Meet Mary Schraft, SET SEG’s friendly and welcoming receptionist. Mary is the first person people see when they visit our office and often the first voice they hear when they call. She brings a warm and positive energy to our workplace, making her an integral part of our team. Her path to this position is an interesting one – Mary previously worked as an X-ray technician at what was then called the SET SEG Family Healthcare Center. Transitioning to this new role has allowed her to bring her commitment to helping others into a different setting, where she continues to make an impact every day.

Q&A: Mary Schraft

Q: What is your role at SET SEG?

I am often the first point of contact, whether saying good morning and having the coffee going for co-workers or answering the phone and greeting visitors when they arrive. I ensure every guest, employee, and caller feels welcomed and cared for from the moment they interact with SET SEG.

Q: What do you like about your job?

For me, it’s all about the people! I like sitting at my desk every day and experiencing the camaraderie with those I work with – both in good times and bad. I see everyone working together, all towards the same purpose, and accomplishing what they set out to do. I also like being the person others can count on when an extra hand is needed.

Q: What does working at SET SEG mean to you?

I really enjoyed my time in the field of healthcare. But at this stage of my life, doing something different and working for an organization that values every single employee and member, is truly a blessing. I am so grateful for this opportunity to work here every day.

Q: How do you feel like you make an impact through SET SEG?

When asked about how she makes an impact, Mary humbly replied: “I’m not sure how I make an impact. You guys do all the hard work!”

But we know Mary’s impact is felt every day. From her warm greetings to her willingness to go above and beyond, Mary helps create a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone who walks through our doors or calls our office.

Thank you, Mary, for everything you do to support SET SEG and for being the smiling face representing us so well!

Meet Kristen Finkbeiner, our dedicated compensation and benefits administrator here at SET SEG! This open enrollment season, she’s playing a crucial role in guiding our own team members through the enrollment process, ensuring they make the best choices for their unique needs.

In any organization, having someone in this role is essential for navigating the complexities of benefits and making sure employees feel supported. With her expertise and hands-on support, Kristen is helping SET SEG employees understand their options and take full advantage of the comprehensive benefits we offer. Her commitment mirrors our mission of providing clear, knowledgeable support to all those we serve.

Q&A: Kristen Finkbeiner

Q: What is your role at SET SEG?

As a Human Resources team member, I approach each day with a servant’s heart. My goal is to be available and offer support to our staff members so they can focus on serving our members.

Q: What do you like about your job?

I enjoy that my role has a large scope of responsibilities including benefits, compensation, recruitment, compliance, and everything in between! No two days are ever the same which keeps things exciting and busy!

Q: What does working at SET SEG mean to you?

Putting schools first, working as a team, and simplifying the complex those – values really come to life in everything we do here. I’m grateful to work alongside such talented people who truly embody these values every day. Being part of that mission and seeing it in action is incredibly rewarding.

Q: How do you feel like you make an impact through SET SEG?

Serving Michigan public schools is our specialty. Being an outlet for our staff members during the good times and bad so they can focus on serving our members gives my role purpose. Human resources has always been a passion of mine because it allows me to serve others.

Q: Can you share your journey at SET SEG and how your career has evolved?

As I approach my 12th anniversary with SET SEG, it’s incredible to look back on the experiences and opportunities I’ve had throughout my career. After holding multiple roles in the Employee Benefits division and now being part of the HR team, I feel truly grateful for the support I’ve received from my coworkers and leaders. Their encouragement has allowed me to grow my skills and knowledge in ways I never would have anticipated, pushing me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace new challenges.

For Michigan public schools, staying compliant with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can be complex and challenging. ACA tracking and reporting require careful monitoring of employee hours, benefits eligibility, and adherence to federal healthcare mandates. Public schools, with their large and diverse workforces — often including part-time staff — face the added difficulty of ensuring accurate reporting to avoid costly penalties while also offering affordable healthcare to eligible employees.

That’s where SET SEG’s ACA Tracking & Reporting team steps in. Meet Isaac Updike, our ACA Data Analyst, who plays a pivotal role in helping our member districts navigate these challenges and maintain ACA compliance.

Q&A: Isaac Updike

Q: What is your role at SET SEG?

I oversee or maintain our ACA software. Essentially, I make sure the lights stay on – fixing bugs, providing analytical resources to our team, and also monitoring compliance among our membership.

Q: What do you like about your job?

What I love most about my job is the people and the culture here at SET SEG. It’s a genuinely friendly and collaborative environment where everyone’s ideas are welcome, and teamwork is a big part of what we do. It makes the workplace enjoyable, and I’ve built some great relationships along the way. We’ve had a lot of fun get-togethers, and many of my coworkers have become lifelong friends.

