Renae Polensky, the founder and CEO of Angel Advocates, has dedicated her career to helping individuals navigate complex legal, financial, and healthcare systems. Starting from humble beginnings in Dickinson, ND, Renae has worked hard to build Angel Advocates into a thriving business serving others, with a recent expansion to Bismarck.
What is Angel Advocates?
Angel Advocates provides a range of services, from assisting with Social Security and disability applications to Medicare navigation and estate planning. At the heart of the organization is a commitment to ensuring that every client, regardless of financial status, is treated with dignity and respect. “We work with everyone, from the wealthiest oil investors to unhoused people who are living in their car,” Polensky said. “Everyone deserves help.”
Much of the work of Angel Advocates involves assisting clients with bureaucratic processes that can take years to resolve. Disability claims, for example, often take two to three years from start to finish. “Patience is key,” she said. “It’s not just about the paperwork. It’s about helping people through some of the hardest moments of their lives.”
Building Angel Advocates: A passion turned into a profession
Polensky’s journey into advocacy was deeply personal. Originally from Louisville, KY, she found herself helping family members through difficult times, from managing disability claims to handling financial affairs after the loss of a loved one. “My grandfather passed away, and my grandmother knew nothing about managing finances,” she said. “That’s when I realized how many people needed guidance.”
Her experience extended beyond her immediate family as she assisted others with Social Security, disability claims, and estate planning. What began as a passion project soon turned into a career. “If my own family needed this much help, imagine how many others do too,” she said. In 2015, she set a goal to secure her first client by September 1. “I prayed about it, and at 10 a.m. on September 1, my phone rang,” she said. From that moment, her path was clear.
Overcoming challenges and expanding impact
Starting out, Polensky worked from her car, traveling to clients’ homes to provide assistance. In 2017, she rented her first small office, and by 2020, demand had grown so significantly that she needed a larger space. The decision to purchase a 1,000-square-foot office was daunting. “I was terrified,” she said. “I kept asking myself, ‘Can I afford this? Am I ready for this?’”
Her fears proved unfounded. Within two years, her business outgrew the space, leading her to purchase a 3,000-squarefoot office, followed by an expansion into Bismarck in early 2025. “If you had told me nine years ago that I’d be here today, I would have thought you were insane,” she said.
Her biggest challenge, however, has been finding employees who share her passion and compassion. “This job isn’t about just earning a paycheck,” she said. “You have to truly care about helping people.” Rather than posting job listings widely, she relies on word-of mouth and personal recommendations to find team members who align with her mission.
Looking ahead: A vision for growth
With the success of her two North Dakota locations, Polensky has set her sights on further growth. “In five years, I’d love to open an office in Texas,” she said. With two of her sons, grandchildren, and her mother living in the Lonestar State, the expansion would allow her to grow her business while staying close to family. “I already have clients there and the necessary licensing,” she said. “It makes sense to take that next step.”
Life beyond work
Despite her demanding career, Polensky finds time for her personal passion of riding her motorcycle. “I have a 2014 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail,” she said proudly. “When something good happens, I ride. When something bad happens, I ride. When I just want to forget life for a while, I ride.”
Putting on an average of over 3,000 miles a year on her bike, she has traveled across the U.S. and Canada, making stops in Montana, South Dakota, and Arizona.
Words of wisdom for women in business
For women looking to break into advocacy or start their own businesses, Polensky’s advice is simple: Follow your passion. “Nothing is out of your reach if you have the determination to go after it,” she said. She remembered how her college professor encouraged her to turn her class project into a real business. “He told me, ‘If you don’t open this business, you’re crazy,’” she said.
Today, Polensky wants other women to know that they, too, can succeed. “Don’t waste another minute doubting yourself,” she said. “If you have a passion, use it.”
With her unwavering dedication, relentless drive, and heart for helping others, Renae Polensky is an advocate not just for her clients but for women striving to make a difference in their communities.