About Us | DDI Benefits

Dena Dooney

Principal | Employee Benefits Consultant

With more than 30 years’ experience, Dena has experienced the health insurance and benefits industry from all angles. She began her career working in the human resources department of large hospitals and spent more than 8 years working for a major health insurance company in roles ranging from claims processing to customer service to sales account executive. Dena became a Benefits Consultant 20 years ago, building up her portfolio to serve dozens of employer groups and hundreds individuals in Oregon and Southwest Washington.

In 2009, Dena decided, to best pursue her vision of client service, to form DDI Benefits. Dena is active in the industry, having served on the Broker Advisory Committees of several health plans, and is a member of the Oregon and National Associations of Health Underwriters. Dena is a licensed health insurance consultant and trained Medicare advisor. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, dog Jackie and relaxing at the beach.

Brandi Sage

Individual and Small Business Account Manager

Brandi started her love of customer service during high school & college when she worked for the Corps of Engineers – Public Affairs office. Her next job took her to an automotive trades association in Portland where she handled clerical, membership, training coordination and eventually expanded to handling their insurance products. In 2001 she earned her Health Insurance and Property & Casualty insurance licenses.

In 2004, she was convinced insurance was going to continue to be her career choice and accepted a position at an Insurance Brokerage & Third-Party Administrator. In addition to learning the ins and outs of associations, she mastered the regulations and processing of COBRA, Flexible Spending Accounts, Dependent Care Accounts and Transportation Accounts.

When Dena opened DDI Benefits in 2009 she hired Brandi to handle office support, system management, and account management. As Brandi’s responsibilities have grown, she’s added her life insurance license in 2014 and started helping Medicare clients in 2016. Brandi’s vast industry knowledge and great attention to detail help provide stellar service to clients. Brandi gives 100 percent to each and every client, every day.

Brandi and her two children are actively involved in their Troutdale community.

Marlene Collier

Senior Employee Benefits Account Manager

Marlene has been in the insurance industry for 22 years. She started out at a local carrier before spending the last 20 years working on the agent broker side of the business. As an account manager, Marlene is responsible for the day to day management of the client relationship for group benefit insurance needs which include claim and benefit coverage issues, consulting and leading annual renewal process, and employee education. She attended The Ohio State University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Family Relations and Human Development. She loves spending time with her family and friends, camping, gardening and soccer. Marlene exudes integrity and commitment in her work every day. We are grateful to have such a seasoned professional on our team!

Kara Porteaud

Benefits and COBRA Administrator

Kara joined DDI Benefits in April of 2016. She has 20 years of customer service and corporate recruitment experience. Kara navigates the pertinent state and federal regulations involved with benefits administration as well as the detailed compliance requirements that go along with COBRA administration. Kara is DDI’s lead technology administrator, managing multiple benefits platforms from plan document generation, COBRA administration, customized benefits websites, HR support centers and various carrier interfaces for dozens of clients. She is extremely organized, highly detail oriented, and a dedicated team member.

After living all over the U.S. for 15 years, Kara, a fifth generation Portland native, settled down with her husband and 2 sons in the beautiful City of Roses.

Emmett Dooney

Health Insurance Agent | Medicare

Emmett graduated from the University of Oregon in June 2019 with a major in General Social Science focusing in business and economics. Emmett joined the DDI team in November 2019 and is devoted to assisting individuals navigate their Medicare options. Medicare is a complicated, ever changing, insurance system that he is committed to helping our clients understand. Emmett cares about helping people by listening to their needs and carefully researching the best options. Emmett is a licensed health insurance agent in Oregon and Washington and trained in Medicare.

Emmett grew up in Northeast Portland, attended Central Catholic High School, and attributes his community, family and friends in shaping who the person he is today. Emmett enjoys fitness, outdoor sports and closely follows the Portland Trailblazers.

Annette Belanger

Client Service Specialist

Annette graduated from Southern Oregon University with degrees in Political Science and Economics. Her first job out of college was with a large Portland based insurance carrier. Other than a brief 4 year stint at a telecom company during the late 90s, she has been in insurance ever since—on both the carrier and broker sides of the business. She enjoys the opportunities to meet and assist others, and the challenge of keeping abreast of the constant changes in Medicare and Individual Health Insurance. When not at DDI, she enjoys sports, movies, gardening, and volunteering for the Oregon Humane Society.

2111 NE Halsey Street

Portland, OR 97232

503.206.5654

fax 503.296.2585

info@ddibenefits.com

Services for Employers

Employee Benefits / Insurance Consulting

Open Enrollment / Employee Engagement

Benefits Administration

Benefits / HR Technology

Compliance Administration

HR Support

Wellness

Services for Individuals

Health Insurance

Dental insurance

Life Insurance

Medicare

Medicare Disclaimer: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 7 organizations which offer 35 products in Oregon and Washington. Please contact medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all your options. Please note that we are required to record all phone conversations with clients who want to discuss Medicare Advantage and/or Part D prescription drug plans. We are not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.

2111 NE Halsey Street

Portland, OR 97232

503.206.5654

fax 503.296.2585

info@ddibenefits.com