Celebrating the Women of Empyrean

Women’s Equality Day commemorates August 26, 1920, the day the 19^th amendment was signed into law giving women the right to vote in the United States.

Today and every day, we celebrate the women who make Empyrean great. We asked some of these amazing women to reflect about what workplace gender equality means to them and to share their perspectives on everything from women who have inspired them to advice they would give anyone growing their own careers.

Colleen Waymel
Chief Operating Officer
Empyrean team member since 2012

What does Women’s Equality Day mean to you?

Women’s Equality Day means taking time from our busy lives to remember, be thankful, and celebrate the incredible distance we have (all!) come and the remarkable people and events that have made that progress possible. 

It means acknowledging the many incredible people – women and men – who have inspired us to be who we are today. And it means keeping our sights set on the future that we need to aspire to achieve for ourselves and for our children and grandchildren.

Who are some females that have inspired you during your life – both personally and professionally?

There are so many amazing women I can point to, but my grandmother and mother stand out as they were both STRONG working professionals, great moms (but not perfect people), and anything but conventional. 

I grew up never questioning my opportunities as a woman because I saw the two of them doing what they did with so much class, strength, and care. My grandmother was a college graduate, a divorcee (when divorce wasn’t prevalent), and independent working mother of two. To add to the mix, my father worked from home (before working from home was a thing) so he could be with my three siblings and me while my mother worked outside the home in an active career in politics.

What moment made you most proud to be a woman of Empyrean?

I am proud to introduce myself as COO of Empyrean and to be in a position of influence over such a great organization and team of people. I recognize there is still room for continued growth for more women at Empyrean, and my role gives me the unique opportunity to represent others and show strength for women in leadership – not just at Empyrean but in the market as well.

I’m incredibly proud to not only represent Empyrean, but also all women with the hope that I am inspiring someone in the same way my grandmother and mother inspired me.

What does workplace gender equality mean to you?

It means we all freely share our thoughts, views, and opinions without the typical stereotypes associated with gender. It means we find creative ways to support our working parents/caregivers so they can continue to contribute and thrive at work. 

Do you have a special message you’d like to share with the group?  

We all face obstacles of some kind. We can’t always control what happens around us, and we may not fully eliminate the obstacles, but we should never let them stand in our way. This quote from Christian D. Larson says it all – “Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.”

Trisha Martinez
Team Manager, Service Center
Empyrean team member since 2015

What does women’s equality mean to you?

To me, women’s equality means that I can be who I am as a person and not feel like I am beneath anyone else. I can express my values and passions, and ultimately meet my individual goals without facing the stigma that I cannot do something just because I am a woman.

Who are some females that have inspired you?

My mother has been my biggest inspiration. I would not be the dedicated, hardworking, and intelligent woman I am today without her continuous support. Growing up, my mother transitioned from a stay-at-home mom to a hard-working woman in the workforce holding multiple jobs. Seeing her grow and achieve her goals inspired me to be the best version of myself – and made me realize that I can achieve anything I set out to do in life.

What’s something (in life or at work) that makes you feel empowered?

I feel empowered by positivity. Whether that’s in the workplace or not, giving and receiving positivity every day boosts my motivation and pushes me to do better and go farther than I have before.

Valenda Chancey
Compliance Manager
Empyrean team member since 2014

Who are some women that have inspired you during your life – both personally and professionally?

Personally, I give full credit to my mother for inspiring me from a young age. She was my first example for how to exhibit grace, tolerance, and patience when facing adversity. (Now, I’m not saying I’m successful in doing all these things at all times, but as the saying goes ‘Momma tried!’)

She was a stay-at-home mom and raised four children while my dad was the ‘breadwinner’. We had much more time with mom as a result, and she provided many life lessons that remain ingrained in me today. 

Professionally, I vividly remember the first time I had a female manager early in my career. It was in the 80’s, when it wasn’t as common to see women in leadership roles. My manager was the only female Vice President in the company, and her reputation preceded her – she was tough!

