FROM WANTING TO JOIN THE PEACE CORPS TO VICE PRESIDENT AT LOCKTON

by: Andrea Pina

JESSICA LOURDES BASS BOLANDER

VICE PRESIDENT LOCKTON DUNNING SERIES (LOCKTON COMPANIES)

Jessica Lourdes Bass Bolander comes from a family with grandparents who moved from Mexico to San Antonio, TX in search of a better future for their upcoming generations. Jessica did not only take the opportunity for a better future, she excelled at it.

SHE REMEMBERS growing up in San Antonio and being constantly reminded of the importance of hard work and good education. Her abuelito would say "a good education is going to be what makes you successful."

At some point in her life, Jess felt the urge to do something that positively impacted the world, "I wanted to do good, so I got the idea of joining the Peace Corps." But she remembers her family saying, "we did not come from Mexico for you to do that, go study, and then you will change the world."

Jessica went to Westminster College in Missouri where she did a BA in Political Science and Spanish. The latter is very important to her, as she has always profoundly identified herself as being Latina. As she went into college, her Latinism was constantly in question. "I was constantly annoyed, as people would question my Hispanic heritage because of the way I looked, and I did not like that. I am a Mexican Latina and I will always be proud of that."

Hard work has always been a part of Jess's life, always eager to do something. She got her first job at the age of 14, waitressing over the summer. "I have always been very good at sales, constantly doing more to get more." At the end of her senior year, Jess applied for a sales position in AETNA. She got the position and relocated to Miami. This was very exciting for a girl just out of college, a dream job in a dream location!

She ended up spending 7 years in Florida, where she met her husband, and started a life together. Then came the offer for a position at UnitedHealth Group as Vice President of National Accounts. "I remember moving to Dallas and everyone would just assume we were relocated because of my husband's job. It was a time when women in the workplace were not as popular as it is now." Even though working moms were still on the rise, Jessica has always been motivated by fe- male role models and Mentors.

"I couldn't have done it without female mentoring in my life. First my background of strong women. Then the moms I looked up to, seeing they could be successful and still be good mothers. I am very thankful for all the support I have gotten. Now I want to help the next generation go further."

After 6 years working at UnitedHealth Group, and having Lockton as a client, in 2018 she leaped forward and started in her current position. It has been a very good experience but also a challenging one, as COVID hit everyone. "The pandemic was especially hard on all DFW businesses. We were trying to keep people safe, but businesses open."

As for the future, one of her goals is to develop more attractive employee plans that will support her clients, especially with the current talent crisis that businesses are facing.

Her professional goals include becoming a Partner at the company. She will also continue to help advance women in the workplace. More importantly, she wants to keep teaching her kids the importance of working hard and being able to achieve their dreams.