Her Story
About Missi
Missi Grantham has built an 18-year career in the insurance and workers' compensation industry, currently based in Phoenix, Arizona. She earned a degree in music performance from Lee College, now known as Lee University, graduating in 1995. Her early career path was influenced by her comfort speaking in front of others, which led her to join a childhood friend in building an investigation business within workers' compensation. Over the years, she has developed deep connections in the industry, taking time to focus on her family as a single mother before returning full force to her professional network. Grantham now works in her dream role at Carisk Partners, where the company values input from all levels. She is actively involved in professional organizations, serving as the Arizona Ambassador for the Alliance of Women in Workers' Compensation, a member of the Arizona Self-Insured Association (ASIA), and on the board and planning committee for RIMS. Grantham emphasizes values of authenticity, trust, and integrity, and she advises young professionals to lead with curiosity and cultivate their leadership qualities through personal accountability and a supportive network.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Missi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to integrity, hard work, and surrounding myself with the right people who share my values. Success for me is leaving a legacy through conscious day-to-day choices and aligning with mentors and companies that match my values. It's not all me; it's the people I choose to associate with, like my personal board of directors.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received is to develop and cultivate yourself now into who you want to become today. No dream is too lofty. You're not the leader just because you get the title; it's how you're growing yourself into that now, taking personal accountability, which comes from having your own personal board of directors.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Lead with curiosity. Ask the questions, no question is stupid. Spend time at industry organizations getting to know other people. Cultivate who it is you want to become now; it doesn't happen when you get the title.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge is figuring out who the decision makers are, as it can be the employer, TPA, broker, carrier, or attorney. It takes time to cultivate relationships to identify them. Also, with great products and services, finding the right way to set yourself apart so people want to work with you, since we are people serving people.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity and trust are the first values that come to mind. I surround myself with authentic and trustworthy individuals and am the person who will sit with you in the hard times. Integrity is very important. Being willing to have the hard conversations is refreshing.
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