In hindsight, I recognize that she was tough for good reason. She led her team by example – always. She was a great mentor at a time when we still wore business suits to work daily, complete with closed toe high heel shoes and hose! While times (and dress codes!) have changed, the work ethic and life skills I learned early on, from two great women, still inspire me today.

How has workplace gender equality evolved during your career? 

Goodness – where do I start?!? Things have evolved and changed significantly from when my career began to now! 

I think we’re seeing more positive changes play out in a big way in recent years, with actions such as not requiring gender designation at all, or making it an optional disclosure on everything from surveys, to job applications, to benefit election sites.  

What moment made you most proud to be a woman of Empyrean?

I just realized my 8-year anniversary working with Empyrean earlier this month. I use the word ‘with’ rather than ‘at’ or ‘for’ because my experience here has consisted of (and continues to involve) collaboration with so many different teams and talented co-workers. There’s the saying, “there is no ‘I’ in teamwork.” In my experience at Empyrean, there is no gender relevance in teamwork either. We are all working toward one common goal, and that’s to provide our clients with stellar service.

Vinita Tyagi
Benefits, Compensation, & HRIS Manager
Empyrean team member since 2017

As our Benefits, Comp & HRIS Manager, is workplace equity important in the work you do? If so, why?

I think that compensation and benefits are the lead indicators of how much value a company puts on workplace equity. Our policies and practices are guiding us to ensure that Empyrean is a place where a woman (or for that matter any individual) can come in and put in their best work without being held back by their gender identity.

I can proudly say working at Empyrean each day I am able to reinstate our organization’s belief in workplace equity.

Who are some women who have inspired you?

I have been privileged to know many strong women in my life. Some are part of my family, others are close friends, some I have known professionally and have the honor to work with. Each of these women have inspired me, taught me, and guided me in the interactions I have had with them.  

Do you have a special message you’d like to share with the group?

To all my fellow ladies – the strength that we seek is within us. Spend your energy and resources in developing yourself and not in external validation.

Olivia Lopez
Sr. IT Project Manager
Empyrean team member since 2022

Who are some females that have inspired you?

My mother and older sister have inspired me so much. My mother always taught us to be strong women and encouraged us to do and pursue whatever we wanted to in life. She supported us every step of the way – including whatever decisions we made professionally and in our personal life.

My sister is one of the strongest people I know. She has worked tremendously hard – and continues to work hard – for everything she has earned in life. She is one of the first few Spanish captioners in the U.S. and also owns her own successful business!

What moment made you most proud to be a woman of Empyrean?

Honestly, the day I was offered this position. Knowing Empyrean believed in me enough to come into a new EMPO to manage a variety of complex projects was an incredibly meaningful day for me.

Do you have any advice for women entering career paths / industries that have been historically male dominated?

Don’t doubt your worth or your own potential to achieve your goals. No matter what obstacle you may face, you can get through it if you work hard enough and want it bad enough.

What is the most important piece of advice you were given during your career?

This may seem simple, but these words of advice from a CIO that I previously worked under have stuck with me throughout my career – “Be intentional in whatever you do.”

Carla Kimble
Sr. Implementation Manager
Empyrean team member since 2016

What does workplace gender equality mean to you?

Workplace gender equality means that everyone has access to the same opportunities, and that those opportunities are based on your qualifications, abilities, and contributions – not your gender.

Who are some females that have inspired you?

My grandmother and mom are my biggest inspirations. They both became mothers in their teens, but they didn’t let that stop them from accomplishing their goals. They both attended college and surpassed all the stereotypes that one would project on a teen mom.

My grandmother became the first black RN in neurosurgery at the VA hospital in Dallas, TX, and my mom has traveled to over 14 different countries as a PM. Both while married and raising their children. They are the epitome of perseverance and proof of just how much you can accomplish with a lot of hard work and determination.

What is your proudest Empyrean work accomplishment?

My proudest work accomplishment at Empyrean is not limited to one moment. I feel like my role as an Implementation Manager suits me perfectly in that each successful go-live/project completion is an accomplishment.

