The HEMIC Family of Companies

HEMIC's Senior Vice President, Tammy Teixeira, spoke with Pacific Edge magazine for their "Women in Business" issue in May 2022

Describe yourself in 3 words:
Charismatic, driven, and passionate. I am inspired by people and purpose. My family, friends, and the future leaders of our industry are important to me, and I will go the extra mile for them.

How has your career shifted from the 2020 pandemic impact?
The pandemic has impacted workers and workplaces everywhere. The biggest shift for me has been in the ways we addressed the needs of our customers and our staff. For example, we developed programs to help ease the strain on our policyholders and the increasing, evolving cyber risks of their digital workplaces. With our employees, we were purposeful in creating flexible working arrangements and safety protocols for our offices. There has been a sizable impact on all of us, but I’m proud of how we have adapted and continued to move forward.

How do you manage stress and self-care?
There is nothing better than spending time with family and the people you love to help you unplug and recharge. I so enjoy my family’s many weekend gatherings where multiple generations come together for a great time, incredible food, a few games of cribbage, and many other activities. When searching for peace and serenity, I turn to the ocean and outrigger paddling. A long-distance run on the water will provide me with a full dose of R&R.

What are your favorite virtual tools to use currently in business?
Microsoft’s OneDrive, OneNote and Teams have been game changers for me in terms of staying connected with business partners and staff.

Did you always want this career track?
I was just a college student at HPU when I began working part-time as a workers’ compensation claims adjuster. After seeing the impact that I could have on people’s lives, I was inspired to continue in this career path. From my beginnings in claims, I eventually moved into the business side of insurance where I focused on developing programs to help our community succeed through safety, risk management and operations, and most recently, with COVID relief programs.

If you could look into a crystal ball, what would you want to know about your future?
That what I have done has made a difference, and that it will support the generations to come. That I have helped to ensure the next generation will continue to serve the insurance industry with strong morals, good ethics, compassion, and integrity.

What are two of your proudest accomplishments of your career?
I’ve dedicated my career to helping Hawai‘i run safe and productive workplaces, and my personal satisfaction comes from helping businesses and workers thrive. I’m proud to have spearheaded an innovative workers’ compensation program to benefit Hawai‘i’s union workers. This program was a progressive departure from the traditional workers’ compensation system, designed to enhance workplace safety, provide effective medical care for injured workers, and help make contractors more competitive. At the signing ceremony commemorating the agreement, the Governor at the time referred to it as a “big deal” that would provide distinct advantages in the years that followed—and it has. It was a complex undertaking, but so gratifying to see it come to fruition and make a real difference for labor and management.

I’m also proud of developing young professionals and industry leaders—empowering them, mentoring, and providing opportunity. My heart swells with pride when I hear from former employees and mentees about their growth and promotions, and I am so proud to see their impact in the industry.

I’ve always believed that investing in our people is one of the best investments a company can make. At HEMIC, we’ve focused on creating training and development programs that help our staff reach their full potential. It has been extremely rewarding.

How do you find a job that you will love?
To find a job that excites and inspires you, be persistent in your search. Gather the insight of people in your field of interest or who are doing things that interest you. Be sure to research the company you are interested in working for. Don’t feel like you need to compromise your own values for a job. Attend industry events, read trade publications, watch TED videos, volunteer. Seek to educate yourself and find ways to gain experience. The path to a rewarding, successful career is not always linear or straightforward. Don’t be afraid to try things or to make changes. And don’t give up until you find the right fit!

Biggest sacrifice for my career.
The biggest sacrifice for my career has been time. There are times when I have missed important family events, working long hours and weekends. It can be hard to balance work and family life, but it is important to try to find a balance that works for you.

It’s important to remember that our careers are not static—they evolve over time. There may be times when you have to make sacrifices, and there may be times when you can relax a bit more. The key is flexibility, knowing your goals, and being open to change.

If you could tell your younger self some advice, what would it be?
To be intentional, purposeful, and strategic. To be focused and to make everything count. When your efforts are thoughtful and cohesive, you can achieve your goals and your vision. I would tell her to look for ways to be more efficient, because we did things the long way in the old days!