Who We Are
We are dedicated to providing you with quality benefits and award winning service. Whether your company consists of just you or you and your employees, we are here to advise and assist you.
Meet our team:
susan shargel, CLU ChFC - president and founder
Owner and president Susan Shargel's hands on approach applies both to building business relationships and to community involvement.
In recognition of her work, Susan was named 2003 Small Business Owner of the Year by the San Francisco Small Business Network and is 2007 Member of the Year of the San Francisco chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners.
Susan has over 25 years of experience in insurance. She's gained accolades for combining big picture insight and detailed knowledge to help clients design plans that work in both cost and quality. Her emphasis is on exceptional service and continual improvement.
Susan actively participates in local business, insurance and civic organizations including the SF Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Women Business Owners, the Women Presidents' Organization, Golden Gate Association of Health Underwriters, and the Barnard Alumnae Business and Professional Group. She serves on the Board of Directors of Congregation Emanu-El, San Francisco.
Susan is an active advocate for health care reform, serving as the Chair of NAWBO's National Health Care Task Force. Read Susan's personal reform proposal on her blog. She speaks on health care topics at local business organizations and national business conferences.
Cecilia Paul - Account Manager
Cecilia Paul joined Shargel & Co.'s staff in 2004, bringing a seasoned background in the health insurance industry. She has been in health care since 1986, and has worked for major health plans such as Health Net, PacifiCare and Lifeguard, and for a third party administrator, managing large group and labor union accounts.
At Shargel, Cecilia works directly with our small group clients: a more personal focus she enjoys. She's the person our group clients count on for help with enrollments, renewals and employee questions. She handles the day-to-day account management, along with sales responsibilities.
Cecilia holds a California life and health insurance license and a degree in American studies. She is active with the Society of Human Resource Professionals. She also speaks Spanish.
Elaine Young, MBA - Account Manager
Elaine joined Shargel & Co. in the spring of 2004. She previously worked at State Farm Insurance providing sales and service for individual policy owners.
At Shargel, Elaine works with both individual and group clients, answering questions and providing support for benefits administrators. She handles the daily administrative exchanges between Shargel and our carriers.
Elaine holds a life and health insurance license, a degree in managerial economics, and an MBA. A native San Franciscan, Elaine is also multi-lingual, and speaks Cantonese and Mandarin.
Elaine is active in many business networking groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Business Networking International and Toastmasters.
jennifer uhl – CFP and long-term care insurance specialist
Jennifer joined the Shargel & Co. team as an independent consultant in 2008 to help us meet the growing demand for Long-Term Care Insurance. A Certified Financial Planner and Member of the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance, Jennifer brings 22 years of experience with some of the leading companies in the industry including John Hancock, Genworth and Metropolitan Life.
For Jennifer, long-term care is a very personal issue. She has seen firsthand the hardship that families who do not have suitable coverage endure when a loved one suddenly requires long-term care. The experience made a deep impression on her, and she advises each of her clients that “the lifestyle and dignity that you will enjoy tomorrow, begins with the quality of planning you do today.”
Jennifer has the distinction of being the first agent to write a Long-Term Care Partnership Policy with the State of California. She has also taught classes on Long-Term Care. Prior to entering the insurance business, she was a Financial Planner with American Express Financial Advisors.
Jennifer works with her clients to design benefits that fit their personal situation. “The single greatest value I bring to my clients is peace of mind. They know that if their or their partners health changes, they will be taken care of.”
Betaya Boorda - Administrative Assistant
Betaya Boorda has been a part time member of the Shargel team since 2006. She acts as office manager and gives administrative support to our brokers. She is also the coordinator and writer for the National Association of Women Business Owners Health Care Policy Working Group, of which Susan is the chair.
She attended Bard College and previously worked in sustainable agriculture and community projects.