Rhonda founded, built and sold two companies. The first was Human Services Insurance, the only retail insurance brokerage in the US founded solely to protect people and organizations that care for abused children. Founded in 1989, Human Services Insurance negotiated on exclusive insurance programs, was endorsed by child advocacy organizations, and helped negotiate millions of dollars of premium savings for children’s homes throughout the US. She sold this company in 1999.
In 1995, Rhonda founded Child Welfare Insurance Services, a wholesale insurance operation designed to empower insurance brokers throughout the US to become advocates for the child welfare organizations in their communities. Rhonda sold Child Welfare Insurance Services in 2008.
A sought-after speaker and trainer, Rhonda has presented many workshops and keynote addresses, most recently on the Characteristics of Successful Survivors and 5 Tips for Creating Job Security. She has appeared on numerous radio and TV programs, some of which are included at www.youtube.com/rhondasciortino.
She is also a successful author and real estate investor. Her first book, Succeed Because of What You’ve Been Through, formerly From Foster Care to Millionaire, describes how Rhonda overcame the “crazy-making” events of her childhood, including poverty, filth, hunger, abuse, and loneliness, to achieve affluence, order, fulfillment, and excellent relationships. More importantly, she shows others how to use the obstacles in their lives as stepping stones to a great future.
Rhonda has served as a board member for several child caring organizations, and is a long time supporter of David & Margaret Home, Hillview Acres Children’s Home, California Alliance of Child & Family Services, the Child Welfare League of America, The National Foster Parent Association, the National Foundation for Services to Children and the Foster Care Alumni of America . She was a founding board member of the Western Child Welfare Law Center. She passionately advocates training programs that focus on building and strengthening work ethic and character.
Rhonda credits God for blessing her with opportunities and the ability to take advantage of them. She is also grateful to the mentors who have helped her along the way, including the teacher who taught her the typing and shorthand that made her employable; the insurance agent who hired her at age 15; the CEO of the children’s home whose thank-you note prompted her to start her own business; and all the wonderful people at Markel Insurance Company who enable her to fulfill her “Assignment” of helping protect people and organizations that help youth and families in a way greater than she could have ever imagined.