Every project presents a unique set of challenges. Each challenge presents opportunities. To be able to navigate both with the client to achieve a positive outcome is always an accomplishment.  

Alysah Leos
CSR Lead
Empyrean team member since 2020

What does women’s equality mean to you?

Women’s equality means having the security and support to take up space. Having the freedom to BE and flourish as a human – without social judgement, financial disparity, or fear of harm by others. Being whoever you want to be and being represented.

This includes allowing men to take up space as well, and share responsibility for roles that may have at one time been viewed as outside of “traditional gender roles”. It means supporting others and sharing responsibilities that should not be defined by gender.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Be unapologetically you!

What’s something (in life or at work) that makes you feel empowered?

Learning makes me feel empowered. Whether it’s learning a new client at work, new disc golf techniques, or learning how to better myself as a human. Gaining knowledge and having the ability to pass it on is one of the most rewarding and empowering things I do for myself.

Katie Carroll
Sr. Consumer Marketing Manager
Empyrean team member since 2022

What does Women’s Equality Day mean to you?

It means treating everyone with fairness and respect and recognizing that every single person has unique needs.

It means that my daughters won’t be told something they are passionate about or interested in is “for boys”…like I was.

In your role, you speak directly to participants using our platform. Do you feel like your work helps women overcome inequities in healthcare?

I myself have had trouble navigating the healthcare system in the past, and that has influenced how I guide our participants. For example, I still have large hospital bills for the birth of my second child. I’m also navigating how to cover occupational therapy costs for my 4-year-old.

At a bare minimum, my focus is to ensure that every participant understands what benefits are available to them and how to use them. From there, we can help women learn how to use benefits to their advantage and enable them to thrive both physically and mentally. I think we have become so accustomed to just surviving that we have lost sight of what it means to truly thrive.

As a working mother, how does Empyrean support you?

I’m given the space to not feel pressured to figure out a “work/life balance”. I have many things going on in my life and working for Empyrean is just one of them. Some days this means working during baby nap times or not having to worry when preschool is closed (again) and I have both kids at home. If the work is moving forward, then I am empowered to balance my schedule as needed. I wish every parent had this type of support, especially in the early years of parenthood.

What is the most important piece of advice you were given during your career?

Your voice is your superpower, and your voice is more powerful that you realize.

Speak up, share those new ideas, fail, learn, it’s all part of the human experience. Stop worrying about what people think, they are too busy dealing with their own things anyways. 

Happy Women’s Equality Day!

Pet Insurance Enrollments Surged by 56% in 2022

Today is National Dog Day, which was first celebrated in 2004 across the country to increase awareness about dogs in need of rescue and to encourage pet adoption.

Now celebrated annually on August 26th, members of the 69 million U.S. households who have at least one dog recognize the day by taking to social media to post photos of their pups and share information about local animal shelters and pet rescues. 

As a nation, why are we so obsessed with our pets?

The benefits of pet ownership are evident. According to a pulse survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 75 percent of pet owners surveyed reported that spending time with their pet helps them manage stress levels while increasing their sense of well-being.

From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, pets quickly emerged as the ultimate work from home companions. Office closures, social distancing, and lockdowns forced Americans to spend much more time at home, leading to a surge in new pet adoption and ownership across the country.

As of March 2021, more than 23 million American households had brought home a new pet since the start of the pandemic. With more than 70 percent of U.S. households owning pets, the majority of which pay more than $2,000 annually in pet care, many employers are offering supplemental benefits to assist employees with pet care costs.

Data from the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA) shows that there has been yearly double-digit growth in pet insurance enrollments since the mid-2010s. Empyrean’s 2022 enrollment data shows a dramatic 56.37 percent increase in pet care benefit adoption over 2021, with almost 35 percent of plan participants offered the benefit electing coverage.

As more U.S. households welcome pets home each year, employers can expect employees to continue to seek ways to offset the financial costs associated with pet ownership – especially during times of economic uncertainty.

