Here at Inszone, one of our missions is to make sure that every employee is appreciated, acknowledged, and recognized for their achievements. This Employee Spotlight series aims to celebrate success and highlight the talented individuals we have at Inszone, Cover Cannabis, and California Pool Association. Each month we’ll be featuring Inszone employees on our website, blog and social accounts.
Please join us in congratulating Rene Buchner, our Employee Spotlight for the month of December!
Rene Buchner entered the insurance industry unexpectedly through a company merger that led her to her current role as an Operations Analyst. She brings a strong background in attention to detail and deadline management from her previous position as a Notary Department Manager. Early on, she proved her problem-solving skills by helping her team correct a process error that threatened a critical deadline.
Rene is known for being collaborative, adaptable, and reliable. She values open communication, stays flexible when challenges arise, and is someone her team can consistently count on. What sets her apart is her approachable nature, she creates an environment where colleagues feel comfortable coming to her for help or feedback. She considers herself her greatest mentor, believing that persistence, learning from mistakes, and self-motivation have shaped her growth.
Outside of work, Rene enjoys going to the gym, kickboxing, spending time outdoors, and creating meaningful moments with her kids, whether cheering at soccer games, playing board games, or relaxing with a movie and hot chocolate. One of her proudest accomplishments is earning her Notary Commission, which she achieved through determination and persistence.
When asked to share a few words about Rene, her supervisor, Amy Hackney, and COO, Dan Miekina, had this to say:
Amy Hackney shared, “Rene’s ability to jump in, learn quickly, and deliver results has made her an invaluable part of the Operations team. She brings a solution-oriented mindset to every discussion, focused on possibilities rather than problems, and she’s never afraid to embrace new challenges, whether it’s a complex workflow or even trying balut in the Philippines. Rene has quickly become a trusted partner to both the U.S. and PH teams, consistently bridging communication, driving alignment, and making a measurable impact across the back office.”
Dan Miekina added, “Rene has been with Operations for a little under a year having transitioned to this team post-merger with Cummins Insurance. Rene has adapted incredibly well in her new role and is always willing to accept new challenges. Her willingness to roll up her sleeves, learn something new, and problem solve is an example for all of us at Inszone.”
Q: What initially brought you to the insurance industry?
A: Honestly, I never set out to work in insurance, although being that my previous company was merged with Inszone, it kind of gave me a way into the role I am in now.
Q: In what ways do you think your unique background or experiences contribute to your success in your role?
A: Being new to the Operations Analyst role, I can’t share any unique background or experiences within this role, however I will say that in my previous role as a Notary Department Manager, I think my background and experiences that hit hard is my attention to detail and strict deadlines that I would have to adhere to.
Q: Can you share a particularly challenging situation you faced in your career and how you overcame it?
A: One of the toughest challenges I faced was handling a situation where a process error threatened to delay a critical deadline. I took the initiative to coordinate with colleagues, identify a solution, and guide everyone through the adjustments needed.
Q: If you could describe your approach to teamwork in three words, what would they be and why?
A: I would describe my approach to teamwork as: Collaborative, Adaptable, and Reliable. I value collaboration because the best solutions often come from listening to different perspectives. I stay adaptable because every team and project has unique challenges, and being flexible allows us to adjust and succeed. And I am reliable because my team knows they can count on me to follow through and support them when it matters most.
Q: What do you think sets you apart, and how does it benefit your team?
A: What sets me apart is my comfort in connecting with others and making sure my team feels comfortable connecting with me as well. I’m approachable, patient, and genuinely interested in how my teams are doing. Because of that, they feel confident coming to me for help or feedback.
Q: Who has been the biggest influence or mentor in your life, and what valuable lessons have you learned from them?
A: My biggest influence or mentor in my life would be myself. I’ve learned that mistakes are some of your best teachers, and that my inner motivation is much more powerful than external encouragement. I continuously push myself to evolve and challenge my limits. Ultimately, I’ve learned that the strength, guidance, and consistency I need come from within.
Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career so far, and what did it teach you?
A: One of my accomplishments I am proud of is getting my Notary Commission. It did take me 3 tries (no lie), however not giving up and pushing yourself to continue is what is important, which led me to passing!
Q: What are some hobbies you do outside of work that you enjoy?
A: Some of my hobbies outside of work include going to the gym, kickboxing, watching my daughter play soccer, hanging out with my son playing board games or watching him play video games that he is extremely too good at. I enjoy being outside a lot but also love sitting on the couch with hot chocolate or coffee doing absolutely nothing by myself or snuggling with my kids with a movie on!
Rene, your hard work, leadership, and positive spirit make a lasting impact on your team and the entire company. We’re grateful for all you do and are proud to celebrate you this month!
Juan Cruz
