Star City Six – Jenny Leidy
North Risk Partners (www.northriskpartners.com) provides businesses with solutions for group health, life, and disability insurance needs, as well as support to navigate all of the healthcare changes happening today. Jenny Leidy is senior account manager of employee benefits at North Risk Partners.
Tell us a little about your business.
When I first started at North Risk Partners 13 years ago, we were just a local group insurance brokerage of about eight people. Now we have over 250 employees in Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. We are committed to helping clients face risk head-on with right-fit insurance coverage and attention to opportunities for preventing avoidable losses.
How did you get started in the business?
It was by accident really. I’ve worked for companies over the years doing different jobs in human resources and benefits administration. At one company in particular, I developed a friendship with our agent. When it came time for me to leave said company, she offered me a job. I’ve been on the broker side of the benefits business ever since.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
All of the changes in health insurance over the past few years. It seems as though there’s something new every day.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have two daughters who are the best things that have ever happened to me. One is getting ready to graduate from high school, and the other is following her dream of becoming a tattoo artist.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Being diagnosed with breast cancer. It really makes you take a look at your life and re-evaluate your priorities. I’m a five-year cancer survivor!
Who inspires you?
My daughters. It seems so hard to be a teenager these days. Having dealt with divorce at a young age and watching me battle cancer, they’ve both survived adversity with such grace and strength. I couldn’t be any prouder of each of them.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Supportive.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Time travel.
What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life?
My baking skills, I think.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
I would love to own a cupcake bakery.
What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why?
The American Cancer Society. While cancer is hard for anyone dealing with it, it’s especially hard for children who have to go through the chemotherapy and radiation at such a young age. As a parent, I can’t imagine trying to explain chemotherapy and its side effects to a small child.
What is your favorite movie?
I tried to decide which movie would be the most appropriate, but I’m just going to be honest and say Deadpool. I’ve never laughed so hard. That’s what I look for in a movie.
What is your favorite TV show?
Outlander.
If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be?
Although he is not famous, I would love to have dinner with my Grandpa Wayne. I was never able to meet him because he died from cancer at the age of 46, but the way my dad reminisces about him, I know he must have been a great man.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 905-9065; Email: jenny.leidy@northriskpartners.com; Website: www.northriskpartners.com.