Happy Friday! For this edition of the Employee Spotlight Series, we are featuring Laura Nagy. Laura is an Audit Manager and has been a dedicated team member at SpendMend for almost 21 years! Laura has spent most of her professional career journey with SpendMend, and looks forward to working with great people and reaching company goals in the future. While it was inspiring to hear Laura’s drive and enthusiasm for her work, it was great to learn more about her life outside of SpendMend! A fun fact about Laura is that one of her hobbies is ballroom dancing! She has always loved dancing since she was a kid. However, her interest in taking lessons stemmed from the TV shows like Dancing With the Stars (If only we could all dance like Derek Hough!). She learned various styles of dance – from the Cha Cha to the Tango. Despite the Waltz being the most challenging for her to learn, it has become one of her favorites! Another fun hobby Laura enjoys is watching movies and TV shows. She currently is watching the TV show series, The Chosen, and recommends it to all! If you are looking to add to your “watch list,” Laura is the one to ask! The rest of Laura’s free time is spent with her 10-year old daughter, Cadence. They love to learn about how to make things with DIY activities. Make sure to read the interview below to learn more about their most recent project. Laura and Cadence are quite the creative duo!
Laura does a wonderful job as an Audit Manager and her work doesn’t go unnoticed. We asked Jeremy Malin, VP of Operations, about Laura and he said, “When I think of Laura, I think of an associate that hits all the “high notes” of an ideal SpendMender. She’s committed to hitting goals, driven to exceed expectations and always positions the team first mentality. Now, you combine that with the multitude of experience stretching throughout all operational roles within the Profit Recovery Service line, you gain tremendous value for her clients experience on a daily basis.” We are so grateful to have Laura a part of the SpendMend Team. Thank you for always striving for success, Laura!
Interview with Laura:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Audit Manager
How long have you been with SpendMend?
20 years, 21 years in August 2021
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
I was hired in when we were Business Strategy, and I learned about that company though a close friend.
What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Flexible, Rewarding, Challenging
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I like the people I work with, and the chance to contribute to our company goals and/or successes.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
My jobs were pretty normal, i.e. waitress, and worked in the AP department at a book store and Ferris State University. Most of my career life has been with SpendMend.
What is one fun fact about you?
I love to dance! I took lessons in ballroom dancing for months and was going to start competing in competitions. I had to press pause on that hobby though because I found out soon after that I would be having a daughter
What sparked your interest in taking dance lessons? Do you have a style of ballroom dance that you find more challenging? A style you most enjoy?
I’ve always enjoyed dancing as a whole since I was a kid. I often asked my mom if I came dancing out of the womb. However, I didn’t start getting interested into the Latin/Ballroom dancing until I started watching some of the shows on TV, i.e. Dancing With The Stars, etc. When I started taking lessons, my interest was mainly on the Latin dances. I had always wanted to learn how to Salsa, Cha Cha and Samba. However, once I got into all of the different types of Latin and Ballroom styles, I actually fell in love with the Tango and the Waltz. The most challenging style of ballroom dance for me was the Waltz. Your feet have to constantly move in squares and effortlessly, as if you’re not even thinking about it!
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
I don’t listen to anything during work because it makes it harder for me to concentrate. But I love all kinds of music.
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
Currently, I do not. I’m a single parent so taking care of my daughter, which takes up most of my free time. However I do like to go to the beach and watch movies.
Any fun facts or stories you would like to share about your daughter?
Cadence is 10 years old, and keeps me busy with a lot of DIY projects. She is always watching videos so she can learn how to make things. Most recently, she was on a mission to make her own spice. She found some tomato leaves outside, dried them and put them in a bottle with some other ingredients to create her on concoction. Not sure if it will make it to market but she loves to try!
What types of movies do you like? Have you seen a good movie recently?
I love all types of movies and/or TV shows. I saw A Quiet Place 2, and thought it was really good. It’s almost as good as the first movie. However, a TV show that has been monopolizing a lot of my time lately is The Chosen. It is such a great series, and I would encourage everyone to watch it. The actors are great!
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
When I was an auditor and worked with suppliers on a regular basis, there were several times that the contacts thanked me for assisting with getting the accounts reconciled. Some of the suppliers were ready to put a client on account hold, but by working together with the client, we were able to avoid that type of situation. Recently due to our audit, we had a call with a difficult vendor and the client together and were able to work out some root causes between the client and that vendor.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
After a handful of QBRs that I have presented, the clients have said “Nice Job”, “Thank you for all of your effort”, “This information is very helpful”. At the end of the day, we want to make a difference with our clients, and stand out as a value-add partner with them.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
I like the different ways we can help the industry with regards to highlighting gaps in processes and being able to recommend actions to stop financial leakage.
What is your favorite Recovery Room Activity (remote)?
I love to have dinner with friends and watch movies with my daughter, Cadence.
What has been your experience with SpendMend community service events?
I have donated to various charities that SpendMend has sponsored and helped organize fundraising ideas for our pod for certain company events. For one of the My pod hosted a breakfast. They really came together to put on a nice spread, and we made enough for a decent contribution!
What is your favorite in house event? (specific potluck, chili cook-off, bring your kid to work day, etc.)
I really enjoyed the time we got to go to the Griffins game together.
What is your favorite part about the SpendMend Griffins game event?
I loved hanging out with the SpendMend Team and it was something different. As a company, we had never gone to a Griffins game before, and I’ve been here for almost 21 years. Plus since it was downtown, we got to continue to hang out as a group afterwards. It’s nice seeing co-workers outside of the work environment and getting to know them on a personal level.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
Yes, I would like to give a shout out to Josh Kiel. He has always believed in my abilities when I was a supervisor, and encouraged me to become a manager, which has been very fulfilling for me.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
I would say that being able to adapt to ever-changing processes is a good trait to have.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
It’s hard to just pick one. To date my proudest accomplishment is living up to expectations that upper management has for me as a manager and being able to contribute to the company goals. I have a strong pod, and we often lead in revenue across the company.
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
I look forward to continuing to work with a great group of people and continuing to do my part to hit our goals. Yes, I am goal oriented and/or driven as you can probably tell from some of my previous answers.