UMB Financial Corporation
05/15/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/15/2021 07:21
Q&A with Jill Calton on what it means to be a well-being champion
We spoke with Jill Calton, EVP and executive director of alternative investments, about her well-being journey and what it means to be this year's 'well-being champion.'
What is a well-being champion?
A well-being champion serves as a positive, healthy role-model who supports UMB associates in a variety of ways. I write blog articles that highlight focus areas of health and inspire associates to participate in wellness initiatives, while also sharing my personal stories of struggles and successes in my own wellness journey.
What interested you in being a well-being champion?
I've always been very passionate about my health and staying active. Being from Utah, the outdoors has played an important role in my life and I belong to a very active family where many vacations are planned around being outside, including skiing and hiking. I'm also a runner and participate in races throughout the year. Outside of physical activity, I believe that maintaining a regular sleep schedule, having a positive attitude and eating healthy are key factors for supporting a healthy lifestyle.
What is your role at UMB?
Outside of being a well-being champion, I am the executive director of alternative investments for UMB Fund Services, where I manage a team of more than 180 associates in Utah and Pennsylvania. My responsibilities include strategic development and leadership of the group, which provides fund accounting, administration, investor reporting, tax and audit services for alternative investment clients.
In addition to leading the firm's growing fund servicing business, in 2020 I was elected to be a member of the Hedge Fund Association's (HFA) Global Board of Directors. As the first UMB associate ever elected to HFA's board, I educate and serve as a thought leader for members by publishing articles and webinars for the association. I also joined HFA's Philanthropy Committee for its inaugural year in 2021.
What are some of your go-to tips for overall health?
One of the easiest things you can do to help your physical and mental health is to stretch. Many of us who work in an office job where we spend hours working at a desk-often resulting in lack of movement throughout the day and sometimes poor posture. A lack of movement can cause muscles to shorten and become tight, increasing your risk for joint pain, strains and muscle damage.
To ensure you're moving throughout the day, consider setting an hourly reminder to stand up and move. Check online for recommendations on easy stretches you can do throughout the day, and you'll be surprised at how quickly you notice changes in your flexibility and posture. Outside of the physical benefits of stretching, stretching can provide your mind with a mental break. It allows you to recharge and refresh the blood flow throughout your body, resulting in a calmer and more peaceful mindset and can release tension from built up stress. You'll be surprised that taking this needed stretching break from a busy day will recharge and strengthen your body and your mind.
UMB's well-being champion program is part of the company's overall mission to engage and encourage associates to take action and personal responsibility in improving the health and wellbeing of themselves and their families by providing information and tolls that allow them to make educated decisions.
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