For Strider Allie, Being a Member Experience Associate Is Personal

Allie is celebrating her 1 year anniversary at Stride—but she’s been helping people understand health insurance for over a decade.

Allie, you’re a Member Experience Associate here at Stride—tell us a bit about what you do.

As a Member Experience Associate, I assist our members and users over phone and email with dental, vision, and health application questions and issues. Using our plan recommendation tool, I help our members find the best health coverage for both their medical and financial needs.

I do my best to simplify the complicated concepts behind health insurance so our members are making informed decisions when it comes to their plan selection! I also create FAQ documents to help members find the information they need on their own, if they want to.

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Northeastern Pennsylvania. I relocated to Oakland, CA with my boyfriend in July of 2019, and we just moved to San Francisco this summer.

What were you doing before you joined Stride?

Before Stride, I worked for a group health insurance company where I served on a small team dedicated to providing 1:1 support to members with complex medical needs (cancer, stroke, autism). I helped these members find in-network providers, resolve any claim issues, request prior authorizations, and file any appeals as necessary.

It was tough creating close bonds with members and then having to throw in an, “Oh, by the way, the procedure you need to improve your quality of life was denied as not medically necessary.”

Why did you choose to work at Stride?

I’d actually wanted to try something new after 10 years of working for a hospital, doctor’s office, and health insurance company. Then my dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor and stomach cancer in 2020.

While helping him navigate his complicated benefits and get answers to numerous insurance-related questions, something clicked in me. I knew I wanted to help people get the most out of their health insurance. When I found out about Stride and learned more about the company, I just knew I needed to apply.

What’s the most rewarding part about working at Stride?

The most rewarding part would be helping independent workers enroll in not only a health plan, but a health plan that they can afford to use and that they understand. I once had a member burst into happy tears at the end of a successful enrollment call because she hadn’t had health insurance in years.

What’s your favorite memory at Stride (so far)?

This one is easy: My favorite memory at Stride so far has been meeting all my co-workers in-person! It’s rough starting remote at a company and only getting to know everyone through text, emojis, and GIFs. We had a company retreat mid-summer, and it was especially exciting finally getting to “meet” the amazing team I work with for 40 hours a week.

What are some of your hobbies and interests?

My hobbies and interests include hockey (it’s not easy being a Vegas Golden Knights fan in the Bay Area), baseball, live music, and reading (I have a weakness for historical fiction).

What opportunities are you most excited for within the next year at Stride? 

I’m super pumped to see how Stride is going to grow and change. I’m also looking forward to the annual Open Enrollment Period, as last year I was super new and basically wore floaties. Now I get to help lead the charge into Open Enrollment!

What’s your favorite movie of all time? 

Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2 with Baby Driver as a close second (or third, I guess).

What’s on your Spotify playlist these days? 

Rolodex from French Cassettes got me through 2020, and I still can’t stop listening to this album.

Want to work with Allie to help everyone get their own affordable benefits? We’re hiring!