Rena Snyder --- Life Lived Fully and with Flourish!

Writing a Blog featuring all of you is a humbling experience. Not only am I transported back in time within each unique client’s relationship, but I am also treated to the opportunity of peeking into clients’ own points of view and visions for our mutual futures. When I prepared my questions for Rena, I had a lot of “ah ha!” moments. First, meeting her a couple of decades ago, a very busy and full life, and now the joy of watching her enjoy the benefits of her many years of hard work and sacrifice for her family. Personally, it is so very rewarding to know that she chose us to be with her for this journey.

Rena shares her life as a hard working woman professional in human resources during a time of huge change within that industry and the coming of age of women in what had been a traditionally exclusive male environment. She shares with us the love and care she brought as caregiver and care manager for her beloved parents. And she shares with us her new life as retiree ---- one that was well planned and incredibly well deserved. Enjoy Rena’s journey!


Rena at Yosemite Lake, 2013

Rena, lucky me, we’ve known each other and worked together quite a long time. When we first met, you were employed full time as an HR Director for Northern Telecom and pursuing tennis avidly! Since that time, much has changed in the field of human resources (HR) as well as your own life. Focusing on the business path first, it occurs to me in retrospect that your career path seems to parallel so much of what was evolving in the field of human resources. What originally lead to your interest in HR? And how did your career path change in that field during your working life? And, in retrospect, do you feel it was the right field for you? If you had a "do over," what might you do differently?

While working a number of years as an executive secretary to corporate managers and CEO’s, I was privy to many critical personnel (as it was known then) issues. I was drawn to the complexity of the problems and realized these decisions were affecting people’s lives. I decided to take courses in HR management and soon had to make a decision regarding my career. At that time, you had to start at the bottom in HR and work your way up. So I took the plunge (including a deep cut in salary) and applied and was hired for an entry level HR position.

I continued studying HR, Psychology and Business Law and was always looking for opportunities at work to take on more to expand my knowledge and get hands-on experience. HR careers usually followed that path. I applied and was hired for positions with increasing levels of responsibility in all the specialty areas of HR until I was able to assume the role of a generalist management position. I continued to rise in the management ranks and relocated three times (Dallas, Nashville, back to California).

The HR department was considered an administrative function until the late 80’s and then began to migrate to an integral part of business decision-making and elevated to other functions within organizations. It was very rewarding to be part of forming business strategies – since people are the key asset to any organization. HR was definitely the right field for me. I had the opportunity to positively impact many lives (employees and their families).

I would say I was a “good corporate citizen” and a workaholic and in retrospect I would have tempered my work life and put more emphasis into my personal life.


Rena participating in a corporate team building wilderness event

You were one of the first to embrace the idea of outsourcing not only the day to day payroll functionality but so much of what HR also involves, allowing companies to leverage their resources in such a way that they could focus on their core capabilities. This was hugely helpful to our small company as we grew and you really opened my eyes to the notion of staying focused on what we do best. How do you think that movement has changed our business environment today? How do you see this important area continuing to evolve?

As companies experience the extremes of growth and decline, the basic infrastructure of HR stays pretty much the same. Especially in decline, other than hiring and training, most other programs must remain in effect. As a result, cutting costs in the HR function is difficult. We started looking for resources outside the company that could be utilized in these peaks and valleys. When we were forced to downsize HR, we utilized temporary personnel to fill spikes in workloads.

Continuing to look at cost-cutting and overhead, I discovered Professional Employer Organizations (PEOs). Companies can outsource all or part of their HR function. In simple terms, many companies can utilize the services of one HR function. Each company pays just a portion for the HR services.  Outsourcing has continued in all business functions, with providers all over the world. It allows organizations of any size to let their employees concentrate on accomplishing business goals.


Rena and her Father, circa 1975

Let’s switch gears here a bit and talk about your parents. Everyone should have an amazing daughter just like you! First for your father, and then very soon after on behalf of your mother, you became everything from care manager to care giver, bookkeeper to trustee, and all the roles in-between. Through all that you battled your own health challenges, too. Where did the knowledge, the courage and the strength come from?

First I had to come to terms with my own health condition. My parents were too fragile to cope with my health problems. I fought breast cancer without telling them. But I had great support of some close friends and golf (my mental and physical therapy). I learned so much about myself and what I was capable of accomplishing. I learned to question everything and push back when a “red flag” surfaced. I realized two basic truths: The problem is what it is—and—you do what you have to do to get through the situation. Once I accepted that I couldn’t change the diagnosis, I charged forward to manage the process.

