Her Story
About Maria
Maria Calendo is an insurance professional with 16 years of experience in the group insurance space, having started in 2009. She previously served as a National Account Sales Consultant, managing relationships with large employers and focusing on growth, retention, and client success. She graduated in 2011 from the Eller College of Management with a double major in business management and operations management. Her achievements include being named National Account Executive of the Year in 2018 and 2019, as well as a Platinum Leaders Club member during those years. She is a member of the Women in Sales Network. Maria attributes her success to the supportive work family and leaders who recognized her potential early in her career. She values team collaboration, mentorship, and helping others, and advises young women to believe in themselves and not hold back from pursuing opportunities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Maria
01What do you attribute your success to?
I really do attribute to the work family that supported me all this time. I'm grateful that I was given a chance. I'm grateful that in my early years, there were folks that were in leadership roles that recognized me, and saw me, and valued me.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The only person that can hold you back is you. As a woman, sometimes we don't reach for more, because we don't think we're worth it, and it belongs to us.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don't hold yourself back, because at the end of the day, you are so capable. Believe in yourself, in a way that I know sometimes can be hard for all of us.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges that I've experienced, kind of just in corporate America, is listening to your gut. Like, when you find yourself at a point where you're realizing that you're not in the right spot, kind of being brave enough to make that change instead of just hoping things will be different in the future.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my working life, team collaboration is so important to me, and kind of mentorship, as well as having a mentor and a leader that you respect. I'm just all about helping and collaboration. Pausing and taking those minutes to help someone else and check in with someone else, it really does make a difference.
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