TheBridge profile: Wendy Baker
Name: Wendy Baker
Current city: High Point, NC
Current job: Legal Counsel at Human Interest
Human Interest raises $200 Million on its path to IPO in 2023
Past job: ERISA Attorney at Ascensus
Q. Favorite spot for a coffee meeting? Anywhere outdoors, preferably with an ocean view
Q. How are you (or your company) currently bridging the gap between innovation and regulation? In the Learning Center at HumanInterest.com, we distill and make actionable the new regulations that have been passed to help address the overwhelmingly huge retirement savings gap. Forward-thinking legislators in 14 states like California, Illinois, Oregon, and New Jersey have created a structure to enforce employers’ support of their workers’ retirement goals. Another 28 are considering legislation in some form like this for discussion this year. We provide insights for our users about what these regulations mean, which state- and vendor-sponsored options meet the requirements, how to optimize the most cost-efficient options, and how to avoid any associated fines and penalties. With roughly 40% of employees who are eligible opting out of saving through one of the state plans, we know there’s a lot for employers and employees to think through.
Q. What can innovators learn from policymakers? Add structure to your ideas. Set an agenda and drive your process forward to implementation.
Q. What can policymakers learn from innovators? Recognize that most of us have boxed in our thinking in some way. Learn to conceptualize problems differently, work backward for a change.
Q. Describe how a skill you learned in a previous job helped you in your current job. Take the time required to allow others to build trust in you. You may know what you are talking about, but others will only find that out through time and experience. Add to that, never be afraid to say “I don’t know but I will research it and get back to you.”
Q. Favorite book/podcast/long-form article you recommend? Industry-related: E is for ERISA (podcast) and Disrupt to Spark Transformation by Luke Williams (book) Personal: 10% Happier with Dan Harris
Q. Job advice in three words? Hold yourself accountable
Q. Most underrated virtue in an employee? Positive attitude
Q. Looking back, what advice would you give yourself in the beginning of your career? Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself.
Q. Embarrassing work moment? The voicemail I left my boss after a bad flight on the way to a speaking engagement (begging to be allowed to skip the next flight and drive home.) I managed to make the flight and deliver a great talk, but wow, how embarrassing!
Q. Everyday is probably different, but can you describe a "day in the life" of your job? I would describe every day as a continuous pop quiz. Within the realm of employee benefits, retirement plans specifically, I never know what question is coming next but they will all be urgent and require a combination of legal information and pragmatic business advice.
Q. Best advice you’ve received? You never leave a person the same way you met them, you leave them a little higher or a little lower. Always aim to leave them higher.
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