Meet Tanya Waters – Leading with Purpose, Power, and Heart in Risk Management

BLOOM Magazine had the privilege of sitting down with Tanya Waters, Denny’s Director of Risk Management, RIMS-CRMP.

Tanya Waters is a woman of many hats, leveraging over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry to manage Denny’s entire Self-Insured Insurance Program for all company-owned restaurants in the United States. 

Her role involves close collaboration with brokers on coverage placement and with TPAs on claims management, litigation, and vendor management. Additionally, she serves as Secretary for the Western Carolina RIMS Chapter and actively participates in Denny’s DEI Council, chairing the Women’s Leadership Business Resource Group and contributing to the LGBTQ+ Business Resource Group.

Reflecting on her extensive career, Tanya shared, "I have been part of the insurance community for 25+ years in various roles on the client side as well as the carrier side. I started my career as a workers’ compensation adjuster and then pivoted to a claims manager role. I continued my insurance path as a risk manager for a grocery store chain and a liability unit manager on the carrier side before joining Denny’s approximately nine years ago."

When asked about her favorite part of the job, Tanya responded with enthusiasm, "The people! At Denny’s, we love to feed peoples—body, mind, and soul." Interestingly, Tanya did not always envision a career in risk management. "No, I took the trade route after high school and obtained a paralegal degree. It landed me a position as a worker’s compensation adjuster, and I learned I loved the interaction with people and assisting them in navigating their claim," she revealed.

Success in her role, according to Tanya, requires an inquisitive mindset, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills. One of the most important lessons she has learned over her career is to "lean in when opportunities present themselves. Don’t be afraid to raise your hand and take on a stretch assignment or an opportunity for advancement even when you feel you may not have every qualification needed."

A typical week for Tanya involves a multitude of tasks and interactions. "Way too many meetings that could be an email," she joked. "Working closely with my field partners; district managers and human resources on guest and employee incidents. Collaborating with our defense attorneys and TPA on litigation strategy. Ongoing discussions with our broker on renewal strategies. Managing our claim processes to ensure adherence to our service instructions. Lots of interaction with our injured workers and guests."

One of the most significant changes she has observed in the field since she started is the abundance of data. "You must know what the data means and how to effectively use it," she emphasized. Currently, one of the major issues keeping industry professionals up at night is cybersecurity. On a more personal note, Tanya revealed, "I appear to many people as an extrovert, but I am very introverted and must work harder in social settings." Despite her cautious nature as an insurance professional, she once braved a cenote during a family vacation in Mexico, describing it as "scary and invigorating all at the same time."

Her best career advice? "Venture outside of your comfort zone." In her downtime, she enjoys spending time with her family—cooking, camping, being outdoors, and enjoying lazy lake and beach days. Starting her day by prioritizing her to-do list, Tanya ensures she has time to breathe and reflect. Despite her adventurous aspirations, such as parasailing, her aversion to heights has kept her grounded. Describing herself as "perfectly imperfect, inquisitive, and kind," Tanya believes her biggest strength is her self-awareness. When meeting someone for the first time, she always notices their smile.

One of the most significant learning experiences for Tanya has been overcoming her internal voice that could lead her astray. Balancing work and life, or as she prefers to call it, work/life harmony, involves deciding what is important and being present in those moments.

Reflecting on happiness, Tanya shared, "I am lucky enough to say I have had a life of happiness so far; many different chapters and I have enjoyed all of them and look forward to the next." If stranded on a deserted island, Tanya would bring her family, her dogs, and a bottle of expensive champagne. Looking ahead, she believes the industry will evolve significantly in the next five years, blending data science, automation, and artificial intelligence due to the declining interest among youth in insurance careers.

Tanya Waters’ journey and insights offer a captivating glimpse into the dynamic field of risk management, highlighting the importance of adaptability, strategic thinking, and the human element in the ever-evolving landscape of the insurance industry.