16 Lessons in 16 Years: Celebrating The Difference Card’s Values in Action
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As The Difference Card celebrates an incredible 25 years, we’re also celebrating the people who bring our mission to life every day. One of those people is Loretta Silecchia, whose 16-year journey with TDC reflects the heart of who we are.
Through passion, accountability, innovation, and respect, Lisa has experienced firsthand what it means to live our values- not just talk about them. Her reflections offer a powerful look into the culture that makes The Difference Card so special.
Below, we’re proud to share 16 lessons learned over 16 years, each rooted in the values we strive to uphold.
PASSION: Work That Matters
At The Difference Card, passion isn’t just energy or enthusiasm, it’s the commitment to making a meaningful impact in the lives of real people. For Loretta, passion shows up in every client interaction, every problem solved, and every moment where she’s able to support someone through a confusing or overwhelming part of their healthcare journey. She believes passion is most powerful when it’s paired with positivity, teamwork, and an attitude that lifts others up. These lessons have shaped the way she leads, collaborates, and shows up every day.
Loretta’s Lessons on Passion:
- The work feels different when it truly matters to real people.
- Positivity goes a long way! A good attitude can change the tone of an entire day.
- “Cheerleading isn’t just a sport, it’s an attitude.” Showing up with encouragement makes a difference.
- Purple really does go with everything... especially when it’s part of who we are and what we stand for)
Together, these moments remind Loretta that passion is something you demonstrate, not by what you say, but by how you consistently show up to make a difference.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Built on Trust and Communication
Accountability is more than meeting deadlines. It’s about showing up honestly, being reliable, and building trust one conversation at a time. Loretta’s reflections point to a powerful truth: accountability is strengthened through relationships, clarity, and follow-through.
Loretta’s Lessons on Accountability:
- Having a string, supportive team makes even the toughest challenges manageable.
- Clear and transparent communication strengthens relationships, reduces stress, and ensures everyone is rowing in the same direction.
- Trust isn't automatic, it's built one conversation and one solution at a time.
- Knowing the difference between listening and being heard. Being heard means your words inspire action and at The Difference Card, that’s part of our culture.
Each of these lessons reinforces that accountability is lived through action and integrity, forming the foundation of trust within The Difference Card community.
INNOVATION: Empowering Simplicity in a Complex Industry
Innovation at TDC doesn’t just mean tools and technology - it represents our commitment to curiosity, problem-solving, and doing things better than before. With empathy, adaptability, and a willingness to grow, she helps make complex processes feel simple and accessible for the people who need it most.
Loretta’s Lessons on Innovation:
- Data is powerful, but it works best when its paired with empathy and understanding.
- Growth happens when you're willing to step outside your comfort zone and try something new.
- Learning never really stops here at The Difference Card- and that's a good thing.
Healthcare benefits don’t have to be confusing when you have the right people and the right approach to help you navigate it. This belief is at the core of Loretta’s experience and a cornerstone of our mission. Our ability to simplify the complex is what sets us apart, and it’s a skill sharpened by years of curiosity, adaptation, and fresh thinking.
RESPECT: A Culture You Can Feel
Respect is one of our most defining values at The Difference Card, and it’s something Loretta sees in action every single day. It shows up in how teams communicate, collaborate, and support each other, and in how we approach both our clients and our colleagues. Over 16 years, Loretta has seen that respect isn’t just an idea we discuss during meetings - it’s something that’s lived out, moment by moment, across the company.
- Collaboration makes everything better, and the best ideas often come from working together.
- Celebrating wins - big or small -brings people closer and builds momentum across teams.
- Flexibility matters, because every client and every situation is different - and change is constant.
- Culture isn’t what you say - it’s what you do, and The Difference Card’s culture is truly “like none other.”
Together, these experiences reaffirm Loretta’s belief that respect is embedded in every interaction here. It’s not just a value on a poster - it’s a feeling, an action, and a shared commitment that shapes our workplace every single day.
Celebrating 25 Years & The People Who Make the Difference
As The Difference Card marks 25 years of helping employers save money while improving benefits, we’re reminded that our success is built on people like Loretta—people who show up with passion, accountability, innovation, and respect every single day.
Her 16 lessons capture what it means to grow with an organization, to contribute to something bigger, and to be part of a team that truly embodies its values.
Congratulations to TDC on 25 years - and to Loretta for 16 years of meaningful impact. We’re grateful, proud, and excited for all the lessons still to come.
