January 2026 - NABIP Alaska Monthly Meeting

Presentation Objectives:

• Connect leadership culture directly to insurance costs and risk management
• Introduce the Zen Leader Model as evidence-based framework
• Provide practical self-mastery tools brokers can use personally and recommend to clients
• Position brokers as strategic wellbeing advisors, not just product vendors

About Our Speaker: 

Cara Fox is the founder of ZenFox Solutions LLC, where she guides leaders to integrate personal well-being with professional excellence through her innovative Zen Leader framework and personalized coaching for professionals at turning points in their careers. With over 25 years of experience in talent development, human resources, and wellness consulting, Cara brings a unique perspective on the intersection of leadership development and holistic well-being.

Previously serving as a Wellness and Human Resources Consultant with Northrim Benefits Group, Cara developed deep expertise in designing and implementing worksite wellness programs while providing HR guidance to insurance clients. Her extensive background includes Director of Talent Development at Carlile Transportation, where she pioneered custom leadership development programs and enhanced performance management systems, and Managing Director of Employee Services at Northern Aviation Services, where she led HR strategy across multiple operating companies.

Cara holds a Bachelor of Arts with dual degrees in Psychology and Economics from the University of Rochester, along with a Certificate of Management Studies in Personnel Management from the Simon School of Business. She maintains her Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) credential from ATD and her Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. Her commitment to continuous learning includes recent certifications for Master Performance Consultant, Creating Leadership Development Programs, and E-Learning Instructional Design. Last but not least, Cara’s passion for well-being is rooted in her early career experience and training as a massage therapist.

Drawing from both Eastern wisdom traditions and Western business practices, Cara has developed the Zen Leader model—a comprehensive framework that addresses the ten essential qualities of conscious leadership. Her approach emphasizes that true leadership success comes from the inside out, starting with self-mastery and extending to team connection and development, organizational culture, and a focus on purposeful, authentic impact. 

Currently serving as Board President of Alaska Health Fair and an active member of the Anchorage Society for Human Resource Management and the Puget Sound Association for Talent Development, Cara continues to contribute to her community while helping leaders find a sustainable balance between productivity, achievement, and well-being.