Employee Spotlight: Cheryl Baker

Please join us in congratulating Cheryl Baker, our Employee Spotlight for the month of October!

Here at Inszone, one of our missions is to make sure that every employee is appreciated, acknowledged, and recognized for their achievements. This 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.

Cheryl Baker’s story proves that it’s never too late to start something new. After more than 20 years in the school system, she chose to take a leap. A chance meeting at Costco with Hauke Hansen, then owner of Hawks View and now NW Region VP, sparked it all. She joked that if he ever opened an office in Shelton, she’d come work for him — and when that office was announced, Cheryl didn’t let the moment pass. She reached out, and her insurance career began. Since then, she has grown through every change along the way, from Hawks View to Inszone and now to the Carrier Integration Team. Rather than fear change, Cheryl meets it with adaptability, a positive attitude, and a commitment to keep moving forward.

Her journey started long before insurance. As a young mom with little confidence, Cheryl was encouraged by her daughter’s Head Start teacher to consider working at the school. She wasn’t sure it was possible, but she gave it a try — beginning as a volunteer, becoming a substitute, and working her way up to center secretary. Her lesson is one we can all carry: with belief in yourself and consistent effort, you can accomplish more than you ever imagined. She draws strength from her grandmother, who showed her that you can build an amazing career while caring deeply for your family.

Today, Cheryl’s gift for building relationships and her belief that great teams are built on connection, support, and trust remind us that we accomplish more when we lift each other up. Outside the office, her heart is with the people she loves: her husband of 35 years, two daughters, and three grandchildren. When you take the chance, trust the process, and surround yourself with the right people, there’s no limit to where you can go.

Cheryl Baker is the definition of a team player. She is always there for her teammates with whatever questions come up and brings light and positive energy to our team on a daily basis. Her attention to detail when handling a transfer is superb — she is extremely thorough and makes sure to handle a transfer item with the utmost care. She’s also innovative — the presentation she created for explaining the carrier transfer process to the branch leads is something we’re looking to replicate with the rest of the team. Cheryl is not afraid to jump on a call with our branch members and help them with any items necessary. Thank you, Cheryl, for all the support you lend to your team and to our branches!

Tania Gasca

Direct Supervisor

I had the pleasure of hiring Cheryl back when we were still our own agency “Hawks View Insurance”, and her impact was immediate. Cheryl brings a genuinely positive attitude to everything she does and is always eager to help anyone through any situation. If she does not have the answer, she will find out how she can help. Her positive and “Team First” approach quickly became a staple of our culture.

While Cheryl earned her full agent license, her true passion was never in the technical side of insurance. It was supporting people. She became the go-to resource for our team and the heart of our customer care “wow factor,” so much so that her title was Director of Welcome.

When we merged, that role didn’t carry over in the same form, but Cheryl’s talents did. She transitioned into our Carrier Integrations department, where she has thrived ever since. It has always been a pleasure to have Cheryl on our team, and I have no doubt her colleagues in Carrier Integrations feel the same way. Congratulations, Cheryl, this recognition is well deserved!

Hauke Hansen

Regional VP, NW Region

In Her Own Words

What initially brought you to the insurance industry?

I spent more than 20 years working in the school system in various administrative assistant roles. When COVID disrupted everything, it gave me time to reflect. By the time we were preparing to return to the office, I realized I was ready for a change.

A few years earlier, I had spoken with Hauke Hansen, the former owner of Hawks View and current NW Region VP. At the time, Hawks View only had offices in Silverdale, Port Orchard, and Port Hadlock. I ran into him at Costco, and we briefly talked about how Hawks View was growing with the recent opening of the Port Hadlock office. I jokingly told him that if he ever opened an office in Shelton, I would come to work for him.

When I saw that he was opening the Shelton office, I reached out — and that is where my journey in the insurance industry began.

In what ways do you think your unique background or experiences contribute to your success in your role?

Throughout both my personal and professional life, I have learned that everyone brings something different to the table. Each person has unique strengths, perspectives, and experiences that can contribute to a team’s success.

I believe success comes from recognizing those differences, understanding that we all have strengths and weaknesses, and working together toward a shared goal. When people collaborate and support one another, amazing things can be accomplished.

Can you share a particularly challenging situation you faced in your career and how you overcame it?

I cannot think of one specific challenge, but there is one recurring challenge I have faced many times throughout my career: change.

While I worked in the education system, every year brought change. When I joined Hawks View, there was not a clearly defined position waiting for me — my role continued to grow and evolve over time. Then Hawks View merged with Inszone, which brought another major change. Later, I moved to the Carrier Integration Team, requiring me to adapt once again.

Change is always happening, whether we see it coming or not. I believe how we respond to change determines how we move forward. My ability to adapt, stay positive, and keep moving ahead is what has helped me overcome those challenges.

If you could describe your approach to teamwork in three words, what would they be and why?

My three words would be connection, support, and trust.

Connection: No one can do or know everything. Each person brings something valuable to the table, and strong connections help bring those strengths together.

Support: A successful team supports one another. I believe you need to show up for your team in the same way you hope they will show up for you.

Trust: Trust creates the comfort needed to work together, ask questions, and ask for help when needed. When a team has connection, support, and trust, they can become truly unstoppable.

What do you think sets you apart, and how does it benefit your team?

I believe my greatest strength is relationship building. Strong relationships create trust, improve communication, and help a team work together more effectively. When people feel connected and supported, they are more comfortable collaborating, sharing ideas, and working through challenges together.

Who has been the biggest influence or mentor in your life, and what valuable lessons have you learned from them?

My grandma has been the biggest influence on who I am today. She did it all — she worked, raised a family, and was always there for her friends and loved ones. She was the strongest woman I knew, and she showed me that it was possible to care deeply for family while also building an amazing career. I strive every day to rise to her example, and someday I hope to get there.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career so far, and what did it teach you?

One accomplishment I am especially proud of is how I began my career in the school system. I was a very young mom and did not have much confidence at the time. When my oldest child was three, she was part of a Head Start program, and her teacher encouraged me to consider working at the school.

I was not sure it was possible, but I decided to give it a try. I started as a volunteer, then became a substitute for our center, and eventually worked my way into the center secretary position. That experience taught me that with belief in myself and consistent effort, I can accomplish more than I ever imagined.

What are some hobbies you do outside of work that you enjoy?

I wish I could say I belonged to a sports team or led a community club or charity, but most of my time outside of work is spent with family and friends. I love spending time with my husband of 35 years. I also have two beautiful daughters and three amazing grandchildren, and I have had the honor of watching them grow. I enjoy spending as much time with them as possible.

Saturdays are typically spent running errands with my Big Sister. I am also grateful for a wonderful group of friends who gather whenever we can for dinners, weekend adventures, and a yearly trip where we laugh until we cry.

Congratulations, Cheryl!

Your positive spirit, gift for building relationships, and commitment to lifting others up make a lasting impact on every team you’re part of.

We’re grateful for all you do and are proud to celebrate you this month.