Jacqueline Roth, Director of Employee Benefits, Bolton
“If I keep recruiting people that look just like me, I’m part of the problem.”
Q
You were elected student body president at Champion Christian High School. Do you recall your campaign platform?
A
Oh, my gosh, I love this question. I remember part of my speech saying, “I can’t promise you cupcakes on your desk every morning, but what I can promise you is I will be your voice and I will represent you.”
Favorite vacation spot: Maui (“When I get there I start to walk more slowly. The aloha spirit doesn’t let you walk around like a crazy person, like in Los Angeles.”)
Favorite place to take visitors: “Local vegan foodie spots.”
Favorite local restaurant: The Raymond (“They have a good wine list, great cocktails—and their tater tots! You could eat those tater tots and dream of them the next day.”)
Favorite dish at The Raymond: Grilled vegetables with tater tots
Favorite movie: Encanto (“I can’t believe I’m quoting a kid’s Disney movie as my favorite movie. But I think the whole idea of that movie—about gifts, your personal gift—I cry it’s so good.”)
Favorite actor: Danny Pudi (Abed in the TV comedy “Community”)
Favorite book: The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown and The Yes Brain by Tina Payne Bryson
Q
You mentioned that you have a passion for communication. Where did that come from?
A
When I was really little, my parents told us girls, “You each have different gifts.” At a young age, I loved getting other people talking. I have this belief that you can say just about anything if you say it well, if you have built trusting relationships, so that people hear you and give you the benefit of the doubt. Communication fascinates me, because it can open doors that we never thought were possible in terms of employment opportunity, earnings, activities, how we want to live our lives.
Q
What strikes me is that you had figured out the value of communication at the age of 18 and it’s probably something that took me about 60 years.
A
I hardly had it figured out. I’ve learned some things by risking out loud, where I’ve crossed boundaries that I didn’t know existed and suffered some of the consequences of, “Oh, yikes, I didn’t realize I was pushing it too far there.” I think I had the opportunity to be around a lot of different professions and people, and my parents encouraged me to go chat with all of them!
Q
Last year you became PAC chair for the Council of Employee Benefits Executives. Tell me about that role.
A
My role is I get to be a cheerleader for our industry. Fewer than 5% of members of Congress have any insurance experience. So our stories and clients’ experiences really do matter.
Q
You talked about leadership before. What three words would your co-workers use to describe your management style?
A
I think they would say I am clear, I am enthusiastic. I think they think I’m reasonable—reasonable and aspiring.
Q
What does your perfect weekend look like?
A
A perfect weekend for us is definitely some degree of hosting. There’s not a weekend here at our house that we don’t host something. It’s either college students, business associates, clients, family, friends—somebody is always at our house. I cook a meal, and we enjoy some good wine. Maybe we make s’mores. I’m definitely challenging somebody on the Peloton for a long weekend ride.
Q
If you could change one thing about the insurance industry, what would it be?
A
We have to be better at growing and grooming talent and finding it in different pockets. If I keep recruiting people that look just like me, I’m part of the problem.
Q
What’s your favorite part of your job?
A
The best part of my job is being a part of a meeting where someone on our team has set a goal and then watching as they are achieving it. It is so rewarding to get to see people thrive.
Q
What do you think gives you your leader’s edge?
A
Well, I’m not afraid of communication, and I think a lot of people are. So I think my edge is that I will walk toward uncomfortable, honest conversations with, hopefully, curiosity and grace and understanding.
