Samantha’s story: Finding a rewarding experience in health insurance

Samantha and her coworkers at a volunteering project.

In this employee spotlight, we feature Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Product and Marketing Solutions Partner Samantha Vosberg.

First impressions
Samantha started at BCBSND in the Customer Contact Center (CCC). She describes her first impression of BCBSND as “full of awe” as she walked up to the big building on her first day.

As a child, she remembers receiving the insurance statements addressed to her from BCBSND and arguing that it was hers to open. Little did she know, it would one day be where she worked.

From northwest to southeast
Growing up in northern North Dakota, (Mohall and Minot), Samantha eventually moved to Fargo to study at NDSU where she graduated with a degree in hospitality and tourism management. She currently lives in Wyndmere, N.D., with her husband, Gordy, and two stepdaughters.

In her free time, you can usually find her at sporting events all over the state and some parts of the Midwest. She is active in her community where she serves as president of the Wyndmere Community Center, a mentor with the Wyndmere-Lidgerwood Bio Girls, a member of the Fall Festival Committee and a coach for elementary girls’ basketball and boy t-ball.

A rewarding experience
The CCC was the perfect place to start as she learned how much her work could impact others.

“To this day, I can remember calls where I knew I had helped someone through a difficult time,” she said. “I am forever grateful for that experience.”

One of her favorite memories was helping open the Wahpeton CCC and training there.

“Our director at the time, Russ Boyle, was an integral piece on getting that office up and running. It was exciting and rewarding to help bring amazing jobs to that area of our state and it was also amazing to see how many people were excited to have BCBSND as a local employer… a lot of employees that started there have since moved throughout the company and it is exciting to see them grow,” shared Samantha.

A decade with the company
She currently works as a product and market solutions partner in our Sales department and will celebrate 10 years with BCBSND this June. She describes the work culture as “ever-changing” and admires leadership’s mindset of “What can we do better for our customers?” instead of “This is what we have always done.”

“It is refreshing to be in meetings where people ask, ‘Why not?’ and ‘Why can’t we do this?’”, she shared. “It is only going to benefit everyone at the end of the day to make things easier for our customers. So don’t be afraid to ask those questions!”

Big, but not too big to listen
Another thing she noticed is how BCBSND doesn’t feel like a large organization.

“I feel like even though BCBSND is large, everyone eventually gets to know everyone, and you don’t feel like just a number,” Samantha said. “No matter what position you’re in, or wherever you work, you’re empowered to bring up ideas, insight, etc. to leadership.”

Helping everyone understand health insurance
When people hear the word health insurance, they don’t always associate it with happy things but rather frustration. Samantha feels like it is her duty to share her health insurance knowledge whenever she can with whomever she can, member or not. She knows our members are everywhere and from all kinds of walks of life and making the smallest impact can be huge for our communities.

We are grateful for her 10 years with the company and the positive attitude she brings to the workplace.

Samantha and her husband, Gordy.

Samantha and the girls.