#52Women52Weeks: How Chen Mack is changing the health care landscape for Guam & for women

Chen Mack has been a director and shareholder of StayWell Insurance since 1986. In 2008, she took a more active role managing StayWell to form IHIAC, the holding company, and Island Home Insurance Company (IHIC), the underwriter. As of January 2015, she is now the President and Chief Executive Officer and sole owner of IHIAC, IHIC, and its subsidiaries.

1. You used to be a professional model in the 70’s. How does one go from entertainment and media to running the biggest commercial health insurance company in Guam?

   As a professional model, I had the privilege to tour many countries and to experience various cultures. In 1977, I married a businessman who was involved in the healthcare industry. We invested in a small healthcare company which grew to be a large and reputable healthcare provider in Guam and Saipan. It was through him that I learned the techniques of the industry. In 2015, I eventually became the sole owner and faced a daunting task. I summoned courage to overcome the challenges of driving one’s ideas across the corporate boardroom. Being at the helm of reinvigorating a company can be challenging. The company continues to strengthen and make significant progress because I have an outstanding team of managers and employees.

2. What was missing in the healthcare space that needed revamping?

   The access to affordable and responsible healthcare requires revamping. Every year, the cost of health services and medical supplies rise while we continue to see a significant part of the population remain uninsured. Those with access to health insurance do not take charge of their health. There is also a lack of the ability to educate the population to prevent chronic illnesses before these conditions lead to irreversible damage to the body.

3. What is current entrepreneurship like in Guam?

   Guam is an island with approximately 180,000 people. In comparison with business owners in the U.S. mainland, the entrepreneurs on Guam are confronted with dealing with a limited market which is highly competitive. The healthcare industry, in particular, is definitely not for someone who is risk averse. In my business, work is a juggling act of balancing the needs of clients, the requirements from regulators, the relationship with providers and the interest of the business.

4. You bought out all other StayWell shareholders to become the sole owner. How did that decision come about?

I was one of the original founders of the company but I always elected to remain in the background. The scope of our business had changed. I made an offer to buy out the remaining shareholders and eventually became the sole owner. This was very important to me because I have a commitment to the employees who worked hard for the company. More than half of my key managers have been with the company for over 20 years, while many have been with us for over a decade. It is the dedication and commitment of the employees that drive this company and made it successful.

5. What challenges have you faced as a woman CEO and sole owner in the healthcare industry?

In the health insurance industry on Guam, there are only 4 major players and it is a male dominated industry. I am very pleased to be the first woman health insurance sole owner/Administrator. At the work place, actions speak louder than words. As a woman CEO, my associates tell me they support how I arrive at tough decisions with graciousness. Deep inside, I know that these decisions are the result of my upbringing, my life experience, the desire to be competitive and the instinct to survive and succeed. My daily goal is to make sure I continuously drive my team’s passion for the company and to give back to the community.

I have always been a firm believer in giving and I have been seeking ways to return to the community. Guam holds a very special place in my heart. Some of the kindest people live on the island. I searched for a meaningful contribution and was made aware of the prevalence of diabetes on Guam which exceeds the United States. As a result, I have established the StayWell Foundation for Diabetes & Chronic Diseases. I look forward to the Foundation’s success in helping Guamanians with this disease.

Connect with StayWell HERE

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