What sets SET SEG apart is that the culture isn’t just a buzzword – it’s something that’s truly lived every day. Leadership is approachable and always open to hearing ideas, and from day one, I’ve felt like my voice is valued.

On top of that, the mission here is something I’m proud to be part of. Having come from a large corporate insurance environment, the focus there was on profit. Here, we’re focused on serving public schools, which is close to my heart as a public school graduate. It’s rewarding to know that the work we do makes a real difference.

Q: What does working at SET SEG mean to you?

Working at SET SEG means a lot to me for two reasons. Professionally, it’s incredibly fulfilling to know that the work I do makes a real difference. I have no ethical concerns about the work we do here – we’re genuinely helping public schools. When a school comes to us facing a fine for compliance, and we’re able to negotiate it down or put a strategy in place to prevent future issues, it’s rewarding to see the positive impact we have.

And personally, it provides a sense of security. The benefits package here gives me peace of mind, allowing me to focus on what matters most without the worries that many people face. I can take time off to visit my family out of state and have access to affordable healthcare.

Q: How do you feel like you make an impact through SET SEG?

The impact I make at SET SEG goes beyond just helping schools avoid fines. We work closely with districts to create benefit plans that not only meet their employees’ needs but also comply with the law. What I do is take the burden off school leadership by using my expertise to manage these complex tasks.

This allows business managers and superintendents to focus on what truly matters – educating students and supporting staff – while we handle the behind-the-scenes work to ensure everything runs smoothly. It’s rewarding to know that our support makes their jobs easier.

Q: What do you wish others knew about SET SEG’s ACA Tracking & Reporting service?

What I wish more people knew about SET SEG’s ACA Tracking & Reporting service is that we’re not just a software tool – we’re also a trusted advisor on ACA compliance. While our tools are great for generating reports, we offer so much more. We provide personalized resources and work closely with our members to ensure they understand their obligations and stay compliant. We want schools to know we’re here to help them navigate these complex requirements.

For non-members, it’s important to understand that ACA enforcement can be tricky. It’s surprisingly easy to fall out of compliance without realizing it, and some districts may not even know there’s an issue until they receive a fine years later. Whether you work with us or another benefits advisor, it’s crucial to check in and ensure you’re following the right procedures to avoid unexpected penalties.

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, the importance of a skilled and versatile IT team connot be overstated. Information Technology encompasses a variety of critical roles, each contributing to the seamless operation and success of an organization. From network security to system administration, these dedicated professionals ensure that technology empowers rather than hinders.

This week, we’re excited to shine a spotlight on one of our key IT team members, Data Engineer Adriana Paz Santos. Tasked with the vital role of ensuring everyone has access to accurate and timely data, Paz Santos enables informed decision-making for employees at all levels across the organization.

Q&A: Adriana Paz Santos

Q: What is your role at SET SEG?

My role at SET SEG is to ensure everyone has access to accurate and timely data to perform their best. I use various tools to build systems for collecting, managing, and converting raw data into usable information. My primary goal is to ensure data accessibility, enabling us to provide services and effectively and continually evaluate and optimize our performance.

Q: What do you like about your job?

An important aspect of my job is having the creative freedom to design and build data transformation systems that deliver the necessary data across the organization. I value the trust my team places in me and appreciate how naturally my work aligns with our core value of simplifying the complex.

Q: What does working at SET SEG mean to you?

Working at SET SEG means doing my best every day to support schools so they can focus on the education of children across Michigan. Our IT team, and the organization as a whole, foster an environment of engagement and collaboration by keeping our systems updated, secure, and open to innovation.

Q: How do you feel like you make an impact through SET SEG?

Even though I do “behind-the-scenes” work, what I do ensures that other teams at SET SEG can confidently rely on our systems to provide amazing service to schools.

In today’s digitally-driven world, where data breaches and cyber threats are an ever-present danger, the role of cyber security specialists has never been more critical. With the education sector consistently ranked in the top five areas targeted by cybercriminals, it’s imperative that SET SEG practice what we preach to our members every day — safeguard our digital footprint to prevent malicious attacks on our data.

Meet Scott Huntley, SET SEG’s Director of Information Technology and Security, whose expertise in cybersecurity is SET SEG’s frontline defense against cybercriminals. From implementing security protocols to staying ahead of emerging threats, Huntley’s work is a blend of technical prowess and strategic thinking, ensuring our sensitive information remains secure.

Q&A: Scott Huntley

Q: What is your role at SET SEG?

