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By Mandy Haggerson

For the Clemmons Courier

From Leslie Sisell’s earliest memory, having compassion for animals was always a priority.

“We lived out in the country in Oklahoma, and oftentimes, a stray dog or cat would be dropped off on our property, and I always wanted to keep it,” Sisell said. “At one point, I even tried to encourage my mom to buy an adjacent lot to ours for it to serve as a rescue site.”

As Sisell grew older, she discovered that her innate ability to help others included humans as well. When she graduated from high school, she went to work for the telephone company, Southwestern Bell in customer service. During her 20 years at the company, she also became a mom to daughters Ashley, 42, and Caitlyn, 38.

“I was a single mom, but I felt very fortunate to work for a company where I was still able to get my girls to all their activities and school events,” Sisell said. “I have always been an independent person, and working hard was also an important lesson I wanted to pass on to my daughters. I always had a plan A and then a plan B when they were growing up to make sure it worked out.”

As Sisell watched her daughters grow older and come into their own, she met her future husband, Randy, through mutual friends.

“We started a long-distance relationship with him being in North Carolina, and I was still in Oklahoma at that time,” Sisell said. “After about 18 months, we decided that I would move to be closer to him. During that time, I also had started going back to school to get my college degree in business administration. When I moved, I focused on that full time until I graduated. After I earned my degree, I taught algebra and geometry in high-risk schools.”

Realizing how much she missed customer service and sales, Sisell decided to relocate to the Winston-Salem area and began working for Blue Cross Blue Shield in the Medicare division.

“My daughters were in college, and I knew that I wanted to help people through the process,” Sisell said. “Everyone is nervous about the process of turning 65 and what that means for their health needs. It helped me learn a lot and be able to pass that knowledge onto others, which I really enjoy.”

After working directly for Blue Cross, Sisell went to work for a field marketing organization to help grow their Medicare division to recruit and train agents.

“Working with people to help them get what they need to do their job is something I enjoy tremendously,” Sisell said. “Connecting people and providing resources is empowering, and it lets people know that you’re invested. I realized after that position that I wanted to go out and start my own agency to help others through the process of getting their Medicare insurance. In 2018, I began what has been a rewarding and enjoyable experience of helping clients understand the Medicare process and also supporting them after they have selected their plans.

“I’ve made lifelong friends from it too. Even if someone is not my client and they have questions or concerns, I’m always there to be a resource so that people can get exactly what they deserve to take care of themselves. I think every agent should do that, regardless of if they make any money from it. It’s the right thing to do when you possess the knowledge to be of help to someone in your community.”

Doing the right thing in your community also means Sisell helping animals again.

“I saw a post on social media about a mother cat and five kittens for a local organization, the Animal Rescue and Adoption Foundation (AARF), that said she would be euthanized if a foster could not step up and help,” Sisell said. “I took a leap of faith and offered to help foster her and her babies. I still have that mama kitty, Harper Lee, and I’m so glad that I did. I found out how rewarding the fostering experience truly is, and have met some amazing people along the way who have become lifelong friends.

“The processes that they have in place at AARF to support fosters are incredible. I would encourage anyone thinking of helping that now is the time to try it. You just need to have a spare bathroom to get started, and they will help with the rest. Rescues like AARF, St. Furever Freedom Animal Rescue, and Blue Whiskers need help so that they can make an impact in areas of our state that are drowning with abandoned animals. The euthanasia rate is horrific, and the only way they can help is if they get support from fosters in our community. We also need to come together and support spay and neuter programs too, both financially and with volunteer help.”

Whether she’s taking in a foster or helping a client through the Medicare process, Sisell says it all boils down to being a good human.

“My business plan has always been pretty simple,” Sisell said. “Do the right thing, and it always works out. Also, I try to have a little fun along the way.

“With having met so many great people through work and rescue, I’ve tried new things like go-karting and zip lining. I have a fear of heights, but for me, zip lining is still doable. It’s always fun to share a new adventure in my downtime.

“If I’m not ziplining, though, I’m likely at the Jerry Long YMCA. There’s a great group out there that likes to work out regularly, and I’ve enjoyed making friends.

Cultivating friendships, connecting people, and getting endorphins is how Sisell finds recharging to be a win-win for everyone.