Employee Spotlight- Karen Canary

Talk to us about your professional background before Steele. What kind of career did you lead? For 33 years, I was the corporate treasurer and director of benefits at Clark Pleasant Schools. I worked with Steve Sonntag there.

When and how did you get involved with Steele Benefits? Wes asked me to join Steele when I was getting ready to retire from Clark Pleasant. I asked him ‘what part of retire don’t you understand?’ We laughed but talked some more. I wasn’t sure that I wanted to work full-time, so I work a few days a week and I love it. I have been here since 2015 and I am working with Steve again!

How has your role evolved since then? I was going to be in sales when I started because of all the friendships I acquired in the school arena. However, I am not a salesperson, so I worked with enrollment and payroll. I assist Steve now, send out contracts, and invoices, and monitor our enrollers’ and Steele teams’ insurance licenses.

Do you have a favorite Steele memory? It has been fun all along. Mike Steele was always a hoot to work with.

Why do you stay at Steele? I stay at Steele because I like being around people. I like what I do. I really enjoy my job!

Outside of work, what kind of hobbies do you have? Grandkids and great-grandchildren. I am involved in my church both here and in Florida. I am a snowbird. I also love to sing. I also love to cook.

What is an interesting fact not many people know about you?  I love sports! I love the NFL (Colts especially, sorry Blink!) I also love college sports, especially IU!

What advice would you give to yourself at age 15? Back in my day, women did not go to college often. I would have told myself to get a higher education.

What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee Matthew McConaughey- I have always liked him.

What is the most daring thing you have ever done? When I was sixteen, I told my dad that my friend and I were going to get a coke down the road. It was snowing so bad, and the roads were terrible. However, we did not go to get a coke, we drove to see my boyfriend in the blinding snow. My dad was surprised at how long it took for us to get a drink. I just explained that the roads were bad…

If you had a time machine, would you travel to the future or back to the past? I would go back to the past- back when my kids were younger.

What would you do if you had a magic wand? I would wave it and change the world back to the way it was when I grew up. Back to a time when violence against each other was minimal. Your parents could let you go outside and play if you were home when the streetlights came on. Knowing all the other parents were watching you and would report to your parents.