At SET SEG I have several roles. First I  lead a team of very talented people committed to providing a safe, modern, and secure computing environment for our organization. I also serve as the Information Security Officer. In today’s world data is king, so it’s important to have someone responsible for ensuring our data is protected.

Q: What do you like about your job?

What I love about my job is the variety. Every day presents a new challenge, and I never know what to expect. I typically start my day with a plan, but often shift focus depending on the issues and tasks that come up throughout the course of the day. This keeps things fresh and makes coming to work more enjoyable.

Q: What does working at SET SEG mean to you?

I am married to an educator so have a deep understanding of what these people do for our kids in Michigan and how hard they work. Being part of an organization that lightens the burden on educators so they don’t have to worry about their insurance and benefit needs is incredibly rewarding.

Q: How do you feel like you make an impact through SET SEG?

I always say that cyber security is a team sport. My Team can only do so much when it comes to ensuring our data is protected — we need everyone’s help. I strive to make an impact by building trust with our staff. We are all busy and sometimes get in a rush and click on something we know we shouldn’t have, or reply to an email that ends up being a phishing attempt. I want staff to feel comfortable to come to me should they make a mistake that could lead to a cyber breach. Every minute that goes by makes containing an incident harder, so I want to be everyone’s first line of contact when it comes to cyber incidents.

Q: Why do you feel it’s so imperative that employees are educated on cyber security?

Technology can only protect SET SEG so much, and like all companies, our employees are the way in for a targeted cyber-attack. If our staff knows what to look for when it comes to an attempt to access our data, then these attacks can be prevented. What’s more, companies that experience a cyber-attack, are often targeted again and again. If the first attempt isn’t successful, most often the bad actors will move on and look for an easier target.

My team and I provide extensive cybersecurity training for our staff, which they can then apply to their personal lives. I hope they take this knowledge home and educate their families.

At SET SEG many staff members, and even whole departments, are crucial to our success yet often work behind the scenes — far less visible to our members and stakeholders. One example is our finance team, the backbone of our organization. Their meticulous attention to detail ensures accurate financial reporting and compliance, while their strategic analysis and forecasting guide critical decision-making. Leading this team is SET SEG’s Chief Financial Officer, Amy Maneval.

Maneval plays a pivotal role in managing budgets, monitoring expenditures, and optimizing resource allocation, to lead the finance team in sustaining the organization’s financial health and supporting its long-term goals. Her contributions are indispensable, providing the stability and insight needed for the organization to thrive.

Q&A: Amy Maneval

Q: What is your role at SET SEG?

I lead the Finance team at SET SEG, where we ensure the timely and accurate recording and reporting of financial results. Our team provides critical analysis and forecasts, collaborating with the executive team to evaluate initiatives while balancing long-term financial goals. By working closely with company leadership, we ensure that financial resources are allocated effectively, enabling us to serve schools for years to come.

Q: What do you like about your job?

As someone with a background in accounting, I naturally enjoy working with numbers and reporting financial results to stakeholders. Beyond that, I love collaborating with various teams across our organization to plan for the future. Our team is incredibly talented, supportive, and innovative, making it a pleasure to come together to strategize and solve problems.

Q: What does working at SET SEG mean to you?

I have worked here for 20 years and am deeply committed to our mission. Working at SET SEG means I work with people who value and support Michigan public schools, which is incredibly rewarding. Our team is committed to bringing solutions to school districts, whether it is to better protect employees or to offer a service that gives peace of mind to our members.

Q: How do you feel like you make an impact through SET SEG?

My work supports the allocation of resources to critical initiatives across the organization. I feel that I make a significant impact by ensuring the financial stability and transparency of our organization. Knowing that my efforts, along with my colleagues, ultimately contribute to the protection and well-being of school employees and their work, gives me a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment.

At SET SEG, we cultivate leaders – leaders in the insurance industry and within our organization. Our capacity to deliver a multitude of valuable services to schools across the state is significantly attributed to the talented individuals comprising our organization. Our Human Resources Manager, Danica Klein, is not only a notable addition to that talent pool but a critical force in maintaining its effectiveness.

Klein plays a pivotal role in developing and overseeing HR programs that seamlessly support the entire employment lifecycle, ensuring SET SEG is equipped with the necessary talent for success. Her responsibilities span from managing compensation and benefits to spearheading recruiting strategies, onboarding, and fostering positive employee relations. Klein not only focuses on identifying prospective leaders who align with SET SEG’s values but also on retaining and nurturing the existing talent within the organization.

Q&A: Danica Klein

Q: What advice would you give to women entering HR and/or the insurance industry?

