40 Under Forty: Heather Ball

Corporate Benefit Account Manager, Benefit Development Group

Company location: Worcester

Residence: Worcester

Career highlights: I graduated from Clark University in 2001 and then worked at Fallon Community Health Plan as an account coordinator. In 2004, I received FCHP’s Employee of the Year award and was promoted to account manager. In 2006, I made the transition from working for a carrier to working for an insurance broker at Benefit Development Group. I currently work with BDG’s business clients to develop comprehensive benefit strategies that provide cost effective quality benefits for their employees. I also keep our clients up to date on changes to regulatory affairs and health-care reform.

Community involvement: I currently serve on the board of directors for Girls Inc. and am a fund committee co-chair in 2010. We offer research-based programs to girls in grades K-12 that provide opportunities for girls to build leadership skills and master physical, intellectual and social challenges. I’m a member of the Junior League of Worcester and currently co-chair our Done-in-a-Day Program, which gives women the opportunity to give back to the Worcester community by volunteering for one day projects at local nonprofit agencies. I’m on the Worcester Historical Museum’s Harvey Ball Committee. The Harvey Ball Smile Award honors my grandfather, creator of the world-famous smiley face.

Biggest success: My biggest success is making the transition from a carrier representative to an insurance broker. I’ve been able to broaden my area of expertise to include multiple carriers and multiple lines of insurance. While understanding health-care reform has proven to be a great challenge, I view having my clients understand and appreciate the complexity of health care as a great success.

Mentors: No one has been a greater mentor to me than my mother, Roxanne. She has given me advice when I’ve asked for it, boosted my confidence when I needed it and helped me work through any mistakes. She has been a wise mentor but also a supportive mother and great friend.