Employee Spotlight : Janie Ma

Interview with Janie Ma, Property & Casualty Account Executive

How would you describe your role at PS&F?

My role is to cultivate an ecosystem. I’m here to promote brand awareness and establish genuine relationships, internally and externally, amongst our local community. Everyone in Alaska has one degree of separation—everybody knows everybody. There’s nothing better than working with someone that you truly like!

What inspired you to start a career in insurance? What inspired you to specialize in management liability, and what is your favorite part about that specialization?

As far as my entry into the industry goes, I was born in the hospitality industry, with the background of my parents and family owning restaurants. I had a longtime customer who owned his own insurance agency, and after a couple of years of trying to convince me to look into the industry, I gave in. I’m so happy I did because it’s been life-changing—there have been so many opportunities that have been presented my way! With our team having various levels of knowledge and experience at PS&F, I have been able to soak up so much from them and be mentored in such a positive way. I’m constantly expanding my network, traveling, and consistently learning on a day-to-day level because nothing is ever the same in insurance.

The inspiration to specialize in management liability comes from my experience and expertise in welfare trusts, pensions, and union accounts. Many of the coverages specific to those accounts include management, fiduciary, cyber, and labor professional liability.

From your perspective, what’s something exciting/interesting going on in the industry right now? What is a piece of advice you have been giving your clients lately?

Transitions have been a massive topic in every capacity. There are transitions in people, businesses, and the evolving landscapes within cyberspace and, currently, the challenging property market. My advice is always to have a beat on the pulse and continue educating yourself. Lean on us for questions and open communication so that there can be better understanding and clear management of expectations.

You’re currently the director of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Why are you passionate about this role?

DEI is who I am to the core, both professionally and personally. It’s essential for people to be able to feel safe to be who they truly are in order for genuine productivity to take place. The PS&F DEI committee has done a really great job of providing a safe space where people are sounding boards and can feel seen. We often chat very vulnerably, and it allows people the space to grow organically so that if you don’t know about something or someone’s experience or you don’t have an understanding of why people might feel or react in certain ways, we allow the space for learning and most importantly, the room for grace to learn or understand. We encourage different perspectives and for folks to engage in dialogue so we can help start conversations, which ultimately creates the ripple effect. Fear of the unknown causes the disconnect, I think. Fear is also where a lot of division happens, so those conversations really help us to bridge that gap.

What is the most valuable advice you ever received?

There has been so much over the years, and the most recent advice that has been resonating is that it’s not about being right; it’s about delivering a message that can be received. Whether it be for your business with insurance or DEI conversations, you’re providing awareness, perspective, and tools so that you can lead people into a different space, and then they can make a decision. It’s not about trying to change anyone’s mind; it’s just about opening up different ways to think about things.

Do you volunteer with any organizations or charities?

I’m a part of BOMA, which stands for Building Owners and Managers Association here in Anchorage, and I’m also a Rotarian. We partner with the food bank and host a mobile food pantry every month. We help feed the community because food scarcity is very real, and it’s a huge honor and privilege to help others who need it. I’m also an ambassador of the Chamber of Commerce.

We talk a lot about the PS&F difference. How do you make a difference?

I offer a different lens and perspective based on my own experiences and my curiosity—I ask a lot of questions! It’s critical to have the collaboration that PS&F promotes and supports because, with everyone’s expertise, life, and professional experiences, it really offers fresh insights and allows the highest quality of work to be done.

What is something your co-workers would be surprised to learn about you?

I’ve torn my ACL three times. I’ve probably said this before, but maybe new folks can learn. I used to be super athletic and into sports growing up. I’ve actually torn both knees; the second time, on my right ACL, happened unfortunately, because the ACL was placed too vertically, and it was inevitable that it was going to snap again. I’m still out here running and lifting weights, so it hasn’t really deterred me in many ways.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love trying out new foods. Food experiences are my favorite. I love hanging out with my daughter and friends and family. I also love being active whenever I have the chance.

Tell me about your family.

I have an eight-year-old daughter, her name is Yili. It means perseverance in Chinese. I have an older brother and a handful of cousins, and we’re all like siblings to each other. I also have a double handful of nieces and nephews and my parents.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Anchorage and raised in Fairbanks. It’s almost like a blessing and a curse that everybody knows everybody. Anchorage has that small-town feel, and it’s warm, safe, and inviting, especially to raise a child.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?

Probably my daughter. She’s seriously just the sweetest little girl, and she’s so smart. I get to give myself a pat on the back, like maybe I’m doing something right if I’m leading her to be this way. It’s just been really amazing to see her grow.

What is your greatest indulgence?

Probably food and fashion. I love a good food experience where the chef of the restaurant or even our friends are curating an experience. It brings everyone together. With fashion, I will be the first to tell someone I love something they’re wearing or styling. I have so many shoes, from sneakers to flats to heels—it might be a problem.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Mulan, maybe. Representation matters, right? She was an inspiration when I was a child, and my daughter loves her, so it’s really fun to share that experience and nostalgia with her.

What is a talent you would like to have?

I would love to be able to just pick up any book and absorb its contents like osmosis!

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