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Kimberly George

Posted On: Dec. 4, 2011 12:00 AM CST

Kimberly George

Senior Vp, Managed Care Practice and Client Services
Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc.
Chicago
Age: 42

 

Kimberly George, who began her career as a neuro-trauma nurse, oversees more than 1,000 nurses and managed care professionals for Sedgwick Claims Management Services Inc. In 2009, Ms. George directed a benchmarking study for Sedgwick that used claims and billing data, among other analytics, to measure workers compensation outcomes for California doctors. Memphis, Tenn.-based Sedgwick expanded that model in January to gauge workers comp treatment for more than 230,000 physicians nationwide.

 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO WOMEN ENTERING THIS FIELD?

I would suggest that a new woman entering the industry should try to gain as much varied experience as possible. It's really the well-rounded exposure that a woman would have that brings additional depth and value into whatever position a woman's going into.

 

WHAT IS THE MOST INTERESTING THING YOU'VE LEARNED IN YOUR CAREER?

There's something that a manager told me from 20-plus years ago and it was, “Focus on the customer and everything else will fall in place.” And I must say that throughout my entire career, focusing on the customer is what has mattered most.

 

DID YOU HAVE A MENTOR EARLY IN YOUR CAREER?

I certainly did, and I've been fortunate to have this gentleman in my life for over 20 years. His name is Bob Burtchaell. Mr. Burtchaell is…an entrepreneur out of Portland, Ore. In my entire career, Bob has been there to make sure that I see reality the way reality is. He's brutally honest, and the passion he has around being a mentor and sharing his insight and advice is just truly inspiring to me.

 

WHAT IS YOUR DREAM JOB, OUTSIDE OF YOUR CURRENT ROLE?

I always wanted to be a newscaster. I love to travel, and I love to write and report on things. I envision my dream job still would be a newscaster traveling and reporting on meaningful stories.

 

OUTSIDE OF FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES, WHOM DO YOU ADMIRE MOST?

I am so touched by volunteers. I admire their selfless giving, their time and the energy commitment that they take to their cause, and the passion that they bring. I see volunteers sacrificing, in many ways, their own needs for the needs of others, and I very much admire volunteers.

 

WHAT'S YOUR CAN'T-MISS TV SHOW?

“Project Runway” and “Amazing Race,” and I'm not sure which one I love more.

 

BEYOND WORK, WHAT ONE THING DO YOU WANT TO DO OR ACCOMPLISH IN LIFE?

My bucket list is so long. But I do love to travel, and I want to attend a cooking school in Tuscany some day.

 

DO YOU USE SOCIAL MEDIA? IF NOT, WHY NOT?

Having two young children, I keep up on my Facebook…to watch what my children are doing. But I'm from the West Coast, and so being able to see pictures and touch base with my family and friends, I find Facebook very helpful for that. And I spend time on LinkedIn for business networking…I find LinkedIn very beneficial for connecting with other professionals within the industry whom I might not have met otherwise.

 

2011 Women to Watch Home