What’s your background and how did you get to where you are now?
In June 2016 I moved from the Philippines to New Zealand to become an international student. In my first week I found a remote part-time role as an Insurance Consultant with Cigna. I started as a credit card repayment insurance specialist and later upskilled to provide products including accidental death insurance, travel insurance and ANZ Life & Living Insurance.
After returning from maternity leave in July 2021, I became an Adviser Consultant based in the contact centre, before joining Rebekah’s Virtual Adviser team in October 2021. Last December I was offered a permanent role as a Chubb Life Insurance Adviser.
What do you like most about being a virtual Adviser?
I like that I can reach people from different parts of the country and talk to them when it suits them, since I have a lot of flexibility around work hours.
As an Adviser, one of my jobs is to make sure my customers understand the value of insurance. The most rewarding part of my role is seeing customers who I’ve built strong relationships with become insurance advocates and start referring their friends and family to me.
How do you work with people across our business?
I always look at us as one team, just doing different things. Respect will always be there, regardless of what you do. I’m always happy to help out in any way I can. One example would be around language capability, whether that’s helping with translation or taking over a referral if that gives the customer a better experience.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
When I was younger my older sister told me to “focus on what you can control, and don’t worry about the things that you can’t.” This is such great advice that I’ve applied to both my personal and work life. It made me channel my energy on things that I think I can change and eliminate unnecessary stress.
Tell us about your family
There’s six of us in the family: my ever-supportive husband Chase, our three girls Zoey (13), Neena (11) and Lilly (3), who are all daddy’s girls, and a cat named Oreo (four human years old).
What do you like to get up to outside of work?
Outside work my world revolves around my family. We look forward to Friday movie nights, everyone helps with chores on Saturday morning before church in the evening. Sunday is reserved for family activities, whether that’s playing badminton or doing art – it’s pretty flexible.
What are you reading/watching right now?
I recently started reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. I’m enjoying it so far, and it’s opening my eyes to the compounding effects of those little things that I do and don’t do. I also recently watched K-Pop Demon Hunters with my girls.
Who is guaranteed to make your day 100% better?
Shout out to my manager Rebekah Williamson for always being ready to help when I need it.
I’m also fortunate to have super awesome teammates who support me in all areas: sharing knowledge about our process and products, and even helping each other stay motivated.