At R.E. Chaix & Associates, we strive to ensure that every employee is appreciated, acknowledged, and recognized for their achievements. This Employee Spotlight series aims to celebrate success and highlight the talented individuals we have at this company. Each quarter we’ll be featuring Chaix employees on our website, blog and social accounts.

Please join us in congratulating Leslie Lekarczyk, our Employee Spotlight!

After transitioning from a teaching career, Leslie entered the insurance industry in 2014 when a chance meeting with a member of the Chaix family led to a full-time receptionist role at R.E. Chaix. A proud CSUF Titan alumna, she soon found her place in the accounting department, where her love for math, problem-solving, and teamwork helped her grow into a dependable and knowledgeable team member.

Leslie is known for her communication, consistency, and clarity, playing a key role in supporting both local and overseas accounting operations. She takes pride in anticipating potential issues, finding solutions, and ensuring smooth collaboration across departments.

Outside of work, Leslie enjoys hip-hop and Zumba dance, kayaking, and volunteering with foster children in Orange County. A dedicated foodie, she loves exploring new dishes and cultures. Over the past decade, she has found fulfillment not only in mastering insurance and accounting but also in mentoring others and fostering teamwork within R.E. Chaix.

Her supervisor, Tracy Spencer, shared:

“Leslie and I have worked together since she began at R.E. Chaix. Her efforts make a positive impact on our accounting team’s success. She’s always willing to assist, train, and help with a wonderful attitude. Thank you for your hard work and dedication.”

To get to know more about Leslie, we asked her a couple of questions about herself and her time at R.E. Chaix:

Q&A with Leslie

Q: What initially brought you to the insurance industry?
A: After my teaching career, I was seeking full time employment, and a member of the Chaix family connected with me at a mutual friend’s daycare and offered me a full-time receptionist position at RE Chaix in 2014. I think being a CSUF Titan alumni helped as RE Chaix is heavily connected with CSUF.

Q: In what ways do you think your unique background or experiences contribute to your success in your role?
A: I enjoy math and connecting with others and helping as a peacemaker, so accounting made total sense when I slid into our accounting dept. Solving problems every day brings me joy and I enjoy the challenge, while sharing/teaching our overseas team simultaneously.

Q: Can you share a particularly challenging situation you faced in your career and how you overcame it?
A: Challenging clients and policy status issues or difficult numbers always make me nervous, but I stick to it and apply myself to the resources, communication with management as needed, and the numerical facts to present a solution to all parties while educating everyone as to why it works. Presenting the facts to the client in black and white with easy numbers and breakdowns help to explain to everyone and make it easier in the end.

Q: If you could describe your approach to teamwork in three words, what would they be and why?
A: Communication, Consistency, and Clarification.

Those are key in accounting, and they go hand in hand with each other. Our team communicates daily overseas and the more clarity I can provide and receive, the better! Consistency helps our team to stay on top of all accounts and knowledgeable.

Q: What do you think sets you apart, and how does it benefit your team?
A: I do the research on an account when needed to provide clarity to myself and others in the organization and know which solutions or resources to access when needed quickly. I am always thinking 5 steps ahead to prevent future questions or doubt.

Q: Who has been the biggest influence or mentor in your life, and what valuable lessons have you learned from them?
A: My high school Spanish teacher has become a life mentor for me, and we still keep in touch. She always instilled hard work and dedication in her students with grace and professionalism. I also learned to speak Spanish fluently because of her!

Q: What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career so far, and what did it teach you?
A: I’ve enjoyed learning insurance and accounting in the last decade and having an overseas team in accounting to train and work with has been a great and rewarding experience for me.

Q: What are some hobbies you do outside of work that you enjoy?
A: I enjoy Hip hop and Zumba dance as well as kayaking and serving and working with foster children in Orange County, CA. I am also a huge foodie! (which is why the need to dance!)

Leslie, your dedication and focus have been key to the success of your team and the company. We’re excited to see your continued success!