2023 Trusted Advisers: Deena Williams

With 14 years of experience behind her, Deena Williams of DFG Insurance says she utilizes her knowledge of the industry to advise, but more importantly empower, her clients.

Williams works with them to establish various insurance plans, such as health, life, Medicare, disability and long-term care. She says she values her role in guiding and educating her clients on a plan that is unique to them.

Williams says she also strives to uphold the value of integrity when it comes to working with her clients: “I will never make up an answer. I will never tell someone what they want to hear just to get the sale. I am honest and act with integrity. I want my clients to feel I will always go above and beyond to protect them and the ones they love.”

Williams recognizes the importance of setting financial expectations for small-business owners and entrepreneurs.

“Many times, business owners have been able to hire more employees because I created an affordable and attractive benefits package,” she says.

Additionally, she utilizes her expertise of the federal Health Insurance Marketplace to present her clients with options they otherwise may not have been aware of. She says she recognizes the importance of employee retention and benefits to a company’s success and is devoted to providing her clients with the assistance to make this possible.

“Whether the company wishes to save money, change networks, educate their employees or offer benefits for the first time,” she says, “I walk them through every step and continue to service the policy once it is in force.”

Authenticity is also something that Williams values. She says she works to create personalized experiences for her clients to build trust as she navigates trends and challenges within the insurance industry.

“It is meaningful to me to have a face-to-face relationship with as many of my clients as possible,” she says.

She adds that she plans to keep her brick-and-mortar office. She says this has been crucial to the growth and success of her business and, more importantly, the success of her clients.

Another aspect of Williams’ work that she takes pride in is the respect shared with other business professionals.

“I have always believed it is better to work together as a community of insurance professionals rather than view each other as a threat,” she says. “There is plenty of opportunity for everyone to be successful, and the more we work together, the more we can keep the clients’ needs first and protect the reputation of agents as a whole.”

Williams is a member of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals and has also served as past president, secretary and membership committee member of Business Networking International.

Additionally, she continues to maintain her annual America’s Health Insurance Plans designation through the national association for health care services.