Mary C. Ritter: Navigating A Sea Of Change
Ritter
Senior vice president of strategy and communications, Fallon Community Health Plan, Worcester
Who is your most influential role model, and why?
My role model is my mom, Barbara Craig. When I was young, it seemed like she was everywhere. She taught school in some of Boston's toughest neighborhoods; she attended school and sporting events for me and my five brothers; she took us to the library and was essentially the epicenter of all family activities. Her influence extended outside too. I remember visiting her at school when I was in college, being moved by the depth of her relationship with her students. But what really stuck with me was how every one of her colleagues respected her. Her contemporaries, as well as younger teachers, went out of their way to tell me that she was a friend, mentor and role model for them.
What has helped you achieve success in your career?
I think two really simple concepts have helped me in my career: common sense and connectivity. Success in the workplace is often based on problem solving. Common sense is really the best skill — better than any formal analytical methodologies and technology skills — for solving problems. It's all about applying common sense to break a problem down to the fundamental issues and identify practical, common sense solutions.
I also think it's important to connect with colleagues. Listening to what colleagues have to say, in and outside of work, forms connections that are productive for everyone.
What's your primary motivator; or if there is one thing that makes you tick or ignites a passion within you, what is it?
"Doing the right thing when nobody's looking." If asked, I think (and hope) our three sons would cite this as the life lesson they've learned from my husband, and I've taken it to heart as well. I try to keep it top of mind in professional, community-based and personal situations. Shortly after I started to work at FCHP, I was in a meeting to discuss rebranding the company. Some consultants were asking what it meant to work at FCHP. I listened as a large group of colleagues consistently talked about doing the right thing for our members, providing support to our community, demonstrating compassion, and collaborating and working as teams. Initially I was a little cynical; no one in the room talked about operating margin or other financial measures. Having spent the first 20 years of my career in large private or publicly traded companies, this was a real change. I wondered how long it would take for someone to get the financial aspect. And then it hit me: They wouldn't. It's critical we maintain healthy financials, but FCHP really is about doing what's right for our members and our communities.
How does your organization give back to the community, and what role have you played in those efforts?
Fallon Community Health Plan's mission is making our communities healthy and I'm proud to have overall responsibility for the company's community relations program. Our small but mighty team manages several programs so that FCHP can give back to all the communities we serve.
When the stress level gets too high, how do you ease the pressure?
My go-to stress buster is to exert myself! Whether it's a workout … or a hike up Mount Wachusett, exercise is a guaranteed way to wind down and ease the pressure. If I can't get outside, I try to clear my head by prioritizing what needs to get done.
How have you tried to balance your career and your personal life? Please give an example or two.
I've been very lucky in my career to maintain a certain amount of flexibility in my schedule. My husband and I have always tried to attend our kids' sporting- and school-related events. What's really important though, is to be "in the moment" when it matters. We try to maintain a normal dinner schedule, eating together as a family as often as possible. We use the time to listen to what's going on in everyone's world.
Read more
Sharyn Rice: Driven By A Desire To Motivate
Jeannie Hebert: Thriving On Challenge
Debbie Guiney: Drawing Strength From Others
Meet The Judges Of The 2012 Outstanding Women In Business Awards
Register For WBJ’s Outstanding Women In Business Luncheon
Candi Wolfe: Thinking Differently Leads To Success
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments