“Dealing with people who are overwhelmed by life-altering situations never gets easier, but having an opportunity to help is what I love most about my career,” says 27-year-old Charis Haynes, team leader of local and overseas claims at BF&M. “When a customer leaves a little less stressed with a bit more hope, I feel a personal sense of relief and satisfaction knowing I had a hand in that.” With such compassion and resolve at her core, Haynes has worked her way up through her company since first starting as a temp, and loves being part of a dynamic work environment that constantly challenges her to learn and develop. Stressing the importance of hard work and taking pride in your job, she adds that personal and academic struggles helped make her the strong-willed person she is today. “I worked extremely hard and persevered, earning every degree I have. This was not a walk in the park, but I did it, and it has paid off.”
Haynes’s immediate ambition is to complete her LOMA insurance designation for continuing education purposes, a step that would contribute to her long-term goal of securing a senior management position at BF&M. Acknowledging the importance of staying relevant in a changing market, she advises that those going into insurance always be willing to develop themselves personally and academically. “I would recommend joining groups such as the BII (Bermuda Insurance Institute). Attending industry events gives you the opportunity to network and find mentors,” she says. For her ability to stay relevant and push herself to the maximum, Haynes credits her late father, Bishop P.L. Christopher Haynes, who always gave her good advice when it came to her career. “I learned so much from him—he was truly my inspiration,” she reflects.
