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Career Roadmap

Tonia's work combines: Business, Education, and Learning / Being Challenged

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Day In The Life

Second Vice President, Claim Operations

I lead the Claim Center Operations team that supports Workers Compensation, General Liability and Property.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

    Warren G. Harding

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Education, General

    Miami University-Oxford

  • Graduate Degree

    Education, General

    Miami University-Oxford

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Claims Adjusters, Examiners, & Investigators:

Bachelor's Degree: Business

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

I've taken a lot of twists and turns

  • 1.

    Attended Miami University on basketball scholarship. Graduated with a degree in Education.

  • 2.

    Joined the US Army after obtaining a degree. Could not find a teaching position and did not want to move back to my hometown. One of the best decisions of my life.

  • 3.

    Served for 12 years in the Army and learned skills that have allowed me to be successful in life and my career. Was a SFC (E7) when I left the Army was responsible for a platoon of 40 soldiers.

  • 4.

    Joined Travelers as a property outside claim rep trainee. Started a new career journey as a 39-year-old trainee.

  • 5.

    Joined the Travelers Catastrophe Response Team and quickly became a unit manager. After just over two years, was promoted to associate manager leading three units in the Midwest.

  • 6.

    Became the Property FPLM in California leading a team of 60 Claim professionals responsible for handling claims in California.

  • 7.

    Transitioned to Claim University as a director of learning solutions responsible for the development of training materials for Claim. Was able to leverage my education degree ... finally.

  • 8.

    Currently the 2VP of operations in Diamond Bar. Responsible for a team of 30 who support the Claim Center. Full circle returning to a leadership role that is challenging and rewarding.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Society in general:

    You will never accomplish that goal; you are not smart enough and do not fit in.

  • How I responded:

    Surrounded myself with people who believed in me and supported any goal I set. I continue to fight the noise but the voices are much softer now.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • Once you become comfortable with yourself; you become more willing to stop covering and focus on being the best you possible. Once you do that the world becomes a much easier place to navigate.