A Special Thanksgiving Message to ACI’s Extended Family

As the season of thanks has officially arrived, I want to extend a special thank you to the often-unsung heroes of the workplace—the family.   

While I have been CEO and Founder of ACI Specialty Benefits for 35 years, I have even more experience as mother and grandmother. Perhaps that is why when I look at each and every employee at ACI, I see beyond the individual. I see the hardworking mom putting her daughter through college, the grandfather picking up the kids from school, the single dad hustling to make ends meet. In other words, I see family. 

It is often the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and in-laws who step in to provide childcare, housing, transportation, and other support to enable ACI’s working parents to show up to work every day. That brings me to my favorite ACI event—ACI’s Family Day. 

Each year, ACI celebrates the wonderful people behind ACI’s employees, including parents, grandparents, and children of all ages. At this year’s Family Day held at San Diego’s world-famous Sea World, I met proud grandparents, adorable newborns, military family members and bright young women who are sure-to-be future leaders. I am not often at a loss for words, but looking out into the crowd at ACI’s Family Day each year simply takes my breath away. 

This Thanksgiving season, I encourage my fellow business leaders to look beyond their individual employees, and ask themselves, “How am I empowering the people who power my business?” In many ways, it is the often-unnoticed contributions of so many family members that power global business and it is important to show them the recognition, appreciation and support they deserve.

Sincerely,
Dr. Ann Clark, Founder and CEO
ACI Specialty Benefits