Trixie Plaisance, CIFI, FCLS
Trixie Plaisance, CIFI, FCLS, is a Regional Account Manager at Ethos Risk Management Services and a seasoned insurance professional with over 20 years of experience across claims management, special investigations, litigation support, and risk mitigation. In her current role, she helps clients navigate complex insurance solutions and leverage specialized services for optimal outcomes. Known for her analytical approach and investigative expertise, Trixie combines her Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator (CIFI) and Fraud Claim Law Specialist (FCLS) credentials with a hands-on understanding of insurance operations to deliver practical, defensible solutions.
Trixie began her career as a claims assistant, where she discovered a passion for the investigative side of insurance. She progressed through roles as a field investigator and SIU manager, developing deep expertise in fraud detection and special investigations. Over the years, she has worked across a broad spectrum of insurance arenas, earning a reputation as a general insurance specialist who makes complex concepts accessible. Her typical day involves problem-solving—addressing unexpected claims issues or guiding clients through nuanced risk scenarios—leading her to describe herself simply as a professional problem solver.
Beyond her professional expertise, Trixie is committed to continuous learning, currently pursuing advanced education in Clinical Forensic Psychology at Capella University. She is an active member of the Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) — Greater Bluegrass Chapter, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Educational Society, and the Alabama Self-Insured Association. Her dedication to both the technical and human sides of insurance ensures that clients and claimants alike benefit from thorough, thoughtful, and effective solutions.
• Fraud Claim Law Specialist (FCLS)
• Louisiana State Notary Public
• Certified Insurance Fraud Investigator (CIFI)
• Six Sigma Black Belt Professional (SSBBP)
• Bosch Crash Data Retrieval Certified Technician
• Mississippi Independent Adjusters License
• RIMS: Greater Bluegrass Chapter
• RIMS: Risk Management Community, Education, and Resources
• Louisiana Claims Association
• International Association of Special Investigation Units
• Alabama Self-Insured Association (Member)
• Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Educational Society (Member)
• Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) (Member)
What do you attribute your success to?
I've always been very eager to be good at things, and I get that from my mom. She was an educator, and I think she instilled in me the love of lifelong learning. I think that, in itself, has kind of given me the footing that I needed to develop a career without a formal education and to continue learning, growing and expanding even beyond what was necessary for my role. So I think I would attribute it to that - my mom and her teaching me that lifelong learning is essentially the key to having a successful career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
For a long time, especially the investigation sector of insurance, has been male-dominated, and my advice is to put yourself in rooms that you don't feel like you belong in yet, and listen twice as much as you talk, because that's what teaches you what works. You surround yourself with people that are smarter than you and know more than you, and then you just absorb. Step into rooms that you don't think you belong in, because the only way to belong in them is to be in them, right? I think there's some importance in just proximity and trusting yourself to get to that point, even if you don't feel like you're ready yet. Chances are you're probably more ready than you think.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The field is really rapidly changing with the usability of AI, and misinformation is everywhere. In insurance, that can cause a lot of really big problems. We're learning how to evolve with it, but it's evolving at a pace that humans just cannot possibly keep up with, to some extent. It's been challenging to stay fresh and stay young and learn all of the new trends in investigations - it's really important to be up-to-date on the newest trends, even social media platforms and things like that. That can be quite a challenge because there's just so much consumption of it that it gets overwhelming. There's also a huge consumer distrust when it comes to the insurance industry, which from a consumer standpoint I totally understand, but it does make our jobs a little bit more difficult. Those are probably the leading factors that are causing us problems right now.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Lifelong learning, integrity, helping people, and strong problem-solving.