Chantel Sheaks
Posted On: Dec. 5, 2010 12:00 AM CST
Principal, Government Affairs
Buck Consultants L.L.C.
Washington
Age: 39
Chantel Sheaks is Buck Consultants L.L.C's leading authority and spokeswoman on employee benefits legislation. Ms. Sheaks' responsibilities include consulting with clients and keeping other Buck consultants up to date about legislative and regulatory issues affecting employee benefits. She also serves as Buck's spokesperson on a variety of policy issues, is a sought-after public speaker and frequently is quoted in the media. Ms. Sheaks earned a law degree from Northeastern School of Law in Boston and is a member of the District of Columbia, Georgia and Virginia bars. She also has taught at Georgetown University School of Law in Washington.
WHAT'S THE BEST PROFESSIONAL ADVICE YOU RECEIVED?
The best advice I ever received was from my stepfather. I had graduated from college and was sending out resumes. I was staying at my parents' house. I felt I should be out on my own. He told me not to worry, that I would get a job. He said it didn't matter what the job was as long as it was something I truly loved. He said don't worry about the money because if you truly love the job, the money will come.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG WOMEN ENTERING THIS FIELD?
Especially for employee benefits, I would say: Don't be intimidated. There is this perception that it is all so complicated; it is just too overwhelming. (The Employee Retirement Income Security Act)—that it is just too scary. In fact, it actually is not. Also, don't be intimidated by all of the people who have been here forever. (With) health care reform, no one knows what is going on. It is a level playing field now. Take your time. All you have to do is read and understand it, and you can do just as well as everyone else.
OUTSIDE OF WORK AND FAMILY, WHOM DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?
It is not just one person. I had some of the most amazing teachers who gave me extra time. They made that extra effort to really push me, to make me a better person.
WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
In eighth grade, we had to write, "What I want to be when I grow up." I couldn't quite decide. I didn't know if I wanted to be a lawyer or a psychologist. I put down both; and now, having been a lawyer for about 15 years, I realize that being a lawyer is a lot like being a psychologist.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE?
It is a toss-up between "Heathers," a really dark comedy about high school life, and "Little Miss Sunshine."
WHAT'S THE MOST INTERESTING PLACE YOU'VE BEEN?
I've traveled extensively. I've been to Asia, Europe and Latin America. I think I have been in just about every major city in the United States. Every place is interesting because it is what you make of it. I can find interesting things about the place I grew up back home in Indiana, but my favorite place is Washington.
WHAT DO YOU PREFER AND WHY: PHONE OR E-MAIL?
It just depends. Generally, I prefer e-mail because I am on the road so much and it is just so much faster. Still, sometimes we forget—everyone has a BlackBerry, a smartphone or this or that—that we sometimes need to pick up the phone and have that human touch.