Nicole Santana

As a child, I thought for sure I’d be a teacher or librarian someday. Books and learning are my greatest passions. I attended the University of Maine at Farmington, intent on majoring in secondary education with an English concentration. However, I decided on Community Health Education with minors in nutrition and exercise science. I was never particularly athletic and hated gym class in school, so this was a surprising choice. I credit the instructors who taught the Strength and Conditioning class I took in my first semester with showing me that fitness could be fun. I worked in my chosen field for two years after graduating, and obtained the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) certification from the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing. From 2009-2011, I served in the United States Army Reserve near Denver, Colorado and was honorably discharged due to family necessity when my now ex-husband was reassigned to his aviation unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He deployed overseas shortly thereafter and I chose to leave the workforce to stay home with our children. Military service, marriage to a non-commissioned officer and raising children prepared me well for my future career in customer service. To succeed, you must learn how to pick your battles and the importance of compromise. Several years in hospitality, sales and marketing further enhanced my approach to communicating with customers. I’ve been fortunate to find work that allows me to combine my passions, education and experience. I truly love connecting clients with resources and helping them navigate the often-confusing worlds of healthcare and employee benefits. In my leisure time I enjoy the outdoors, practice yoga & meditation, and read.