Hi everyone! For this Employee Spotlight edition, we are highlighting Tracy Reddinger. Tracy is Auditor and has been a part of the SpendMend team for almost 17 years! She describes SpendMend in three words as, “trail-blazing, inclusive, and robust.” Tracy is from Toms River, New Jersey, close to the Jersey Shore! She went to the University of Washington where she completed a double major in Economics and Finance. fun fact about Tracy is that before she started working at SpendMend, she interned with Arista Records in New York City! Tracy was a Marketing Intern and she was responsible for creating press and media kits, to preparing for artist meet and greets. Her favorite part of the job was meeting some of her favorite artists like the Notorious BIG and the Lox! Be sure to check the rest of the interview to learn more about Tracy’s intern experience! Outside of work, Tracy enjoys doing yoga in her free time. She started yoga about 15 years ago as a way to work out, however, after learning about yogi philosophy it became more than just a routine. Tracy became a yoga teacher so she could share her experience with others and help those who were struggling. What Tracy loves the most about practicing and teaching yoga is the curiosity behind it all. If you are interested in practicing yoga, reach out to Tracy! Another fun fact about Tracy is that she enjoys watching anime in her free time. Her favorite anime at the moment is Demon Slayer! She states, “It reminds me of my kids and pulls at my heartstrings. It is beautifully animated and the fight scenes are top-tier.” Tracy recommends Attack on Titan if you enjoy saga-type stories, and Chainsaw Main if you like fight scenes! Thanks for the recommendations, Tracy! Currently adding it to our watch list!
Tracy is a valued member of the SpendMend team and has been spoken highly about by her fellow team member! Dirk Lindquist, Shared Services Supervisor, said, “Tracy works with several difficult vendors and does very well getting them to assist her. Her ability to work through difficult credits leads to claims the company would not otherwise see from the vendors she works with. I have enjoyed working with Tracy these past few years and she is a great person to have on the SpendMend team.” Thank you for always striving for success, Tracy!
Interview with Tracy:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Auditor
How long have you been with SpendMend?
17 years in May
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
I answered a job listing on Monster. Showing my age now, lol
What 3 words would you use to describe SpendMend?
trail-blazing, inclusive, robust
Where are you located/from?
I live in Toms River, NJ close to the beautiful Jersey Shore!
Where did you go for higher education? What did you study and why?
I went to the University of Washington and completed a double major in Economics and Finance. I went into the field as I knew I will always be able to make a living and growing up with a mother who was a Controller, I figured it was a good fit.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I feel like I contribute to a common goal in an industry that serves communities while being able to also achieve a work-life balance.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I was an intern at Arista records in NYC. I got to meet a lot of famous people and work in the hustle of NYC
What were your responsibilities as an intern at Arista records?
I was a marketing intern at Arista Records and was responsible for administrative work for the entire department which included creating press and media kits, making uncountable copies of new videos onto VHS tapes (yes, VHS tapes), reviewing and tracking how certain artists new singles were doing using Soundscan reports, made sure everything was presentable and food was fresh and good for new artist meet and greets and doing general errand work for the department.
What was the most interesting part of this job?
My favorite part of the job was meeting some of my favorite artists like the Notorious BIG and the Lox.
What was the most challenging?
The most challenging part of the job was reviewing the SoundScan reports, they were due first thing in the morning every other day and they were lengthy and hard to read because they were printed in such a small font.
What is one fun fact about you?
I am a yoga teacher and absolutely love crystals and the moon
When did your love for yoga start? Why did you become a teacher?
My love for yoga began 15 years ago when I needed to find a way to work out but because I traveled a lot at the time for work, I needed something I could do in the hotel room. It started as just an exercise but after learning about yogic philosophy, I was hooked on not only the routine but the intentions behind it. Yoga brought me to realize that everything we need, we already have….we just have to tap into it. After having my daughter in 2016, I suffered from postpartum depression and it was my yoga practice that pulled me out of that space and came to find love in all its facets. I wanted to share that with others and help those suffering in silence as I was, so I decided to become a Yoga Teacher.
What is your favorite part about practicing or teaching yoga?
What I love about teaching and practicing yoga the most is the curiosity about it all. It’s when we are curious that we are able to find new ways of speaking, new ways of doing, and new ways of being. When we are curious, we are able to be objective to find other paths that appear when other ones close off. When we are curious we are more aware of ourselves, our surroundings, and our perceptions and it is there where we can control our output into the world, we can choose to respond rather than react.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
I listen to a lot of RnB and hip-hop. If I am not listening to music, I’m watching anime
What are your favorite animes to watch and why? What ones are you currently watching? What animes would you recommend?
My favorite anime at the moment is Demon Slayer. It reminds me of my kids and pulls at my heartstrings. It is beautifully animated and the fight scenes are top-tier. I am currently watching Naruto, only because it is a staple of the genre and I have yet to see it in its entirety. I would highly recommend Attack on Titan if you enjoy epic saga-type stories and Chainsaw Man if you like fight scenes. One Punch Man was particularly funny and I have that on repeat a lot
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
spending time with my kids or teaching yoga, or a combination of both
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
I have a wonderful working relationship with WL Gore, which was once a vendor that would not work with us at all. After I was introduced to a key contact there, Trina, we were able to come up with a working process that works for both SpendMend and Gore. We have been working well with each other for going on 6 years now.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
When I was a Supervisor, I was told by the management of Stanford that my attention to detail as well as my ability to convey findings on a real-time basis was an asset
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
that the end result is helping the individual patient and their families.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
I always send a shout-out to Cindy Allen, the best Supervisor, and Manager. Her ability to multitask but make you feel that any issue you bring to her is the most important issue she is addressing is something I truly appreciate.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
Ask questions, everyone is so eager to cross-train and help out.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
I really enjoyed and was proud of the work I did in the tax department, setting up the item master at the time as well as the successful recoveries that came with that work when we first were starting that area of recovery.
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
Looking to see how successful we become and how we are already a leader in our industry.