URMIA Matters
URMIA Matters
Sue Liden Retires from URMIA
In this episode of URMIA Matters, Michelle Smith, URMIA’s Executive Director, interviews Sue Liden, URMIA’s soon to be retired (again!) Education Manger. Join us for a heartfelt conversation as we honor Sue on the eve of her retirement! From her early days in the military to building a proactive risk management program at Pacific Lutheran University, Sue shares inspiring stories of resilience, reinvention, and leadership. Discover her top tips for solo risk managers, the power of networking through URMIA, and why telling your story matters in this profession. Plus, get a peek behind the curtain at URMIA’s inner workings and hear what’s next for Sue as she embarks on new adventures. This episode is packed with wisdom, warmth, and a celebration of a career dedicated to higher education risk management—don’t miss it!
Show Notes
Guest
Sue Liden, Education Manager - URMIA
Guest Host
Michelle Smith, Executive Director - URMIA
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Jenny Whittington: [00:00:00] Hey there. Thanks for tuning in to URMIA Matters, a podcast about higher education, risk management, and insurance. Let's get to it.
Michelle Smith: Hello, URMIA friends. This is Michelle Smith, URMIA's Executive Director, on this episode of URMIA Matters. Today, we have the pleasure of hosting our URMIA Education Manager, Sue Liden, who has been with URMIA as a staff member since 2023, which was only days, weeks after retiring from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington, where she served as a wonderful member of the association and had just shortly previously served as the secretary for the URMIA board.
I also got to work with Sue [00:01:00] on one of my first conferences after coming to URMIA for the Seattle, we'll call it the COVID, post-COVID conference, the first one after the world shut down and came back together. And so, it has been my pleasure to work with Sue, really, since I came to URMIA six years ago. It is my distinct pleasure to welcome Sue to the URMIA Matters podcast today. Sue, say hello to our audience.
Sue Liden: Hello, everyone.
Michelle Smith: And Sue, could you tell us a little bit more about your career path? Like I totally left out your military service, how you found higher education risk management after your service, and what your transition looked like higher education risk management.
Sue Liden: Okay, well, my military service was decades ago, so we'll just leave it at that. I went into the army directly after I graduated from college. Thankfully, I was on an ROTC scholarship, so I did [00:02:00] the short tour. Four years. Said thank you for paying my way through college. My husband did 20, so even though I was out of the army, we moved every couple of years. This was back before the internet, so that will tell you how seasoned I am. So, there weren't a lot of jobs to do when you were moving every two years back then. So, I was fortunate and enjoyed being a stay at home mom and just got really involved in our community. So, fast forward about 15 years later, and we ended up in Western Washington, where my husband was assigned, and I started working at the local school district helping kids who needed extra help with math and reading. and that was great with fifth and sixth graders. Then they put me with kindergartners, and it was time for a new career.
So, that's how I found my way to higher ed and I actually started at Pacific Lutheran University as the Senior Admin Assistant to the Chief Financial Officer. And a year [00:03:00] after doing that, the individual who was at that time, the job title was Manager of Office of Finance and Operations, changed to a different job and they offered it to me. So, then I became the Manager of Office of Finance and Operations and Risk Management was about 25% of that job back in 2008. So, that's how I found my way to higher ed. And just to note to everybody, you can start a new career in your mid-forties. So, don't be discouraged if you're starting out in your forties.
Michelle Smith: Well, that's awesome. And thank you to yourself and to Lars for your service and as a military spouse and moving family around. I know that's not easy, so thank you from everyone at URMIA. So, it sounds like the position grew once you got to PLU, you grew in your transition into risk management in that role, but you were a solo risk manager, right? By the time you got that as your main chunk of your duties, how did you manage as a [00:04:00] solo risk manager?
Sue Liden: You learn to rely on others and other resources. Luckily, when I started in 2008, in that position, I inherited the URMIA membership. So, I think I was the, in that job for a month and a half and attended my first URMIA conference in Washington DC in 2008.And that's when I started to get to know people, learned what I didn't know, and then learned of all the great resources that were available and who helped, who would help. And I also learned to rely on my broker because one person, you can't do it all. And then you learn to re rely on campus colleagues. So, that's how I managed to be a solo risk manager, is URMIA, my broker, and then finding out those campus colleagues who will help you. So.
