One of the big challenges that many Canadians face is having affordable healthcare. In fact, Canada’s health care system is the developed world’s most expensive universal access health care program after adjusting for the age of the population. In 2014, 52,513 Canadians travelled beyond our borders to seek medical treatment, as the health care system could not comply with the needs and demands of a substantial number of Canadian patients.
Fortunately, our healthcare problem can be alleviated with adequate benefit plans. Recently, I interviewed Saeideh Mohajer and Dilesha Stelmach. These two women are pushing forward more affordable healthcare plans for companies and organizations to adopt. Not only that, they are also inspiring others to overcome challenges and to make positive differences in their careers. Below is a transcript of our discussion.
Who: Saeideh Mohajer, Assistant Vice President & Commercial Leader at Aon Hewit
Q1: Can you tell me a little about yourself and what inspired your chosen career path?
I currently work at Aon Hewit, a professional services firm providing a broad range of risk, retirement and health solutions. What inspired me to get into this industry is the realization of our flawed healthcare system after having gotten very sick and not having coverage for my treatment. I want to help others have access to resources when needed by designing health and benefits program, as well as retirement programs, for multi-national organizations.
Q2: What makes your work significant and how does it affect our society?
The Canadian health landscape is very dynamic and is changing every day. People are living much longer, we have thousands of baby boomers retiring every year, and new drugs are coming to the market. These types of drugs can treat illnesses as opposed to treating merely symptoms. More people need access to these drugs, which aren’t covered by provincial healthcare systems. My company provides avenues and resources to people, so they can have access to more treatments and live a longer and healthier life.
Q3: What do you think was your biggest career challenge?
The life that I’m living now is a miracle. I’d have never thought I’d be here, despite my humble beginning. When I immigrated to Canada, I didn’t speak the language, I was a minority, my parents didn’t have a lot of money. It was difficult to have access to the knowledge, resources, and role models that I needed to help me become successful.
Q4: What would you recommend for other people to make a difference?
It doesn’t really matter whether you get involved in this particular cause as it relates to healthcare, or benefits or rtirement. In general, a role model can help lead you down the right path. Whether it’s through finding a mentor, reading biographies, following influential people on social media, a role model would inspire you and encourage you to do better. Taking little steps along the way and educating yourself are also important ingredients for success.
Who: Dilesha Stelmach, Group Underwriter at Green Shield Canada
Q1: Can you tell me a little about yourself and what do you love about your career?
I’m a group underwriter at Green Shield Canada, a Canadian not-for-profit benefits specialist. As an underwriter, I analyse risk in insurance proposals, determine policy terms, and calculate premiums on the basis of actuarial, statistical and background information. I love that my job challenges me and requires me to think logically. It’s also great that I’m leaving a positive impact by making health and dental coverage more accessible.
Q2: What makes your work significant and why should more people be aware of it?
It’s important because it’s not very well known, yet there is a growing demand in this field. Being an underwriter is not something many people would consider in a career class. Many students go into mathematics thinking they will become accountants or engineers, or some other profession. However, as our population grows and ages, there’s a greater need for healthcare coverage. We need underwriters who can help price health benefits in a way that’s attractive to employers, so they can adopt the plan, and provide a safety net for their employees.
Q3: What do you think is your biggest career challenge?
There isn’t a lot of young people and women in underwriting, so it can be intimidating. One of my biggest challenges is getting a head start and earning respect in the workplace. Luckily, I found a great mentor in actuarial sciences.
Q4: What advice would you give to others when it comes to getting into STEM?
hEr vOLUTION’s website is a great place for starters. I also recommend networking and reaching out to counsellors, mentors—ask about your options. It’s important to have faith in yourself. Give things a try and don’t think that failure is the end of the road. If your math skills aren’t that strong, work at it and don’t give up. As well, regardless of your field or industry, it’s very important to have a mentor to help guide you to success.
Hear Saeideh and Dilesha speak at the Canadian Women in STEM Conference
Saeideh and Dilesha will be speaking at the Canadian Women in STEM Conference on October 14, 2017, in Toronto. They will be joining other speakers as well to share their stories and recommendations on how to close the gender gap in STEM. To learn more about this conference, visit the hEr VOLUTION event page here http://bit.ly/StemmingUp.