This Women’s History Month, we’re excited to highlight the voices and experiences of women in leadership across Royal American.
Throughout the month, we’ll share personal stories from several of our female leaders as they reflect on their paths, challenges, and inspirations.
Tune in throughout the month as we celebrate the women who help lead this company—and discover the inspiration their journeys offer.
VERONICA RAMSEY
VP OF COMPLIANCE
Royal American Corporate
Starting Date / Position:
May 2022 / VP of Compliance
Veronica & Grandsons, L-R: Tommy, Veronica, Damien
IN HER OWN WORDS
1. What originally drew you to your field, and what key experiences shaped your journey to where you are today?
As I look back on my career, I realize that so many things in my life shaped my journey to where I am today. Being a child of teachers and a preacher instilled following the rules, respect, kindness, and always learning throughout my childhood. Becoming a mother of 6 taught me patience and dealing with multiple personalities. Key traits needed to lead a compliance department. A divorce led me to learning everything I could about financing a home. As hard as the divorce was, it led me to a job with KY Housing Corporation(KHC) in the Single Family Homeownership Dept.(SFH). During my time in the SFH Department, I started training partners with KHC on our compliance procedures. This led to my passion with compliance. Self-motivation to better myself along with learning opportunities provided by KHC I was able to transition to the Multi-family Compliance Department. I remember my first day in multi-family like it was yesterday. The department was having a meeting about APR reports. I was sitting there wondering why multi-family is worrying about annual percentage rates. I was embarrassed that I didn’t know but raised my hand and asked. The acronym APR meant something totally different in multi-family. It was Annual Performance reporting. That was an impactful moment on how I trained others. No question is dumb, don’t be afraid to ask. Being proactive in my own learning has been key to my journey so far. Living and learning go hand in hand, and I am not done with either!
2. What strengths or perspectives do you feel women bring to this type of role that help drive meaningful impact?
Most women often lead with “communal” instincts which fosters emotional intelligence and empathy. It also allows women to sense team stress early and try to respond to emotional needs. I feel this helps lead a team that develops trust, loyalty, and psychological safety. I feel women tend to make authentic connections with employees and other team members. Women inherently can multi-task. Something that is a must in this position. Fun Fact: During COVID -19 pandemic, female-led organizations often performed better than male led organizations. This was attributed to a focus on long-term stability and empathetic communication during high-stress periods.
3. Every career comes with hurdles. Can you share a challenge you’ve faced—either in leadership or in finance—and how it contributed to your growth as a professional?
It is hard for me to pinpoint one specific challenge to share. What I can share is there have been many hurdles and challenges along the way. Some days it could seem like I was an Olympic Hurdle jumper, lol, but with each one I pushed towards the finish line. Hurdles and challenges help us learn how to handle situations better. We grow by going through hard times. We become stagnant if we are not challenged. Keep learning how to be better than the day before, continue to push through, don’t give up and probably the most important is do your best to not being the challenge or hurdle for someone else. A wise woman (my mother) would tell me if you’re not part of the solution, your part of the problem. That has helped with my growth both personal and professional.
4. What hobbies, interests, or activities help you recharge and stay balanced?
I love spending time with my 2 grandsons Tommy and Damien. I am VeVe to them and spoil them rotten. I put a tv in a bathroom for them, have their favorite ice cream and treats when they visit. My time with them helps me to forget all the troubles of the world. My family has regular dinner and game nights. Any time my house is full of family and/or friends, my heart is full. My daughters and I have recently set aside some time once a month to play Mahjong. Time with my crazy bunch keeps me grounded. I also enjoying getting my hands dirty gardening and growing plants. Being out in nature helps me stayed balanced. I also love to travel, alone or with family and friends I am ready to go!
5. What message would you share with young women in our organization who aspire to leadership roles or want to break into fields where they may not always see themselves represented?
