Taneya Pearson finds great things come to those who give
Updated August 21, 2018 . AmFam Team
With two demanding jobs, countless volunteer hours and being a mom of three, Taneya Pearson knows that the more she gives, the more she heals. And through her volunteering work, she is inspiring youth and young adults to speak up against bullying and stay strong while pursuing their dreams.
My name is Taniya Pearson I've been protecting dreams with American family for about 16 years now.
My role puts me in a unique position to protect customers dreams because I am the first contact when they have a crisis.
I calmed them down, I listened to them and I let them know that they are important not just to me, not just to the company, but they're an important being.
My work with youth and young adults has helped me pursue my dreams because it's given me a platform to reach out to the kids who need help and when I say need help they need role models.
There's an organization called Big Brothers Big Sisters. We go to the park, we go to ball games.
It's about getting into these kids minds and helping them understand how important they are and push them to do positive things in the world.
I help our youth and young adults who suffer from temptation of suicide and lack of self-love.
I just tried to show as much love to the kid as I possibly can but in the same time I try to teach them just because you're in this situation doesn't mean that you have to stay at this situation, you don't have to.
I wrote don't count me out to inspire kids that have been picked on to speak up.
I'm proud to be an American family employee because our customers they depend on us and when they're in a crisis.
They need to feel like they're protected and if there's a need for help I'm willing to help.
I'm here for a reason and I'm gonna be about my purpose
[Music]
On a typical evening, you’ll find Taneya on the phone helping American Family Insurance customers with auto and property insurance claims, assisting them start to finish and providing peace of mind through stressful times.
Taneya’s path has not been easy, and she gives from a deep and very personal place. When she was 15, her brother’s bully’s friend hit her with his car – while the bully fought with her brother in the street; Taneya’s brother was also hit by the car.
“I was hospitalized for several weeks and had to relearn how to walk, talk, eat and deal with my new facial abnormalities,” she recalled. But instead of focusing on the trauma and questioning “why,” Taneya chose to embrace the long healing process with reflection on the good things in her life. And rather than drown in grief and sadness, she adopted her own personal “life vest” and began pursuing her own dreams.
“I put my best foot forward and started to excel in school,” she said. “After I graduated high school, I went to college where I received an associate’s degree in business management and learned the ins and outs of operating a business. This new journey seemed fun, and I wanted to learn more.” Taneya went on to earn bachelor’s degree in business administration and then an MBA.
Then in 2017, 21 years after the tragic accident, Taneya was able to forgive her brother’s bully and his friend. “I forgave them and finally started living my dream,” she said.
“My passion is guiding and helping our youth and young adults to see their greatness.” Taneya decided to help children and young adults to learn their self-worth and how to overcome their low-spirited moments.
Today, in addition to working for American Family, Taneya is the CEO of Taneya Pearson, LLC (Opens in a new tab), serving as a mental health and suicide-prevention speaker, writer, author, leadership expert, entrepreneur and mentor. She wrote Don’t Count Me Out (Opens in a new tab), a children’s book about bullying and runs “She Listens by Taneya Pearson,” a discussion group that empowers and inspires girls and young women. “We encourage our girls to dig deeper and embrace their passions,” she said.
Taneya is also a big sister at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and volunteers at local homeless shelters, children’s centers, schools, social clubs, crisis centers and more.
“I encourage everyone to be kind to one another and never give up on your dreams,” Taneya said. “You are never too old to start something new. And you have value to offer the world––because you matter.”
This article is for informational purposes only and based on information that is widely available. We do not make any guarantees or promise any results based on this information. We are not responsible for the content of any third-party sites that may be linked in this article.
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