2022 Trusted Advisers Insurance Professional: Mindy Pippin

Breaking down the often convoluted world of insurance is Mindy Pippin’s driving goal when working with clients.

“Simplifying the complex industry of insurance allows my clients to focus on what they do best: run their business,” says Pippin, a risk adviser for Ollis/Akers/Arney.

Pippin’s specialty is working with small-business owners to reduce risk. She puts together packages for employee benefits, commercial insurance, human resources, and employee training and wellness – all solutions aimed at protecting businesses and employees. Arranging comprehensive package options for clients saves them time they would otherwise have to spend analyzing the choices themselves.

Currently, two of the biggest challenges for Pippin’s clients are attracting and retaining skilled employees. Pippin plays by the numbers to help clients overcome their obstacles. She uses benchmarking data to compile competitive employee benefits packages for clients – often early in their hiring processes.

“I hear more and more that new-hire candidates are asking to see the employee benefit package before accepting the employment offer,” Pippin says.

While her expertise is the insurance industry, Pippin is also able to converse with clients about trends specific to their industries and the Springfield workforce. Additionally, she offers employee training services and online employee portals. Online portals allow employees to enroll and receive access to benefits at any time, without the assistance of the human resources department or an administrator.

If business owners need more assistance with human resources, Pippin utilizes her network. She often connects owners to human resources professionals to answer additional questions.

As a result, Pippin’s annual premiums sold increased to nearly $4 million from $3.6 million between 2019 and 2021. In the same time, she went from managing 75 clients to 99 clients.

One of Pippin’s clients is Grooms Office Environments. Chief Financial Officer Toyia Adams says the company made the switch to working with Pippin after a nearly 30-year relationship working with another insurance company.

“For her to have won us over in making a change speaks volumes about her personally,” Adams says.

Pippin’s solutions demonstrate that she has the company’s best interest in mind. Adams says Grooms considers Pippin to be more than an adviser, calling her a “dear friend.”

To stay up to date on industry knowledge and legislation, Pippin is a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters and became designated as an accredited cyber risk adviser.

When she’s not working, Pippin is on the run – for a cause. She helps organize two or three local 5K fundraisers a year to benefit various causes, from youth sports organizations to educational scholarships.