Being a leader is a mindset. Don’t wait for a leadership title to be given to you, act like a leader. Being active at the “table”, speak up and give your perspective. Surround yourself with the right people, professionally and personal. This is so important. Negative influencers can drag you down, cause doubt and fear. Have the people in your circle that will be your mentor, your biggest cheer leader, someone who is not afraid to constructively criticize or disagree with you, and someone who has your back regardless of being in their presence or not. My mother would always say “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
As we close out March, Royal American Companies is proud to announce our 2026 Charity of the Year: The University of Florida’s Donald L. Roland Fund for Cancer Research. The fundraising efforts we undertake this year, through our employee led events committee initiatives, will direct funds toward this important work. The Donald L. Roland Fund supports critical research aimed at advancing our understanding of colorectal cancer (CRC) and improving outcomes for the patients and families navigating it every day.
Choosing this charity was an easy decision — it came straight from the heart of our Royal American family. Many of you know Jim Boyd, Vice President of Development & General Counsel. He has given so much to this company over the years, and when we learned about his ongoing battle with CRC, we knew exactly where we wanted to focus our fundraising efforts in 2026. In a recent conversation with us, Jim spoke candidly about how early screening provided him with the most precious commodity of all: time. His experience underscores a rising trend – the increasing diagnosis of CRC in younger adults – which is why our support of the Donald L. Roland Fund is so timely. We hope his words move you the way they moved us and encourages you to remain proactive about your own health.
Awareness: Health conversations can often feel private. How can sharing your journey with CRC be helpful for others?
CRC is the fastest growing cancer in the world and the leading cause of cancer death for ages 50 and below. That’s the bad news. The good news, if CRC is caught early enough, the survival rate is high. You are your own best judge of how your body is feeling – if there are consistent abdominal issues; changes in bowel habits; unexplained weight loss; family history of cancer; etc. – be proactive. Unfortunately, in the end, you must be the biggest advocate for your own health. Regarding my own journey, while I didn’t have a family history of CRC, due to a history of abdominal issue, I was having colonoscopies ever two years. I’m alive today because I caught it early enough to treat.
Prevention: Colorectal Cancer—along with conditions like Crohn’s and Colitis—is increasingly affecting younger generations, making early screening and our 2026 commitment to the Donald L. Rowland Fund for Cancer Research more critical than ever. Share your thoughts about the importance of getting your first screening.
Until recently, colonoscopy was the only way to test for CRC. However, some recent improvements in CRC screening – especially the new blood tests – are making it easier and less intrusive to detect CRC. In addition, the blood test allows for the earliest detection of a reoccurrence. In fact, the blood test caught my reoccurrence sooner than other tests allowing treatment for the reoccurrence to start earlier. The research being done today is going to allow for an earlier diagnosis which will lead to a higher survival rate.
Advice: Is there any advice you want to offer those going through a difficult medical diagnosis?
When you wake up in a private colonoscopy recovery room with the doctor explaining the cancerous tumor he found in your colon, there is an immediate mental shock. But what I’ve learned over the last 20 months is that while I will probably die from CRC (or get hit by a bus this afternoon); I’m not going to let cancer define who I am or limit the appreciation I have for my life. Life doesn’t end with a difficult medical diagnosis. While I have always enjoyed my life (some would say to excess); I appreciate my life more than ever before. The time I spend now with family and friends means more to me than anything else.
Any advice on empowering others to start taking the first steps towards prevention and better health?
The best guess for the rise of CRC is constant inflammation of your digestive track from environmental issues – whether its preservatives in your food, micro plastics in everything we ingest, or combinations thereof – something is leading to the explosion in CRC. Especially in younger age bands. It’s probably redundant, but the best medicine to prevent CRC is a healthy lifestyle – lean protein, fruits & vegetables, sufficient fiber, exercise, and the elimination of processed foods from your diet. It’s easy to say but it’s a lot harder to execute. But a commitment to a healthier lifestyle not only helps prevents CRC it also provides you the strength to survive CRC treatments – surgery, chemo, etc.
Thank you, Jim, for your honesty and courage in sharing your story. We hope his words inspire you to join us in these efforts. More opportunities to give and get involved will be shared throughout the year.
This Women’s History Month, we’re excited to highlight the voices and experiences of women in leadership across Royal American.
Throughout the month, we’ll share personal stories from several of our female leaders as they reflect on their paths, challenges, and inspirations.
