Welcome to the Employee Spotlight Series! This week, we interviewed Teri Harkins, the Vice President of Strategic Accounts and Client Value, who has been with the SpendMend team since July 2011. When asked why she looks forward to coming to work every day, she stated, “I enjoy the people I work with and most of all, knowing our services and solutions make a significant, positive impact on the financial bottom line for the hospitals and health systems we work with.” A fun fact about Teri is that she grew up in Casper, Wyoming! She went to school in Casper from grades K-12 and loved playing sports such as volleyball, basketball, track, and softball. Teri states, “I secured an athletic scholarship to play volleyball at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, and played all four years.” She majored in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and minored in Political Science. Another fun fact about Teri is that she loves college football! She is a dedicated University of Oklahoma fan and never misses a game day. She has been a big college football fan since she was a little girl, and her dad was a Texas Tech graduate, which introduced her to the Big 8 and Big 12 Conference fandom. Her favorite player is Baker Mayfield, an OU Heisman Trophy Award winner and current NFL quarterback. She loves seeing him in and around the community and his passion for the Sooners! Be sure to check out the fun interview to learn more about Teri’s love for football. Outside of work, Teri enjoys practicing hot yoga. She started back in 2015 when her fellow SpendMenders, Danielle Adamson and Amanda Geelhoed Papach, suggested it to her! Teri states, “Hot yoga is among the most humbling and difficult exercises I have ever tried!” She believes it has been a blessing to her mental and physical health. If you are interested in learning more about hot yoga, reach out to Teri!
Teri is greatly admired by many of her fellow co-workers. We asked Andrew Brandenburg, Regional Vice President of Sales, about Teri, and he said, “When I think of an example of a team player and someone who is ALWAYS willing to stop what they’re doing to help someone in need, I think of Teri. Since joining SpendMend, she’s been a constant help and support for me as a peer. Not only is she a team player, but she maintains a positive attitude and promotes collaboration. She’s a vital part of our team, and I’m thankful to know her!” We are so grateful to have people like Teri on the SpendMend team! Thank you for going above and beyond, Teri!
Interview with Teri:
What is your role at SpendMend?
Vice President, Strategic Accounts & Client Value
How long have you been with SpendMend?
Since July of 2011
How did you first learn about SpendMend?
SpendMend was previously known as Business Strategy Inc. back in 2011. I knew Dan Geelhoed, our CEO, and was often competing against BSI for various projects. Long story, however, BSI was a competitor!
What three words would you use to describe SpendMend?
Ever-changing, Dynamic, forward-thinking
Where are you located/from?
I grew up in Casper, Wyoming. My family moved to Casper when I was five years old. We were living in Lubbock, Texas, where my dad completed his PhD in Petroleum Geology, and Casper was the location of his first industry job. I attended K-12 in Casper and was always very good at sports and school. (Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Softball).
Where did you go for higher education?
I secured an athletic scholarship to play volleyball at Idaho State University in Pocatello, Idaho, and played all four years.
What did you study and why?
I majored in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Minored in Political Science. My intent was to continue to law school and then eventually become the first woman U.S. Senator from the state of Wyoming.
Why do you look forward to coming to work?
I enjoy the people I work with, and most of all, I know our services and solutions make a significant, positive impact on the financial bottom line of the hospitals and health systems we work with.
Before working at SpendMend, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
I worked as a legislative intern and aide for Craig Thomas, the U.S. congressman from Wyoming. Fun fact: Wyoming has only one U.S. Congressman!
What is one fun fact about you?
I love college football! I’m a die-hard University of Oklahoma fan. I never miss an episode of Game Day (ESPN every Saturday morning during the fall season.
When did you become a huge college football fan?
College football has been a huge part of my life since I was a little girl! Since my dad was a Texas Tech grad, that automatically made me a huge Red Raider fan and fan of the Big 8 and then Big 12 Conferences. ESPN’s GAME DAY is a staple in our home every Saturday morning until the actual kick-off!
Why is the University of Oklahoma your favorite team?
My oldest daughter attended Baylor University in Waco, Texas, and my youngest attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Both Big 12 schools. I fell in love with both universities and their incredible legacies, but ultimately grew to truly love OU.