Michelle Smith: That sounds like a great community to, to build your new career on, and we're happy that [00:05:00] URMIA was a part of that and really thankful to have you as a member since that time. So, what would you say advancing risk management at a small institution looked like? Any tips or tricks that you have to share with our listeners that might be in a similar situation? We have a lot of solo risk managers. Many of them are at smaller schools just like you were.
Sue Liden: I learned a couple of things. First, starting out I learned that it was okay to say, I don't know the answer, or I'm not sure about that, let me do some research, or let's brainstorm together. You didn't ha, don't have to have all the answers. So, work with your colleagues. There's always somebody just put a post in the URMIA discussion group, somebody, can give you insight on what risks, anything that's happening on your campus. It's probably not the first time it's happened and somebody else has experience with it or something similar.
So, I learned that [00:06:00] and then learning to get out from my office and go meet people. So, you wanna make sure that the first time you meet people is not when they need you to help in a crisis, or when something has happened. So, getting out of the office and meeting them for just a cup of coffee, or for me a cup of tea, or go meeting them for that, or just walking around and seeing what's going on campus and saying, Hey, you know, I could help you with this. Here's some ideas. Let's team up together and make this a priority for our institution. And so, if, if you're bringing it from the risk perspective and they're bringing it from their perspective to their boss, sometimes you can get something started, a solution going.
Michelle Smith: That's awesome. Two really great tips. Appreciate you sharing those. I know many of our colleagues would say the same thing. That's a great way to get to know people and to advance the projects that you're working on, is to have a, a colleague across campus who can share it in their [00:07:00] circles as well. So, you, how long were you at PLU?
Sue Liden: Oh, 14 years.
Michelle Smith: 14 years. That's a career in and of itself. Appreciate your, your tenure there. And what would you say your proudest achievement was while you were there? Because, you know, you come in new, you're getting things started, you're picking up learning, and then you can really take off with some of your, your own projects. But what would you say was your, your biggest one, or one you were most proud of?
Sue Liden: I think the fact that we developed a risk management program, 'cause there really wasn't one that existed at PLU when I started. It was more a reactive program. We purchased insurance, collected waivers when they were used, and that was it. So, developing a program where people would come to me and ask, you know, I'm doing this, how can I help it? It meant getting in front of student leaders, faculty, I [00:08:00] always got to get in front of the new faculty at orientation. And just having people come to me, becoming a proactive instead of a reactive risk management program. I think that was, was the best, my bragging point, I guess so.
Michelle Smith: Yeah, it does take some time to build that up, and I'm sure you left it in great shape when you came to work with us here at URMIA. So, you've retired from there and you turn from a volunteer to a staff member here at URMIA. So, can you share with our audience maybe some peeks behind the curtain of what you have done over the last few years, and you know, don't spoil anything, don't give away all the secrets, but maybe just one thing that you think people might want to know that would be fun to share.
Sue Liden: Well, first of all, I had no idea how hard the URMIA staff works. I mean, we know they work hard, [00:09:00] but until I was part of the staff and watched everything as a conference chair, you're still not aware of all the work that goes into putting that conference together, or developing other educational content. So, I think understanding that helped. And then I would say, I think the work we've done with other higher ed associations, so that they're starting to reach out to us when they want content. I think URMIA is becoming known as the resource for risk management in higher ed. So, folks are becoming, other associations are becoming aware of us.
Michelle Smith: I think you're absolutely right. Those are two great traits of the URMIA staff and volunteers working with volunteers, the core part of the, some of the things you've been doing over the past few years, and you know, knowing what you know now after a few years. Right? What are some of the ways you think our members, you've seen our members take advantage of [00:10:00] as benefits of their URMIA membership? Or you wish they took more advantage of as part of their URMIA membership. So, any pro tips that you can share for them?
Sue Liden: Attend an annual conference. It's a great way to make connections and if you don't have it in your budget, URMIA has lots of scholarships available now, so don't let that be a hindrance. Do that. How I make connections with my peers was attending the institution type community conversations. When I started, they were only the in-person ones at annual conference, but we offer those throughout the year now. So, connect with folks. Identify who your peers are so you know who to call.
