Joanna Lawler, SPHR, SHRM-SCP
Chief Operating Officer
Phone: 503-210-2305
Email: jlawler@frinellrisk.com
What I do at Frinell Risk: I wear a number of hats focusing on our back office operations, including working with our great people, streamlining our processes, as well as administration and finance. My background is in Human Resources and Operational Management and I am passionate about removing roadblocks so that our employees can focus on taking care of our clients.
When I am not at work: I have had a passion for the various Polynesian cultures of the South Pacific since before I could talk. Most of my free time is spent as a Polynesian dance performer with a local troupe. I perform with our group in the styles of Hawaiian hula, Tahitian ori, and Maori poi, and I am training to dance with fire. I also serve as Upo’o or leader/helper for our troupe, helping new students feel comfortable as they start dancing with us.
My family: I have an adorable 1 ½ year old Australian Labradoodle that is my fur kid. I love to take her on long hikes and romps in the park.
Interesting fact about myself: I set a goal when I was young to work for companies that were leaders in working with customers, and had the opportunity to work for Disney twice in my career. It was a ton of fun, but what I learned from my time with Disney has been valuable to me in every position I have held since.
Favorite book or movie: My favorite book is The Four Agreements, a book about self-limiting beliefs that many of us hold, that rob us of joy in our lives. My favorite movie is an unusual one….Disney’s Super Dad, a little known 1974 Disney movie with a very young Kurt Russell.
Guests at my dream dinner party: Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, Chef Gordon Ramsey, Hinatea Colombani (Tahitian Culture expert), Tumata Robinson (famous Tahitian dance teacher and costume designer)
What I enjoy most about the insurance industry is that we provide a needed service that helps our clients do what they do best. We help our clients avoid risks so they can keep running their business, and if something unexpected happens, we help our clients so they can get back to business.