I always give the same advice: do what scares you! Put yourself out there, seek out opportunities, and take them when they come. There will be many times when you feel underqualified, apprehensive, and “not ready.” If you take the leap and say yes, even when you’re scared, it will open opportunities and give you valuable experiences.

I am very thankful to the people who offered me a job shadow day, an internship, my first job after graduation, a meeting invite, or a morning to network over coffee. In my role here at SET SEG, I’m proud to offer those opportunities back to many talented students through our college outreach programs.

Q: What motivated you to become a leader?

I chose to study human resources because I wanted to help and serve people. To me, leadership offers that same opportunity. In leadership, you contribute to a shared mission, lead meaningful change, positively impact the business and the people, and motivate others to be the best versions of themselves.

And being in HR, it’s exciting to work with several different groups of people to unlock potential and create synergy within the organization.

Q: Describe your leadership style.

I would say that I like to meet people where they are with empathy and grace. I take a collaborative approach where we work as a team to play to each other’s strengths and solve problems together. I care for the people I work with, and when others can sense your intentions are good, it makes for an effective and trusting partnership. I am still at the beginning of my leadership journey and recognize that I have so much to learn in the years ahead.

Keeping a humble and continuous learning mindset is so important. We become better leaders when we choose to reflect on our experiences, celebrate the victories, and learn from our mistakes. I feel very fortunate to have many great leaders to learn from at SET SEG and in my local HR community.

Q: What does it mean to you to work at SET SEG?

Working as SET SEG has been a blessing in my life. We have some of the most talented, kind, hardworking, and generous people on our team. We are a small enough organization where we know everyone’s names and it feels like a big extended family.

Our team is so driven by our mission and core values that going the extra mile has quickly taken the place of the status quo. We push each other to improve and innovate. All of these factors combined make for an exceptional work environment. Looking forward to going to work each day is something I don’t take for granted.

Q: How do you feel you make an impact through SET SEG?

I’m proud to be part of an organization that makes such a positive impact on Michigan public schools. I attended public schools in Michigan for the entirety of my education and I still remember my favorite teachers and what a huge impact they made on my life.

While I am not directly working with our member districts in my particular role, I get to support our amazing employees so they can support our members daily. Ensuring that our employees feel supported and have the resources they need to successfully do their jobs brings me great joy.

I am in a unique role that strikes the balance of caring for the employee and the business simultaneously. It’s a challenge that I’ve grown to love over the years!

SET SEG is happy to announce the arrival of Lynn Revoldt, Director of Employee Benefits Client Services. With an extensive employee benefits background, Revoldt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to SET SEG, and we are excited to add her industry expertise to our organization.

Revoldt has more than 30 years of experience serving in various employee benefits roles, ranging from claims analyst and benefits administrator to operations manager and director of operations. Prior to joining SET SEG, Revoldt provided employee benefits solutions in a variety of organizations, and she is excited to apply her experience and expertise to helping Michigan’s public schools.

Now, as SET SEG’s Director of Employee Benefits Client Services, Revoldt directs the overall design, implementation, strategy, and administration of SET SEG’s employee benefit services programs. This position ensures that SET SEG services and plans adhere to current regulations and supports the organization’s strategic initiatives through collaboration with SET SEG leadership and other departments.

Women In Leadership

At SET SEG fostering growth in leadership is key to ensuring the organization’s values are upheld at every level of service. With a diverse set of leadership styles heading our organization, we’re excited to welcome Revoldt to our team of strong women leaders advocating for our members – Michigan’s public schools.

Q&A: Lynn Revoldt

Q: What advice would you give to women entering this industry?
A: Have faith and grace in yourself and others. It is up to you to recognize your own worth, share your knowledge, and support yourself and those around you.  Hard work is important but so is the intelligence with which you perform the service – and never forget to have grace.  There is nothing as satisfying as helping someone grow and making a long-term difference.

Q: Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.
A: I have always believed that Leadership is more than a position or a title – it is a skill and a mindset that must be constantly developed through an unending process of self-study, education, and experience. A positive attitude is such an important part of the overall equation and integrity is key.

As a leader, I will offer direction through mentorship, collaboration, and continual support to our team. The existence of unified goals will assist us in our efforts to work enthusiastically towards objectives and provide a consistent and coherent process to help achieve our organizational goals.

Q: What are you looking forward to most in your role at SET SEG?
A: I look forward to being part of an organization that can really make a difference – an organization that puts supporting Michigan Public Schools first on every agenda.

This team operates to serve others by simplifying the complex and must keep up with, and stay on top of, a constantly changing environment. To have this opportunity to be part of the Employee Benefits Team that strives to concentrate on these important issues each and every day is truly exhilarating and I am looking forward to each new challenge as a member of the team.