological advances are really exciting for what we can offer.
05What 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 integrity and accountability. Those are both really important to me. I believe in doing what you say you're going to do and being honest with people. These values guide how I show up professionally and personally, and they've been key to building trust with my broker partners, clients, and colleagues throughout my career.
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