5 Questions with Teresa Whiteman

Teresa Whiteman is no stranger to the finance and insurance industry, with positions at organizations such as Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Insurance Company and Medica Health Insurance Company under her belt. Now, Whiteman has “the best job ever” — advising Grinnell students as they explore careers in investment banking, entrepreneurship, insurance, consulting, corporate functions, and related fields as Grinnell College’s Director of Business and Finance Career Community.

Whiteman moved around a lot as a child, as her mom was in the military, but grew up primarily in Lincoln, Nebraska. She attended Doane College and later earned her MBA at Creighton University, after which she began her corporate career.

To Whiteman, business is an art form. While what they produce may differ drastically, Whiteman argues that business endeavors and artistic creation are both a process of “creating something that didn't exist before.” Thus, Whiteman encourages students not to underestimate the importance of creativity and experimentation in business. 

Whiteman lives in Waukee, Iowa, with her husband Tom and their son Owen, who recently started kindergarten. 

You recently joined Grinnell College as the Director of Business and Finance Career Community. Are there any aspects of working at Grinnell that have surprised you?

The students have been my biggest surprise, in the best possible way. They are exceptionally bright, bring a wide range of meaningful experiences to the table, and are incredibly driven when it comes to pursuing their goals and shaping their futures. 

You spent years working in the insurance and finance world. What made you decide to use your experience to help Grinnell students hoping to enter the business and finance fields?

To be honest, after years in the insurance and finance world, I was feeling pretty burned out by the corporate grind. Having my son right at the start of the pandemic also gave me a chance to step back and think about what I wanted my work and life to look like. I was looking for something that better aligned with my values and fit the stage of life I was in. At the same time, one of the parts of my job I always enjoyed most was mentoring and helping people grow in their careers. Whether it was coaching team members, developing talent, or helping someone navigate their next step, I naturally gravitated toward that work. So when the opportunity at Grinnell came along, it felt like a natural fit. It gave me the chance to use my industry experience in a different way. 

The professional world is experiencing many changes, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence. How do you help Grinnell students and alumni navigate these changes?

AI is definitely changing the professional world, but I think it's important to view it as a tool, just like any other tool. It can help us work more efficiently and take care of some of the repetitive, time-consuming tasks, but it shouldn't replace critical thinking, creativity, or good judgment. I encourage students and alumni to stay curious and keep a pulse on what's happening in the AI space, even if they don't see themselves working in a technical field. More and more employers are looking for candidates who are comfortable using AI tools and understand the tools’ strengths and limitations. There are lots of ways to build AI competency. Grinnellians have free access to LinkedIn Learning, which offers excellent AI-related courses, and I often recommend podcasts like AI for Humans with Kevin Pereira and Gavin Purcell to stay informed in a fun and accessible way. My advice is not to be intimidated by AI, experiment with it, learn how to use it thoughtfully, and think about how it can make you more effective in your work rather than replace the value you bring. 

What do you like to do in your free time?

We enjoy being involved in church activities and making memories at home. I like to listen to podcasts on my commute to work and I listen to fiction audiobooks to go to sleep; mostly Harry Potter. 

What is one piece of advice you would give students considering a career in the business and finance fields?

Keep an open mind. One of the things I’ve learned is that the world of business and finance is incredibly broad, and very few careers follow a straight line. You may start out thinking you want to work in investments and end up owning a business. You may begin in marketing or sales and eventually find yourself leading an organization. Careers are much more dynamic than most students realize. The skills you develop — problem-solving, communication, relationship-building, and strategic thinking — can take you in directions you never expected. Rather than focusing on finding the “perfect” path from the start, focus on gaining experiences, building skills, and staying curious. The reality is that many people will have several careers over the course of their lives. Being open to new opportunities and willing to adapt can lead to some of the most rewarding and unexpected professional journeys.