It takes a certain level of empathy and care to succeed in the insurance industry — what we do matters, as we make real changes to improve and support people’s lives. Cindy Kien, CFO of Phoenix Star Insurance Agency, knows how important it is to cultivate these service-centered environments where agents can grow and thrive.
To better understand Cindy, you must know about her passion for gardening. In addition to her abundant flower and vegetable plants, she has dozens of tropical fruit trees growing in her backyard. She tends to these plants and enjoys the fruit of her labor both metaphorically and physically! It takes hard work, commitment, nurture and the right conditions to make a tree bear fruit. And just as Cindy gives her garden the right kind of attention, she does the same for her agents and her community.
When Cindy joined her husband, Allan Ly, in the insurance industry, they were still in college and trying to figure out the business while balancing class and homework. But through hard work and determination, they laid the groundwork of their business, planting the seeds of success. Because of those experiences, Cindy makes it her mission to guide new agents, investing time to teach them how to grow and tend their businesses. But she also sees a need for mentorship outside of the office as well.
Cindy was six when her family immigrated from Vietnam. While her parents focused on supporting a family of five, she started school without knowing any English and spent a lot of time catching up to her peers and adapting to her new home. Now as an established leader in the community, Cindy looks back on those experiences and invests in groups making a difference — particularly the nonprofits Girls Inc. and Thomas House Shelter.
Through Girls Inc., Cindy is making sure young women are given the mentorship and support services she wishes she had when she first started going to school. Through Thomas House Shelter, she is helping homeless families find stable and affordable housing, jobs and other services to give them a foothold on restarting their own lives.
As an Integrity partner, Cindy is joining a team of fellow leaders and mentors who are just as passionate about making a difference as she is. Together, we are so excited to see just how far Phoenix Star Insurance Agency will grow and how big of an impact they will have on their community. Check out Cindy’s garden and her growing team in her announcement video!