WOMEN TO WATCH

Katie Mehdizadegan

Vice President and General Counsel
Delta Dental of Arkansas

I lead the legal, compliance and government relations teams at Delta Dental of Arkansas. We provide dental and vision benefits to Arkansas-based employers and individuals. I am fortunate to work for a not-for-profit whose mission is to improve the oral health of all Arkansans. Prior to joining Delta Dental, I practiced corporate defense at a local law firm.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

Best advice I ever received

The quality of your life is determined by the nature of your thinking.

One practice I use to maintain my mental health

Having a separate work phone. It is a physical way to help achieve work-life balance. And when life needs rebalancing, I like to fish on the Little Red River.

A skill I never expected to need in this field

Before becoming a lawyer, I never considered how much I would need customer service skills.

Best career moment so far

Becoming general counsel in my early thirties was an incredibly rewarding achievement.

What keeps me coming back to my job every day

The people, the energy and Delta Dental’s mission to improve the oral health of all Arkansans. Each day is different and I get to spend it advancing our mission.

How I knew this was my passion

I am a learner to my core and love to problem solve. As a lawyer, I get to combine this with my other passion: supporting and counseling others.

What I learned from my first job

At a family-owned, small-town coffee shop I learned the importance of owning the work, great customer service and community.

Nonprofit I wish more people knew about

The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation! We collaborate with organizations to develop strategic, systemic solutions that increase access to dental care, advance oral health equity and strengthen communities across Arkansas.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

Hometown

Gorham, ME

I can't start my day until

Coffee

Hobbies

Quality family time, spending time at the river and reading

Binge watch

“The Office,” always

Last good read

“The Education of an Idealist” by Samantha Power

Favorite meal in town

Casa Mañana

Best recent local discovery

Blackberry Market

Latest splurge

A pandemic pool

Most-used app

YouTube Music

Dream vacation

One that is planned for me!

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