Meet Sharon:
I am a fun-loving, family-oriented people person who loves and enjoys life and helping anyone in need.
I love the arts, traveling, my Philly sports teams (fly Eagles, fly!), nature, dining out with friends, and attending my grandson’s games.
Where are you from, and where do you live now?
I am from Philadelphia, PA, and currently reside here. Many years ago, I lived in Northern California, but after experiencing an earthquake, I decided California was not for me.
Sharon meets NIA:
How long have you worked at NIA?
I have been with NIA for 8 months.
What did you do before that?
Before coming to NIA, I’d worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years, specializing in underwriting.
Sharon L. spends some time relaxing on a boat.
How did you come to find NIA?
Seeking employment brought me to NIA. When researching the company prior to applying, I was impressed with how the organization gives back to the nonprofit sector, making them members and awarding them dividends.
How did your job interview go?
My interview went well. The managers I interviewed with were personable, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to.
Sharon’s NIA Career:
Tell us about the growth of your career at NIA.
My career is progressing quite nicely! I was originally hired as an Associate Underwriter and was recently promoted to Underwriter I.
The great onboarding training provided helped me acclimate to NIA’s processes and procedures with ease.
Do you like working remotely? How often do you go into the office?
Working from home is a pleasure but I do miss the interaction with people, collaborating and bouncing things off one another during the course of the day.
Also, I miss doing agency visits, where that face-to-face time created an awesome working relationship.
Do you feel you have a good work/life balance?
My work/life balance is very much under control. I know when to put on the brakes with work and take the time to rejuvenate myself.
I learned from past experiences — when I would run myself in the ground working 12-14 hours, seven days a week, and not taking time for me.
How is working here different from other jobs you’ve had?
Working here at NIA has been an eye-opening experience. Like any organization, we want to be successful, but NIA will think outside the box to find ways to offer a nonprofit insurance coverage.
My previous carriers were all for profit and the bottom line was profit — and not the needs of the insured.
What is your favorite thing about working at NIA?
My favorite thing about working for NIA is knowing I am making a difference in someone’s life by assisting the nonprofits with staying afloat with their insurance coverage. These organizations are vital to the community.
Do you feel supported and respected by the people you work with?
I am pleased to be working with a great group of people who respect my knowledge and expertise and are willing to provide assistance whenever I reach out with a question.
Are your ideas heard and acted on? Can you provide a short example/story?
My thoughts and ideas are well received by my manager. I recently requested that we have a “lunch and learn” to go over contracts to better understand what is acceptable and what to look for.
Have you taken advantage of any of the continuing education opportunities that NIA offers?
At this time, I have not yet taken advantage of the continuing education opportunities that NIA has to offer, but will review in the future. There is always room to grow!
Sharon L. spending time with her grandchildren.
Sharon’s Impact:
Can you tell us about some of your favorite/memorable nonprofits that we work with?
My favorite nonprofit that I have worked with is Habitat for Humanity.
How has your work at NIA affected your life and/or community involvement?
I appreciate being able to give back and helping individuals and families with getting a meal is very rewarding. No one should go hungry — it breaks my heart to see malnourished people.
Being charged with volunteering as part of my annual professional goals, I am currently volunteering at a PAL center near Philadelphia.
It has been rewarding making a difference in some of the youths’ lives, just by listening and showing an interest in what they are saying. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting some awesome youths!
