#TeamAlegeus wants to learn more about you. Tell us a bit about yourself and your role here at Alegeus.
I’m Shanica Allen-Farrell, and I’ve been on the Alegeus journey for over seven years, currently serving as a Partner Experience Manager II. I celebrate being part of a company where I have been able to grow and acquire new skills. What I most enjoy is working interdepartmentally with several different departments. The nature of my role grants me the opportunity to engage with different aspects of our product, services, and – the best part – our team members.
What initially attracted you to Alegeus and more importantly, what keeps you coming back for more?
Since Alegeus is a white-label company, I wasn’t familiar with the business or product. However, the excitement and energy I felt from my very first conversation with an HR associate had me hooked. Then, during a series of interviews with various team members, I noticed they all shared the same genuine enthusiasm for the company. Alegeus struck me as a company that was employee-centric and one that truly cared about the end user’s experience. I’m grateful for the individual who referred me to Alegeus as it led me to a place where I know my efforts contribute to making a positive impact. That is deeply rewarding for me.
Your career journey at Alegeus has been dynamic, offering diverse experiences across different areas of the organization. How has this varied background laid the groundwork for success in your current role?
I’ve spent many years in service roles, and I believe my drive to serve others well is embedded in who I am. Having the opportunity to work in roles that compliment my core values has allowed me to consistently strive to deliver exceptional service to my clients – at least, that’s my goal every day. My start in Employer Solutions gave me a frontline perspective, and now, working in Partner Experience has brought me closer to where decisions are made, influencing those on the frontline. This shift has helped me understand how decisions impact employers and, ultimately, their employees. It’s these voices that truly enrich our product and shape our roadmap.
Humble brags welcome. How have you made a meaningful impact in your role as Partner Experience Manager?
In my role as Partner Experience Manager, I’ve lead efforts that resulted in both a historic contract renewal and a notably high NPS score. While it was a team effort, I took the lead in transforming an underperforming partner. By stepping back, truly listening to the partner’s concerns, and carefully prioritizing what could be addressed immediately versus later, we were able to turn things around. I now lead twice-weekly calls with the client to discuss escalated issues and priorities. By restructuring these calls and ensuring the right decision-makers were involved, we created a more productive and positive environment. This shift has enabled us to successfully complete projects, which I consider a significant achievement.
In your nearly 8 years at Alegeus, you’ve witnessed some exciting evolution. How would you describe the #PeopleFirst culture at Alegeus today?
People First is one of the key reasons that compelled me to join and stay at Alegeus. Being part of an organization that prioritizes its people is incredibly important to me, and it’s a rare quality that I deeply appreciate. The commitment to valuing employees is evident in every decision that is made, whether it’s thoughtful recognition, gifts, or the swag we receive. Alegeus truly embodies the People First ethos. Additionally, leadership’s ongoing efforts to survey, analyze data, and make improvements highlight their dedication to creating a positive environment and fostering employee growth. This dedication is the proof in the pudding.
Let’s switch things up. If you could have lunch with anyone (living or dead) who would it be and why?
I would absolutely love to have lunch with my great-grandmother. While many people have their own references, for me, she was the true definition of a matriarch. She was a leader, a devoted mother, deeply spiritual, and successfully ran a business. Although she passed before I was born, the stories I’ve heard from family and friends paint a picture of an incredible woman that I would have loved to spend time with.
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
My family is from a tiny volcanic island called Montserrat. In 1993, we had our last formal family reunion, during which we climbed to the top of the then-dormant volcano, Soufrière Hills. Soufrière Hills is located in the city of Plymouth, the original capital and my mother’s hometown. I was quite young, but certain moments are etched in my memory. I remember it took some time to adjust to the island’s differences compared to city life in Boston, especially the precautions needed for climbing the volcano. I chuckle now, but I was a bit scared of the black sand beaches, and the sulfur burned my eyes!
The most striking part of this memory is that just a little less than two years later, that very same volcano erupted, consuming over 75% of the island and leaving much of it uninhabitable to this day. We lost many things, but not the memories! I enjoy hearing family members recall the island prior to the eruption. There were so many wonderful moments. If we had not gone, or if the family had decided not to take the trek up, I would not have experienced any of the island’s essence from that time. Even though I was young, I’m honored to have been a part of it. This memory is one of my mental keepsakes.