Pet Benefit Solutions – An Empyrean Preferred Partner

Pet Benefit Solutions is a valued partner in our carrier network, integrating directly with the Empyrean platform to create simplified administrator and employee benefit experiences. Comprehensive coverage under Pet Benefit Solution’s Total Pet Program includes veterinary care, pet product savings, and pet care services.

There are several key advantages for employers looking to offer pet insurance benefits through Empyrean’s partnership with Pet Benefit Solutions, including:

• Simple and straightforward employee enrollment directly in the Empyrean platform
• Easy setup and streamlined administration
• Coverage for all pets with no pre-existing condition exclusions, waiting periods, or deductibles
• Flat rate family pet plan coverage for multiple pets
• Simple billing processes with no reconciliation needed
• High employee participation and engagement rates

Please contact our team at info@goempyrean.com with any questions regarding the Empyrean platform or our ability to integrate with your preferred pet insurance carrier.

Happy National Dog Day!

The Growing Role of Financial Wellness Programs in Support of Total Employee Wellbeing

Human resources and benefit leaders continue to navigate one of the most volatile and fast moving business and economic landscapes many of us have ever known. The Great Resignation, increased levels of caregiver responsibilities, financial uncertainty tied to the ongoing pandemic, inflation, and other macroeconomic factors have brought an even stronger focus on the need to support total employee wellbeing in the form of financial wellness benefits.

With 62 percent of employers reporting that they feel “extremely” responsible for the financial wellness of their employees, organizations are taking this challenge more seriously than ever. Back in 2013, just 13 percent of employers said they felt this same level of obligation to their teams.

Companies that offer financial wellness programs have an opportunity to play a vital role in bridging the gap between work and financial health. The advantages of supplying this level of support for employees is well documented, with improved outcomes in areas like employee engagement and productivity, recruitment and retention, cost containment, and workforce management and diversity.

Caregiving Needs Can Threaten Financial Wellness

As employers develop their benefit strategies, it is critical to consider programs that support the needs of employees serving as caregivers – especially those in the sandwich generation caring for both children and older adults.

More than one in five U.S. adults have acted as unpaid caregivers in the past 12 months, a statistic that often goes overlooked by employers as only half of employed caregivers say that their manager is aware of their caregiving responsibilities. Demographic trends indicate the need for caregiving will continue to increase, negatively affecting employers due to rising employee stress levels, decreased productivity, and increased rates of absenteeism.

Employers can help employees balance work and caregiving responsibilities while protecting their financial health by offering tools and programs designed to meet their needs, helping to improve emotional, financial, and physical wellness across their employee populations.

Offering benefits like caregiving support services, paid family and medical leave programs, and flexible work schedules and arrangements can help foster an inclusive and supportive environment for employees that serve as caregivers.

Carrier Partner Spotlight: Prudential

Prudential Financial continues to be one of Empyrean’s strongest carrier partners, and together we are committed to helping our clients’ employees get the financial protection and support they need as they navigate life’s challenges. Through simple and efficient delivery, we make it easy for employers to provide options that help their teams work towards both short and long-term financial goals while simplifying the enrollment process and improving overall employee experiences.

With operations in the United States, Asia, Europe and Latin America, Prudential provides customers with products and services that include life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds and investment management.

There are several advantages for employers looking to offer Prudential’s financial wellness benefits through the Empyrean platform, including:

• Easy setup and administration
• Zero cost implementation for employee-paid products
• Expanded employee choice
• EOI Connect and EOI decision status update API capabilities
• Streamlined data integration and reduced production-ready timelines due to standard EDI templates

Access the full Prudential report, “Why Employers Should Care About Caregiving,” to learn more about how to provide increased financial wellness support to the caregivers in your organization.   

For more information about the Empyrean and Prudential partnership, please contact us at info@goempyrean.com.

Empyrean is an independent third-party administrator and is not affiliated with Prudential.

Group Insurance coverages are issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a Prudential Financial company, Newark, NJ.

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