Karen Waters
Niagara Falls,ON
Summary
Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong worth ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Inspiring leader with a high degree of emotional intelligence. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new concepts and skills.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Underwriting Operations
LOGiQ3/RGAX/RGA
Toronto, ON
09.2020 - 02.2024
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored a high performing underwriting team.
- Coordinated resources across departments to maximize productivity levels.
- Established and maintained positive business relationships with a variety of canadian and caribbean clients.
- Accountable for on-going underwriting workflow and workload balancing, while ensuring the agreed upon service level agreements for each client was met.
- Lead and retained a high performing team with a high level of emotional intelligence and superb client focus.
- Provided input in establishing and implementing individual and team goals, process management, people management, support and development, implementation of departmental plans and priorities.
- Recruited, developed and retained a highly cohesive and motivated team. Individual performance reviews completed semi-annually.
- Delivered timely positive and constructive feedback to team members.
- Focused on clear and timely communication with underwriting team, leadership, as well as both internal and external partners.
- In collaboration with the VP, Underwriting Operations, developed an underwriting career progression plan.
Senior Underwriting & Learning Specialist
LOGiQ3/RGAX/RGA
Toronto, ON
09.2018 - 09.2020
- Completed risk-based underwriting audits for internal and external stakeholders, including authoring and presenting the audit findings.
- Cross-trained employees, enabling completion of priority tasks during personnel absences.
- Designed, developed, and implemented training materials for underwriting a new product line, for internal and external underwriters.
- Reconstructed Life application and simplified electronic applications.
- Proficient in Life Valuations, Structured Settlements, high net worth medical and financial assessments.
- Developed and reviewed new underwriting content for underwriting training program.
Senior Underwriter
LOGiQ3/RGAX/RGA
Toront, ON
06.2016 - 09.2018
- Provided guidance and assistance to more junior underwriters regarding underwriting processes and procedures.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, best practices, government regulations, market conditions.
- Documented all decisions made during the underwriting process in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Senior Underwriter
Sun Life Financial
Waterloo, ON
06.2012 - 03.2016
- Completed cosigns, and provided guidance to newer underwriters, in order to help them develop their skills and achieve desired goals.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, best practices, government regulations, market conditions.
- Documented all decisions made during the underwriting process in accordance with regulatory requirements.
Senior Underwriter
Manulife Financial
Kitchen, ON
06.2006 - 06.2012
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, best practices, government regulations, market conditions.
- Documented all decisions made during the underwriting process in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Gathered and analyzed information to determine risk acceptability.
Skills
- Staff Management
- Operations Management
- Strategic Planning
- Hiring and Retention
Education and Training
- Certified FALU designation
- FLMI designation
- ACS, ARA, CXCE and AIRC designations (LOMA)
- Multiple management courses including: emotional intelligence, leading across cultures, change management, leading and persuading others, inclusive leadership, etc.
- Former director of CIU program committee
- Current committee member of CLBS
- Experience in Life, Critical Illness, Disability, Group Life and Health, Structured Settlements, Life Valuations, and Rescission.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Director, Underwriting Operations
LOGiQ3/RGAX/RGA
09.2020 - 02.2024
Senior Underwriting & Learning Specialist
LOGiQ3/RGAX/RGA
09.2018 - 09.2020
Senior Underwriter
LOGiQ3/RGAX/RGA
06.2016 - 09.2018
Senior Underwriter
Sun Life Financial
06.2012 - 03.2016
Senior Underwriter
Manulife Financial
06.2006 - 06.2012
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