Even with my own health issues under control, there was no way I was prepared for all the issues related to caring for my parents. In addition, my parents both remarried and so I took responsibility for matters relating to them. Slowly over a period of several years, they each had medical problems that affected their quality of life. I researched and asked a lot of questions until I got enough information to make difficult decisions.

What lessons could be shared with others reading this Blog who are facing similar paths with their loved ones?

Having a Will and Living Trust is not enough. In fact, I didn’t even see my parent’s documents until they passed away. I knew they had a DNR (do not resuscitate) authorization and I had a vague idea of what was in the documents. But we had never discussed their wishes if they became incapacitated. I was angry that I was forced to make difficult decisions about medical, living conditions, finance, legal issues. For each question I had to decide what was in the best interest of my parents. Sometimes they did not like the solution and it broke my heart they were unhappy. But they were safe and well cared for.

Although it is uncomfortable, talk to your loved ones while they can articulate their desires. Parents place too heavy a burden on their children of trying to second guess their life ending wishes. Because of the aging population, there is much more information and services available. Ask trusted friends and advisors about proven solutions to similar problems.

It is essential to have experienced and competent advisors to deal with medical, finance, taxation and estate law. I ended up changing doctors and an estate attorney because I didn’t feel they served the best interests of my parents.


Teeing off in Manzanillo, Mexico

Always the talented and exuberant athlete, as your body has changed, you have not been one to put on the whiney face and give up on staying healthy! First tennis, then golf, now ballroom dancing! Tell us about these pursuits and some of the interesting travel you’ve done as a golf enthusiast.

In my twenties I got interested in sports and learned tennis. For thirty years I played in leagues, was captain of teams and organized many events. Tennis started taking a toll on my body. When I started working part-time in 2001, I decided to hang up my racquet and take up golf. What a challenge – on the golf course you have to concentrate on so many aspects of the game. It has provided me with the greatest outlet for the stress and frustration when I was dealing with my own medical issues and caring for my parents. I played tennis in many places (Australia, Bahamas, Tahiti) and now I am adding golf to my travels to Mexico, Utah and all over California.


Rena getting her ballroom on!

And ballroom dancing! Wow! How did you decide to put on those dancing shoes and super cool outfits and get out there and boogie? You look amazing, by the way!!!

My father taught me how to dance at an early age. I have always loved music and the energy generated in dancing. Last year I decided to look into ballroom dancing. I love it – very stimulating. Like golf, when I am dancing I don’t think of anything else and it’s a great workout. I didn’t have any dresses so I had to invest in a few “flowy” outfits.

Rena enjoying beloved pets, Chuy and Ziggy

You and many clients are migrating to Rossmoor or similar retirement communities (being the trend setter you are, you of course, were one of our first clients to do so!). You actually moved there when you were much younger than most residents. Tell us what drew you to this special place. Are you glad you made the move?

Moving to Rossmoor was the best decision for me. 2008 was the worst year of my life. My father and mother passed away within six months. My part-time job was relocated to Houston. I suddenly lost hearing in one ear. I decided it was time to retire, sell my townehouse and simplify my life.

Rossmoor was very attractive to me from my first visit. It has so much to offer—great location, affordable housing, beautiful surroundings, golf courses, many social clubs and amenities. In four years the demographics have changed considerably with the influx of the baby boomers. A lot of these people still work full or part-time and so the events and activities are changing to accommodate this age group. I don’t consider Rossmoor a “retirement community.” It is an Active Senior Community!

For others thinking of making a similar move, what would you recommend they do to research their best future home? Would you have done anything differently?

Do your homework – consider all aspects of your life. You must have your finances in order and know what you can afford. Then the fun part starts: start making lists of must haves, would like to have and what you can live without. This goes for location, weather, type of house/condo, amenities, and proximity to healthcare, shopping, transportation (in case you don’t want to drive), your hobbies and interests --- everything you can think of!

Then go exploring in the wider area you want to live and check out communities so you do some comparisons. I looked all over the East Bay, but decided Walnut Creek was a great central location. Eventually, you will be able to narrow things down to a city and community that suits you. And, if you are not absolutely sure, consider renting for a while.

I did all of this, in addition to looking at forty places in Rossmoor. I was just about to rent a place when my condominium came on the market. I knew immediately it was the right place for me, met my realtor, made an offer, and deal was completed in two days.

What’s next Rena? Warn me now so I can keep up!!!

Right now I am concentrating on lowering my golf handicap, moving into the intermediate/advanced ballroom dancing level, playing Mah Jong, Mexico in February, cruise to Alaska in July, and short golf trips in California.

Readers often have questions for our featured Blog guests. If they would like to reach out to you, what’s the best way?

They can email me at snyderrenas@gmail.com.



Rena enjoying an ATV ride in Yosemite