I am thrilled to announce that the Getting to Know series will be sponsored by TEC Services Group in 2024. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com.
It might look like Jessica Kagansky would like to do anything other than talk to you, but she wants you to know that she is very friendly. And if you can get past what people call her resting mean face, you’ll find someone who wants nothing more than to be helpful. That is, if you’re lucky to catch her when she’s not on the road at another concert or improv show. Read on to learn more about Jessica, how many more concerts she went to last year than you did, and how her spidey sense is her superpower.
Name: Jessica Kagansky
Job Title: SVP, Risk Management
Company: Crown Asset Management, LLC
Length of time at current company: Nearly 12 years
Length of time in industry: 27 years. I started as a rookie bill collector when I was 18 and never left. Thanks for totally dating me with this question, Mikey G. 😊
How did you get your start in the industry?
A close family friend recruited me.
What is your career highlight so far?
In my career, the true highlights have been witnessing the growth and success of individuals I’ve mentored and managed. There’s an unmatched fulfillment in seeing a mentee excel or a team member advance under your guidance. I try to be the type of leader who empowers others to realize their potential, and it’s in their achievements that I find the greatest sense of accomplishment.
When or how are you most productive?
I am most productive early in the morning before the day gets too crazy. I function best when I have a little time in the morning to plan out my day. Now, it’s not uncommon for that plan to go completely sideways by 9:30 AM as an inevitable fire sparks up, but having a plan helps me quickly get back on track as soon as the fire is contained.
Which industry professional do you admire most?
I would be hard-pressed to identify the one industry professional I admire most because there are so many highly skilled people I’ve encountered throughout my career. I can say though without a doubt that the group of industry professionals I most admire are the talented women and men I have the privilege of working alongside at Crown. I am constantly impressed by their generosity, integrity, humility, dedication, and drive. This culture begins at the top and permeates throughout the organization. I consider myself extremely fortunate to work alongside these individuals every day.
What is one thing you do better than everyone else?
I don’t know about “better than everyone else,” but I know that my superpower is seeing around corners. I’m skilled at anticipating what’s coming next and proactively developing plans to prepare for it.
What do you like most about this industry?
This industry is always evolving, and that fast-paced change constantly brings new challenges and new puzzles to figure out. It’s never, ever dull.
The Getting to Know Series is Sponsored By:
What is one thing you wish you could change about this industry?
Public perception. It seems both regulators and the general public have far-outdated ideas about who we are, how we operate, and where we fit as a necessary part of the financial ecosystem.
If you weren’t in this industry, what would you be doing?
Oh, I’d probably just be a struggling performance artist on a stage somewhere just trying to make people laugh.
Describe a typical work day.
I usually start my day between 7:00 and 7:30. I check my calendar, emails, and deliverables, and map out my plan for the day. Then I’m off to the races attending various conference calls and meetings, and spending time managing the reporting/documentation associated with our Enterprise Risk Management program. My role is highly consultative and enterprise-wide, so I’m often pulled in many different directions by the various departments in the organization.
What is your guilty pleasure?
My hobbies are my guilty pleasures. I’m fortunate that my husband and I share the same hobbies, so we get to pursue them together. We allocate a ridiculous amount of time and energy indulging in the things that bring us joy. Our favorite hobby is enjoying the performing arts. This includes not just attending a ton of music concerts and festivals – nearly 40 last year – but also, we have a fondness for Broadway plays and musicals and the touring productions of these shows. Additionally, we absolutely adore immersing ourselves in the wonderfully weird world of improvisational theatre (“improv comedy”). We love watching it; we love performing it. Our love for the performing arts is often complemented by our second favorite hobby, which is traveling. We love adventuring and we couple our two favorite hobbies whenever possible. We spend a lot of weekends hitting the road or catching a flight to go to some show somewhere.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
It’s hard to narrow it down to “the best” so I’ll give you the three that seem to be the most pertinent in my life today:
- Do the right thing when nobody’s looking.
- Happy people do what makes them happy.
- Fail forward.
What are you currently reading?
“Art by Committee” by Chana Halpern
“Truth in Comedy” by Charna Halpern and Del Close
What is one fact you’d like everyone in the industry to know about you?
People tell me that my resting face looks like I’m mean and unapproachable. I promise I’m not. It’s just my face. I don’t bite.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
DeAnna Busby-Rast (Authentica Group)
The Getting to Know series is sponsored by TEC Services Group. TEC Services Group is the leading technology and professional services firm in the credit collections industry offering both leading industry solutions along with unrivaled, unbiased, and experienced support. TEC is now extending its services by offering proven, industry-leading technology solutions alongside of our Professional Services to help Clients feel confident in their technology decisions. Learn more at ww.tecsg.com