Tune in throughout the month as we celebrate the women who help lead this company—and discover the inspiration their journeys offer.
ANGELA NOFSINGER BROOKS
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Royal American Hospitality
Starting Date / Position:
July 2013, Human Resources Specialist (FSC)
L-R: Cody Brooks(son), Jocelyn Brooks (daughter), Angela Nofsinger Brooks, and Cory Brooks (son)
IN HER OWN WORDS
What originally drew you to the field of Human Resources, and what key experiences shaped your journey to where you are today?
1.My path into Human Resources actually started in a pretty unexpected way. I was working in accounting at my previous company when the president called me into his office and told me that we needed to start a Human Resources department, and they felt I was the right person for the role. At first, I almost didn’t accept the opportunity because of the unknown. HR was such a big shift from what I had been doing, and I was afraid of failure, but after giving it much thought and with encouragement from leadership, I decided to step out and take the chance. I stepped into the role as Human Resources Administrator / Risk Manager and started building the HR function from the ground up, which gave me a real appreciation and passion for how important HR is in supporting employees and creating a positive workplace culture. Over time, I realized I was naturally equipped with many of the traits that are essential in HR; being compassionate, trustworthy, and genuinely caring about people. While I enjoyed accounting, I quickly realized that HR was truly where I was meant to be.
2. What strengths or perspectives do you feel women bring to this type of role that help drive meaningful impact?
I believe women often bring compassion, empathy, emotional intelligence, and strong communication skills to roles like Human Resources. HR is really about people; listening, understanding different perspectives, and helping create solutions that work for everyone. For me personally, I strive to lead with compassion, be someone employees can trust, and show that I genuinely care. Women also often bring a collaborative mindset, which helps when navigating challenges and finding solutions that support both employees and the organization. When people feel heard, respected, and treated fairly, it builds trust and helps create a stronger, more supportive workplace.
3. Every career comes with hurdles. Can you share a challenge you’ve faced and how it contributed to your growth as a professional?
One of my earliest challenges was starting the HR department from the ground up. Coming from an accounting background, I had to quickly learn a new field while creating policies, procedures, and systems that would support employees and the organization. It pushed me to grow outside of my comfort zone, but with great support and a willingness to learn, I embraced the challenge and 24 years later, I still love working in HR and cannot imagine what else I’d do. Throughout my career, I’ve also navigated many employee relations situations and periods of organizational change. Those experiences can be complex, but they’ve helped me grow by strengthening my communication skills, reinforcing the importance of empathy and fairness, and teaching me how important it is to listen and support people during challenging times. Another habit that has helped me stay positive and focused is being intentional about my mindset. During my daily commute, I spend at least 30 minutes listening to inspirational/motivational content, whether it’s a podcast, TED Talk, YouTube video or Audible. Starting and/or ending my day that way helps keep me encouraged and reminds me to continue learning and growing and caring about people, even when its hard.
4. What hobbies, interests, or activities help you recharge and stay balanced?
Work-life balance is probably my biggest challenge, so I try to be intentional about making time for the things that help me recharge. I really enjoy gardening, it’s something that helps me relax and slow down. I also love spending time with my family, friends, and my two dogs, as well as getting outside whenever I can. Sometimes it’s something as simple as taking a walk or unplugging for a little while. Those moments help me reset, maintain perspective, and come back ready to approach every day with a fresh outlook.
5. What message would you share with young women in our organization who aspire to leadership roles or want to break into fields where they may not always see themselves represented?
My biggest advice would be to believe in yourself and stay open to opportunities, even ones that may take you in a direction you didn’t expect. My own career path is a great example of how stepping outside your comfort zone can lead you to something you were meant to do. Keep learning, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to take on new challenges. Seek out mentors and stay curious throughout your career. And as you grow professionally, remember how important it is to support and encourage other women along the way. Representation matters, and every woman who steps into leadership helps open doors for those who follow. Always make a conscious decision to be happy, to have a healthy work-life balance and maintain a positive outlook on every situation and treat everyone with dignity and respect, regardless of who they are or what they do.