And volunteer. If you're an introvert, I was an introvert. Still am an introvert, but volunteer. Start out by just working the registration desk at a conference or helping on the library tagging project, you'll start to meet other people, start to identify peers, and it's a great way to get involved with URMIA. Moderate a [00:11:00] session, facilitate a community conversation. So, volunteer. That's the best way to get to take advantage of all your URMIA resources.
Michelle Smith: I could not agree more. All of those are great tips, and I think the annual conference is just a whole new ball game after maybe you've been online for a year and taking advantage of our virtual opportunities, and then you show up in person and it's just a whole, whole nother experience when you get to meet people that you've been working with and maybe in a committee or they've been sharing advice over the URMIA network. So, I agree that's a great opportunity to tie it all together. So.
So, you have 20 years of experience combined to bring all of your wisdom to this podcast. And is there one piece of advice that you would give to our new risk managers or our students that are potentially studying risk management and [00:12:00] insurance about the field?
Sue Liden: Learn how to tell your story, how to tell the story, and provide insights on possible risk mitigation stories. Tell your story how you got involved. Tell the story of the risk that's exposing. You know that your campus is exposed to learn how to tell that story. Give multiple risk mitigation opportunities. And then if your senior leadership ignores you, that's okay. You've made them aware of what they need to be aware of. They're making decisions based on their experience or what they know, the university, the direction they're going. And then don't say I told you so, if something goes wrong, just keep telling your story and you'll learn that credibility and they'll start listening to you. So.
Michelle Smith: That's right. Don't get frustrated. It'll take a couple times for sure, but that 30-second elevator speech is, is very important. Also, the connections that you make across that cup of coffee, or a cup of tea, [00:13:00] and being able to share. The work that you do, not only the tasky stuff, to just give them a picture of what that looks like, but also the impact that you have. Right?
We're removed once or twice from the students. We're not the student facing office on campus, but being able to share your story to those, especially that that do interact with students on a daily basis. And I'm so happy that you got the opportunity at PLU to be a part of orientation, 'cause interfacing with the families who are dropping off their students at the campus doorstep is, is really reassuring when you hear all the things that a campus is doing to keep their students safe and including, you know, so many different silos of things that we do. So.
Sue Liden: Yeah, I'll say that's one of the advantages of being at a smaller institution as you do have a lot more touch points with the campus community. And all it takes is helping one person [00:14:00] or one department through an event, event, or a crisis, and then they'll sing your praises across campus and all of a sudden, more folks are coming to you. So, beware of that because then all of a sudden you get to know everything. I would never tell folks, oh, I don't need to know that. I'd rather know it, and if it didn't impact me, that's okay. I didn't want them to stop coming to me, so.
Michelle Smith: Right. Oh, that's so nice. And such a, like heartwarming experience as well. And I, I would say different from many other risk management roles around the world. Being on campus is a special role in practicing the, the risk management profession is just very different when you're in that environment, I have to say. So, so, what's next, Sue? Tell us what you're planning for 2026 and beyond that is not URMIA related.
Sue Liden: Well, we just moved a couple of years ago to our new home here in southeast Idaho, so really getting out, doing some, exploring, some hiking, some [00:15:00] bike riding. We're close to two national parks, which is one of our passions. So, getting out there and instead of doing a quick trip through Yellowstone, spending two or three days in the different areas, and doing lots of hiking. And of course, spending time with my three grandsons. My daughters too, but mostly my grandsons. So, getting to go watch them, they're getting to that age where they're involved in lots of sports. So, going and cheering them on, while they still want grandma and grandpa around. So.
Michelle Smith: Of course. Of course. That's great. It sounds like you'll be very busy. I know you've kept very active during your three years here at URMIA and in your time off, and we've been happy to support that. And have you be a part of the URMIA team as a staff member, as a volunteer, as a board member. Thank you. Thank you so much. We really appreciate you. Hats off to Sue Liden, as she sails off into retirement, so at the beginning of [00:16:00] 2026. So, thank you, Sue. We appreciate you from all the URMIA members. Thanks for all your wisdom and sharing and your teaching, your teaching moments, whether they were long or short sessions, they will live on in our library of resources for sure. So, thank you so much, Sue. We really appreciate you.
Sue Liden: Thank you.
Michelle Smith: And that wraps another episode of URMIA Matters.
Narrator: You've been listening to URMIA Matters. You can find more information about URMIA at www.urmia.org. For more information about this episode, check out the show notes available to URMIA members in the URMIA Network Library.
