First and Last Name: Emily Regal
Hometown: Janesville, WI
What Brought you to Fond du Lac: It was a larger city that was a great “middle” for quick access to GB, Milwaukee & Madison.
Place of Employment and Position: 5G Benefits – Client Renewal Advisor
What do you enjoy the most about your career? There are two things I enjoy most about my career! I really like working with employers on a benefit package that attracts and retains talent. Equally as enjoyable is meeting with employees and taking the time to explain their benefits in hopes they leave less confused about insurance than when they walked in!
What words of wisdom would you share with other YP’s in relation to career building? Be kind and respectful. Treat everyone including colleagues, vendors, employees, and competitors like you would if they were one of your clients or customers. Your vendor can become your boss, your employee can become your customer, and so on.
Who or what inspires and motivates you to be your best? The correct answer to this question is something like, “my kids inspire me”. The honest answer is being financially secure so I can enjoy all my life’s passions. And the thread that holds the two together to keep me motivated is anyone who’s ever doubted me or my abilities along the way. There’s a fair amount of silent validation that comes into play when you continue to grow and thrive long past someone’s version of your own glass ceiling.
What are 3 Characteristics and/or Strengths that make you who you are?
1. My ability to talk to absolutely anyone, (you can ask my kids how much they enjoy that when we’re out in public)
2. The sheer commitment to figuring out the correct answer to any issue or challenge, no matter what.
3. How I passionately care about those that I influence both personally and professionally.
What is your favorite thing to do in your free time/a hobby you enjoy? I have so many random things that I like to do in my free time. Generally anything involving shopping or spending money I don’t have on frivolous items brings me nothing but pure joy.
What is your favorite part about being in YPF and how has it benefited you? My favorite part about being in YPF is supporting individuals who are early in their professional career. I was a VERY young professional, and it was a lonely place with minimal support, and I would have loved to have a village of other young professionals to network and share experiences with.
What does community engagement look like for you? In my mind, community engagement is volunteering, attending, planning or being a part of anything that is designed to make a positive impact here in Fond du Lac. Whether that means shopping at local businesses, or attending Farmers Markets, food truck festivals, Casino Night, City Council meetings or anything in between, there are multiple opportunities to engage in our community!
Share a lesson you have learned or a nugget of advice with other YP’s: Go ahead and let the mistakes, challenges and frustrations upset you. Then own them, move on, and remain confident in your abilities to grow into successes that are stronger than your frustrations.
What do you love about the Fond du Lac area today and what is your hope for it’s tomorrow? I love how much opportunity there is here for both personal and professional development. There are so many people here who are passionate about growing and improving the city in various ways. Once you start getting involved in Fond du Lac’s future, and seeing things develop and change in a positive way, it’s hard to stop!
