Articles

Member Spotlight on Brendan Dusha

Q: Were you born and raised in the St. Louis area – or elsewhere?
A: I was born in Danvers Mass and moved shortly after to Springfield, Missouri. Grew up on a dead end road in the country and lived in Springfield all the way through graduating from Missouri State University. I moved to St. Louis a few years after graduation and lived here ever since!

Q: What is your history with SHRM St. Louis?
A: SHRM St. Louis has been a part of my life for the last 4 and a half years. Giving me the opportunity to grow and learn through meetings, volunteer work with the Membership Committee and building friendships all along the way!

Q: Why did you decide to focus on employment/human resources?
A: Running a local brokerage, I hold many of the HR duties in our office and help to grow an enthusiastic and meaningful culture in our organization. In my consultative role with clients, I am always looking to learn how I can be a partner with HR leaders and the organizations I serve as well.

Q: Please describe your job as VP of Sales & Operations for Arch Benefits Insurance Group.
A: As a leader and manager for ABIG, my focus is to insure we are bringing the most value to our clients as possible. As well as keeping our staff up to date with industry changes and trends in the benefits world. Benefits can be one of the largest expenses an employer can incur, as well as making sure we are looking out for each employee to have the best service and coverage possible. We are invested in each business we work with, and it is up to me to make sure we have all the possible resources and training to make this happen.

Q: What is your favorite part of the job?
A: Every business is unique. Visiting each client, getting tours of the facilities, and getting to know them on a personal level is probably my favorite part of the job. I love doing one-on-one educational meetings with employees as well. To me, it’s about building personal relationships and helping them with what the truly need as an individual or family.

Q: What is one example of a positive experience that you’ve had in this field?
A: In the years I have been in SHRM St. Louis, I have come to realize that culture is one of the most important aspects you need to always be looking out for in your business. I wouldn’t say that it is one specific example but throughout hiring and development of our staff, we have built an extremely strong culture and have a positive experience every day at work knowing that we are truly focused on this.

Q: Who introduced you to SHRM St. Louis? How did you initially become involved?
A: I was introduced to SHRM St. Louis doing research online. My first meeting was the annual conference, and I was hooked ever since!

Q: What have you gained thus far through your SHRM St. Louis membership?
A: SHRM St. Louis has been a big blessing to me the last almost 5 years! I have made countless friendships, insights into the complexity of the HR world and continue to learn with every meeting I attend. I was even given the opportunity to make my acting debut in front of the Membership. 

Q: What are your hopes for SHRM St. Louis in 2023?
A: My hopes and goals for 2023 would be to help continue the momentum we have seen at the end of 2022. In doing this I would love to see it grow to the largest and most valued membership in the HR space in all of Missouri. 

Q: What non-professional activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
A: I honestly have been getting the most joy out of spending time with my wife and kids and seeing them learn and grow! Hockey, Soccer, Football and teaching the little one to ride her bike, every nice day we love to get outside as much as possible! My second love is seeing and immersing myself into live music! You can usually find me at Broadway Oyster Bar, the Old Rock House, or the Pageant a few nights a month getting my fill of local or national acts coming through. I get this at home as well since we have guitars, ukuleles, drums, a piano and anything else you can think of for the family to learn and play as they choose!

Q: What is a favorite quote of yours and why?
A: “Try not to become a person of success but rather a person of value.” Albert Einstein
To me success is about serving yourself and value is about serving others. If you are of value, you will always have success in many aspects of your life, but you will be serving a larger purpose.

Q: Who would you consider to be your mentor and why?
A: Currently and for a while I would say I do not have a personal mentor. Every day and moment I can, I listen to personal growth podcasts and am working on becoming the best version of myself I can. There is an old ancient story about two birds living in a tree together. One bird enjoys all the delicious fruits of the tree while the other one observes without eating. I guess my mentor is the bird that is in observance. Knowing that we must enjoy the fruits of life, but we must always be conscious about what is around us, learning and growing all along the way, so that we can continue to enjoy the fruit.