In 1979, I returned every memo addressed to "Salesmen" until my company changed it to "Salespersons." It may seem like a small victory, but words matter.
Susan Mason · In Her Own Words
Her Story
About Susan
Susan Mason is a highly experienced insurance professional with more than four decades of expertise in employee benefits, business consulting, and client relationship management. She has been active in the insurance industry since 1979, dedicating her career to helping businesses develop and implement effective employee benefits strategies. Susan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education, English Literature and History from Western Michigan University and holds several professional credentials, including the Registered Health Underwriter (RHU) designation and the Licensed Insurance Counselor (LIC) designation. She is also licensed in property and casualty, medical, and life insurance, reflecting her broad knowledge of the insurance industry. Susan currently serves as an Employee Benefits Advisor at BHS Insurance in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she continues to provide strategic guidance and customized benefits solutions for business clients. Prior to joining BHS, she was a partner at Preferred Benefits, Inc., where she built a successful career after joining the firm in 1991. Following the agency’s acquisition by BHS at the end of 2018, Susan continued serving clients while maintaining long-standing professional relationships that span decades. Her experience includes developing fully insured and self-funded benefit programs, educating employees, and helping organizations identify opportunities to improve their overall benefits strategies. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Susan is deeply committed to service, leadership, and community involvement. She serves on the board of Arbor Circle and has partnered with organizations including the YWCA, Eight Cap, Women's Resource Center and various Legal Aid offices to support meaningful community initiatives. Susan credits her career success to hard work, resilience, and the determination to persevere despite facing gender discrimination as one of the few women working in benefits sales roles. She believes in leading with truthfulness, punctuality, and adaptability, emphasizing that respect for others’ time and transparency are essential values. Susan was influenced by several women through her career, Rita McLean, Betty Stamm and Pat Siciliano to name a few. As a mentor to women entering the insurance industry, Susan encourages them to embrace opportunities, have confidence in their abilities, be open to change, and build their careers with honesty and integrity.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Susan
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work, perseverance, and the determination to never give up, even when faced with challenges and barriers. Throughout my career, I have encountered gender discrimination in a traditionally male-dominated field, but I used those experiences as motivation to continue pushing forward, proving my capabilities, and creating opportunities for myself and others. My resilience, commitment to excellence, and belief in the value of persistence have been key factors in helping me overcome obstacles and achieve my goals.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is to keep putting myself out there and learn from every experience. Not every opportunity, proposal, or bid will result in success, and it is important not to take setbacks personally. I have learned to stay resilient, continue exploring new possibilities, and recognize that each experience provides valuable lessons that help me grow, improve, and move forward.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering my industry is to embrace opportunities, believe in themselves, and not be afraid to take risks, including pursuing commission-based roles that can open doors for growth and success. Change is constant, and learning to adapt while remaining confident in your abilities is essential. I also encourage women to lead with honesty, transparency, and integrity, as building trust and staying true to their values are key to creating a lasting and successful career.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are truthfulness, integrity, and respect for others. I believe being honest and transparent builds trust and creates stronger relationships. I also place a high value on punctuality because being on time demonstrates respect for other people’s time, commitments, and contributions. These principles guide how I approach my responsibilities and how I interact with those around me.
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