Who is your favorite player, and why?
I now live in Lakeway, Texas, a suburb of Austin. It’s the home of Baker Mayfield, an OU Heisman Trophy Award winner and current NFL quarterback. We see him in and around the community and love how passionate he is about the Sooners! We attend at least 2 OU games a year in Norman.
What do you enjoy most about watching college football?
What I enjoy most about college football is the sheer joy, dedication, and focus these young men put into their sport. I guess, as a former college athlete, I “get it.” When you have a passion for something, you not only live it every day—you dream about it every night! I see this with the OU Women’s Softball team (3-time consecutive NCAA Titles) as well. I just really appreciate seeing young people dedicate themselves to their athletic passions and pursuits. It’s so fun to watch.
What type of music or podcasts do you listen to during the workday?
I’m a bit “old school” and typically just have ESPN or the news running in the background on the TV. I prefer to work quietly. Does that make me a typical Gen Xer? lol …
Do you have any hobbies or participate in any activities outside of work?
I love to do hot yoga, walk, and golf. I’ve always preferred to be in the outdoors. Our family loves being out on the boat – enjoying Lake Travis, Lake Austin, or Lake LBJ. We are so lucky to live in the beautiful Hill Country of Central Texas.
When did you start practicing yoga?
I started practicing yoga back in 2015, not long after I met Danielle Adamson and, of course, Amanda Geelhoed Papach. They were both certified instructors and encouraged me to give it a try.
What piqued your interest in starting to do hot yoga?
I had been an avid runner since leaving college but was beginning to experience some serious physiological challenges. They convinced me that yoga (Hot Yoga) could be a great alternative. And boy, were they right! Hot yoga is among the most humbling and difficult exercises I have ever tried. I now know why they call it a “practice.” I can rest assured I will never be yoga “perfect.” It’s been a blessing for my mental and physical health.
Who do you interact with
Clients and Potential Clients
Can you describe an interaction when you helped a client or a supplier that stands out in your mind?
We had a client in the Southeast that was growing very quickly through acquisitions. The accounting staff was over-worked and frustrated, but still supported our Recovery Audit project. We (another salesperson and I) decided we would ask their VP and Director if we could take the team to a nice Holiday dinner. They were very appreciative and supportive of the invitation. It became an annual event the entire team always looked forward to. They dressed up, invited their significant others, and simply celebrated their hard work together. It was a small gesture in our minds, but to them, it was something they truly looked forward to every year.
What was the best compliment you’ve ever been paid by a client or supplier?
I once had a VP of Supply Chain tell me I had prepared and presented the most professional and thoughtful response to an RFP. My firm was selected for the project. He was also kind enough to tell my direct report my company was lucky to have me. It was an incredible compliment and confidence boost to a young professional.
What is the best part of serving the healthcare market?
The best part of serving the healthcare market is knowing that we are having a direct impact on their financial bottom line. Allowing them to avoid head-count reductions or more often, improve their working relationships with their supplier community. Knowing we can make a real difference in their cost cycle operations so they can focus on what’s important, the health of their patients.
Do you want to shout out a co-worker who has helped or inspired you at SpendMend?
I want to give a shout out to Dan Geelhoed, our CEO, who convinced me that staying to support the BSI healthcare business segment back in 2012 was going to be the best decision I could ever make in my career.
What advice do you have for prospective candidates who want to join the SpendMend team?
If you are looking for challenging work where you have the opportunity for upward mobility and advancement in an industry that so desperately needs our services and solutions, SpendMend is the place for you. You will be making a difference every day.
What has been your proudest accomplishment at SpendMend?
My proudest accomplishment at SpendMend was when I had a salesperson on my team tell me he had never been so successful and so happy about the work he was doing. That was my proudest moment, knowing I had helped someone achieve more than they ever thought they could.
What is something you’re looking forward to for your future at SpendMend?
I’m simply looking forward to the future. We have brought together some of the most impressive solutions (Trulla, Rebate Insight, InvoiceROI) and services (340B Compliance & Optimization, Purchased Services Cost Optimization, Recovery Audit) with the brightest minds in the industry. I’m excited to see what else we can bring to the table for our healthcare clients.