Age:
Older than I look (hopefully).
Job description:
Executive responsibility for legal operations, compliance, government relations, customer communications, and claims.
Years lived in Columbia/Mid-Missouri:
18.
Original hometown:
Hale, Missouri, home of the Cardinals.
Education:
BA in political science from Truman State (go Bulldogs); JD from MU (go Tigers).
Favorite volunteer/community activity:
My passion is international mission work. I have served with four mission teams in South Africa and Mozambique and am planning my fifth trip.
Professional background:
Twenty years in private law practice in Kansas City. My career at Shelter started 15 years ago as general counsel.
A favorite recent project:
Assuming oversight of Shelter’s claims operations and learning the ropes. Taking on a new responsibility like this requires a careful balance between learning the operation, appreciating what is working, and knowing how you can affect meaningful change where needed.
A Columbia businessperson I admire and why:
Hard to list just one, but I would say Peter Stiepleman — he really does run a “business.” He’s incredibly passionate, hardworking, loyal, smart, courageous, pragmatic, and funny. He has a tough constituency and a tough job, and we are lucky to have him.
If I weren’t doing this for a living, I would:
Escape from the legal world and do something where I work with my hands: cooking, baking, farming, gardening, working in a nursery, landscaping, woodworking, working with my husband in his construction company . . .
Accomplishment I’m most proud of:
Transitioning to a corporate environment from private practice after 20 years, including successfully moving into many non-lawyer roles.
The next challenge facing my industry:
Technology, technology, technology.
What people should know about this profession:
Despite the lawyer jokes, there are many wonderful attorneys who make our world a better place, whether it’s by doing community service, helping a family through a difficult time, serving in a leadership role on a nonprofit board, or working in any number of other worthwhile roles.
Biggest lesson learned in business:
Listen to your employees.
Why I’m passionate about my job:
In the role I have, I support and help people do their job, oftentimes as they grow and learn. It’s very rewarding to see others succeed because you’ve been able to mentor and coach them along the way.
My next professional goal:
I want to create strong business processes in my company that transcend my tenure, and I want to continue developing the amazing talent we have in the next generation of leaders. This includes strategic succession planning so I feel good about retiring and moving on!
Greatest strength:
My work ethic — thanks to my parents, who were dairy farmers.
Greatest weakness:
Chocolate.
How would you like to impact the Columbia community?
Provide leadership in whatever form best contributes to a healthy, vibrant place for every single person who lives here.
Why I’m passionate about my company:
It is a family-oriented company where our values start with doing the right thing. Shelter is a model corporate citizen.
What I do for fun:
I am an avid sports fan (Tigers, Royals, Chiefs, Cardinals, NASCAR, etc.). I also love golf, travel, and sipping on a great glass of wine with friends.
Family:
My husband, Blaine Einspahr, who owns and operates Einspahr Construction, and stepdaughters Ashley and Kristan.
Favorite place in Columbia:
Love the vibrant downtown that we have — we are so lucky it has remained a strong part of our community.
Most people don’t know that:
I was the center on my high school basketball team. We were small, but mighty.
