At last year’s IHAF Annual Conference & Awards Show, I had the pleasure of meeting IHAF Ambassador, Theresa D’Alessandro, and hearing about her move from the Washington, DC area to New York City as well as her move into a new position at New York Life Insurance Company.

As CVP and Director, Creative Services for New York Life, Theresa is a bit of a “one-woman band” since she is in the process of building a brand new corporate creative team. “You could say everything is new and exciting,” says Theresa, “because the team is potential energy versus kinetic energy at this point. This will be a year of growth and change.”

One thing that keeps Theresa grounded amidst such change is a photo she keeps on her desk—it’s of a close friend who passed away around the same time she joined her new company. “She inspires me in the way she led her life,” Theresa recalls. “She was courageous in the face of challenges and set-backs, and lived life fully.”

Theresa also stays grounded by spending quality time with another favorite companion—her dog. “He gets me outside, which is a great way to clear my mind,” remarks Theresa. And those walks are particularly welcome after a long day and an even longer commute, as Theresa drives nearly 220 miles to and from New York Life.

Reflecting back on work, Theresa is grateful for her membership with IHAF. “It’s easy to lose perspective as we get caught up in the day to day,” she  explains. “IHAF offers opportunities to connect with others and share learnings that we may not be exposed to otherwise.”

Thank you for the opportunity to get to know you better, Theresa, and for your dedication as an IHAF Ambassador. We wish you well in your new position at New York Life and look forward to hearing more about your progress in advancing your team.