Megson FitzPatrick Insurance Services

What I Was Hired to Do

I started at Megson FitzPatrick (MFI) as an Auto Account Manager for the summer between I completed my Masters in Statistics and started my Masters in Television Production. However, life brought me back to Victoria, BC and so they were happy to re-hire me and expand my role to administrative and underwriting tasks.

Eventually, I stepped into the role of an executive assistant to support the C-suite team. 

Accomplishments

• Supporting of the company-wide culture transformation through leading initiatives that helped the entire team internalize the new Mission, Vision and Values (e.g. producing internal and external promo videos, employee appreciation day, Jostle launch, employer appreciation day).

• Leading projects that provided immediate improvement results such as creating the online quoting tool online and re-structuring the leadership team meetings and cadence.

• Being considered a respected thought-partner and sounding board by the COO Laura Bolster and the CEO Jay Tuson. I once received appreciation for holding a vendor accountable for sub-par service in a meeting when I saw that others in the room were worried about confrontation.

• Knowing enough about the company top-to-bottom to be able to fill in most roles when short-staffed.

Additional Thoughts/Learnings

I was spoiled by this high performing company, taking all its amazing qualities for granted. The leadership was intentional, down-to-earth, humble and truly recognized the value of their team. I could have been a life-er there, except that I was anxious to leave Victoria - since I am not well suited to that laid back Island life.

Accountability was huge in this company. They were intentional about performance reviews, recognizing high performers and coaching struggling employees and recognizing when someone was not contributing to a positive culture. What set me up for success at MFI was that there was no job too big or small. In the same day I would be doing front line work like taking out the trash, answering work and binding auto policies while drafting new company policies and procedures, leading meetings and auditing employee hours and vacations.

I am eternally grateful to the entire team for teaching me to always setting the bar high, doing the right thing and delivering results.