We recently spoke with our new Vice President of Sales & Business Development Christy DeFrain about her decades of employee benefits experience and why she joined SmartPath's mission to provide objective financial guidance to hard-working Americans who need it more than ever. Let's dive in!

### First, tell us a little about your background and how you got to where you are today. I started my career in employee benefits spending five years on the carrier side specializing in ancillary benefits. I moved into a benefits consulting role with Mercer in 2006. At Mercer, I was focused on bringing in new clients and working closely with them to build out their benefits package. Times were good, then the financial crisis of 2007-2008 hit and employers were leery about spending money. It was similar to the current climate, and we had to uncover existing budgets to fund programs instead of adding new spending lines. During the period of my career, I gained an appreciation for the fragile nature of America’s financial position through the lens of employer impact. I experienced substantial growth in my professional career and worked to refine my leadership skills. Over the last six years at Purchasing Power, the industry movement to help hard-working Americans keep more of the money they make really started to hit home and drive my career goals. ### Let’s talk about what you’re known for. I think I am known as a consistent and fair leader. I’ve worked hard to hone my leadership skills to ensure that my team feels comfortable and can grow in their individual path. I am also probably known as an open book, which has created relationships in which people feel comfortable sharing their stories with me. Finally, I am probably known for being an all-things “Kansas City” cheerleader. I love my hometown and the people I have the privilege of sharing it with. ### Tell us about a time when you felt fulfilled in your role? When did you first become interested in Employee Wellness? Growing the distribution channel at Purchasing Power was a very fulfilling experience. As a team, we worked hard to focus on individual strengths and skill sets, as opposed to trying to fit people into predefined buckets. It was rewarding to see collaborative growth in real terms versus theory. While I have always been passionate about employee total wellness, this role fueled my thirst for broad-based financial wellness. America simply does not have access to solid financial counseling and is a victim of society's limited education and predisposition around the definition of financial success. ### How do you think financial wellness fits into the bigger employee health picture? Financial, mental and physical health are the three pinnacles that should be considered for employee health. For a long time, HR and benefits professionals only considered physical health when looking at programs to offer their employees. Starting in the late 1990s, radical reform in the mental health space began to define how medical carriers include and cover mental health programs to ensure employee access to treatment. I believe financial health is the missing link to a standard benefits program. We know there is a correlation between financial stress and increased physical and mental ailments. These three pinnacles are aligned and should be addressed as a whole to provide a comprehensive benefits program to employees. The silver lining of a pandemic that financially impacts the entire country is that it illuminates the urgent need for financial wellness. On the horizon, we will see more health-related claims, especially if we don’t do something to address financial stress. Financial stress may not be a driver behind disease, but there is absolutely a correlation. ### How has COVID-19 and recent events impacted the current wellness climate? What advantages or disadvantages have spurred from this? I hate to imply that COVID-19 has any advantages, but I truly believe that pre-coronavirus, we had the luxury of sweeping the financial woes of Americans under the rug. Employers often had to be convinced that the problem exists and that they could be a part of the solution. The clear disadvantage is that the pandemic has amplified the problem 100-fold. Americans are truly struggling. Coronovirus has devastated our economy and millions of workers across the US have lost their jobs. In April alone, we lost more than 20 million jobs in the United States. ### What’s a problem you’re trying to solve? I am not sure that I’m trying to solve one particular problem. I recognize that our society values spending. The health of our economy is determined by spending. But we don't have a national measurement of savings, so we can’t use that metric to determine our financial health as a country. It's a tough nut to crack. That said, I think we lack solid, consistent and uncomplicated financial education in the United States. I think financial education and resources have traditionally been reserved for the wealthy, and I don’t want to stand on the sidelines. [I joined SmartPath to support the movement and make an impact.](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smartpath-announces-industry-veteran-christy-defrain-as-vice-president-of-sales--business-development-301072563.html) ### What are the top questions you’re asked by HR buyers? By brokers? I think the biggest question I hear is, how do I integrate financial wellness into broader employer offerings? Because this benefit is gaining momentum and popularity, certainly with the more progressive employers, I think ensuring that financial wellness integration within the existing benefits program is consistent and seamless is the key to success. ### What’s your workspace setup like? I work in about four or five places around my house. I carry around an old-school legal pad, a pen and my laptop and find that a change of scenery is more inspiring for me. ### What are you currently reading or listening to, or what do you recommend? I love all things Brene Brown. You can’t go wrong reading any of her books or listening to her speak. I love her message around vulnerability because it really disarms, allows for deep relationships and builds trust. ### What’s the best advice you’ve ever received? I think the best advice I have ever received was to trust your gut. Although I’ve learned big lessons when I have not followed that advice, it’s never let me down.

Interview with SmartPath COO, Stuart Lawder

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