Meet Keke! She serves on our Client Care team taking care of our healthcare partners everyday. She started on our Vendor Care team initially and stepped into Client Care leadership a few years ago. Keke’s ability to balance being an excellent leader at ProviderTrust while raising her family is inspiring, all while sharing her love of music and theater with us. We are so lucky to work with Keke at ProviderTrust for the last four years.
Tell us about yourself and what you do for ProviderTrust.
I have been working with PT for almost 4 years, and I am currently serving as the Client Care Team Lead.
What does smarter and safer healthcare mean to you?
American women die in childbirth at a higher rate than in any other developed country, while non-Hispanic Black women are more than 3 times more likely to have a maternal death than white women in the United States. I have a 5 month-old son, therefore I know the fear first hand of being a pregnant black woman in America. The work that we do for our clients will help to remove the bad actors from our healthcare system so that people that look like me will be safe
What has your professional journey looked like over the years?
In college, I received my Bachelors of Arts in Theater. I have utilized this theatrical training throughout my career by accessing my creative abilities in problem solving. By collaborating with others for plays, my communication skills have increased, which is key in a team-focused environment. My first job out of college was a sales representative with AT&T. I took a brief hiatus from corporate America to build my family as a full-time stay-at-home mom. After 4 fulfilling years, I re-entered the workforce by securing a position for a company that was a payment processor and issuer of fleet fuel cards, corporate spend cards, paperless payroll cards, virtual payments, and trucking permits. This is where I strengthened my skills in implementation and training of new accounts. I also managed a portfolio of accounts for our midmarket and enterprise client relationships. I then started working for a top international wealth management firm where I was responsible for building and managing relationships with those who supply products and services to the firm and ensured that vendors meet or exceed their contractual obligations. In 2018, I began working for ProviderTrust as the Vendor Care Team Lead and then moved over to our client care team. I have been given the opportunity to hire and lead a team of people to help support our clients at ProviderTrust. It is my hope that I help grow this team with the experience and skills that I have learned throughout my career.
How have womens’ positions in the workforce changed since you began your career?
Over the past half century, the role of women in the workplace has been transformed. Women have increased their labor force participation, seen their wages increase, and made inroads into occupations that were previously dominated by men. Even so, women still lag behind in several key leadership realms. Women of color even more so. I haven’t seen a lot of people that look like me in positions of leadership. It is my hope that we continue to make strides in creating a more inclusive workplace.
Who is a woman that has inspired you personally?
My mom is my greatest inspiration. She is a hard worker and I have learned a lot from her. My mom taught me how to be grateful and to value my character. She taught me how to be patient and resilient in times of hardships and difficulties. She is one of the greatest leaders I know. My mom was a stay-at-home mom, but she was always creating opportunities for helping others grow and succeed. She is an entrepreneur and creator of many mentoring programs where she has been awarded grants to serve the community.
Looking back at your career, where has a woman in leadership inspired you?
I get the pleasure of working with Rachael Black everyday. She is a woman in leadership that has inspired me. I love her mission for working moms. She not only wants us to have a seat at the table, but she wants us to have a voice that is heard.
How have you helped fellow women advance in the workplace?
I am in a position to give opportunities to women of color and mothers. I am intentional in my pursuit of hiring qualified candidates that may not be given a chance due to either race, gender, or lack of experience in a software based company.
What words of wisdom would you offer to young women looking to further their careers?
Most women have the superpower of influence and need to use it wisely.
My favorite quote by Maya Angelou: “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
In my words, “Be you, Boo… can’t nobody beat you being you.”
