Kristina Hillgartner
Elora
Summary
Insurance industry professional with over thirteen years of successful experience in sales, business development, commercial insurance brokering and risk management. Recognized consistently for exceeding performance excellence and contributing to success, and the strategic growth of business operations. Strengths in negotiation and relationship building, backed by industry experience and exposure. Enthusiastic and eager to contribute to team success through hard work, attention to detail and excellent organizational skills and time management. Passionate to learn, grow and excel.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Manager, Small Business
Cowan Insurance Group
05.2021 - 11.2023
- Exceeded YTD sales quotas and increased profitability through effective sales strategy and business planning.
- Attended industry events, conventions, and other meetings with primary mission of expanding market opportunities and increasing revenues.
- Responsible for carrier management with top markets and liaison for multiple associations.
- Developed new lead sources and executed efficiencies surrounding digitization and lead management.
- Responsible for implementation of e-commerce solutions, workflows, and site testing.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Conducted team meetings and regular one on ones to reinforce goals and objectives and set clear expectations about policies and procedures.
- Presented sales goals, results, and department strategy in various forums including town halls, teams, and round table.
- Coached and counseled sales consultants, assisting with individual selling efforts and helping sales representatives reach targets along with technical training.
- Evaluated performance against goals and implemented appropriate development plans.
Director of Commercial Programs
aha insurance
08.2020 - 05.2021
- Liaised with departmental heads to align operational and sales priorities with total company direction.
- Implemented and executed sales and operational policies, experiments and standards throughout both Commercial sales and service.
- Approached and negotiated new Insurer partnerships and relationships with carriers.
- Delivered business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Actively pursued and closed new business leads for overall growth of the organization.
- Involved in executing referral agreements with other brokerages and transfer of business contracts.
- Delegated daily tasks to employees, streamlining daily progress and efficiency.
- Engaged in new business marketing and placement of new business
Commercial Client Service Broker
Gallagher
09.2018 - 08.2020
- Handled day to day client servicing requirements, while creating risk management recommendations, and maintaining excellent client satisfaction/relationships.
- Worked closely with the learning and development team, to provide onboarding and system training of new acquisitions, while maintaining 'super user' status to support existing staff.
- Responsible for accuracy of policy documents and timely delivery of renewals.
- Kept up to date with markets appetite, placements, and changing coverages within the industry.
- Analyzed client coverage, exposures and loss experience to determine risk requirements.
- Reviewed wordings and conducted wording and coverage comparisons.
- Actively planned and managed company functions and morale boosting events as part of the social committee, and participated in company and Insurer networking events.
- Worked directly along Account Executives to ensure accurate marketing of new business production; renewal placement and non renewal business, as well as winning new business.
- Maintained retention rate of 90% or higher.
Commercial Account Manager
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc
05.2015 - 09.2018
- Assisted on various mid market Commercial accounts, including but not limited to Commercial General Liability; Property; Automobile (Fleet and IRCA); Professional Liability; Directors & Officers; Cargo etc.
- Headed and implemented Commercial Programs, including application feedback, and engaging in marketing meetings geared towards the program.
- Obtained leads and approached clients for new business opportunities when directed.
- Comfort with developing, negotiating and implementing finance contracts.
- Participated in renewal preparation, proposals, and binders and leading the presentation of client renewal meetings.
- Advanced at delegating taxes and invoicing complicated accounts, including various Canadian provinces, and US funds.
- Experienced with issuance of both Canadian and Accord (US) Certificates of Insurance.
- Comfort with client interaction via email, phone, and especially in person.
- Understanding of the importance of networking and relationship building.
VIP Account Manager, Client Services
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc
05.2013 - 05.2015
- Cater to VIP clients and adapt specific insurance solutions.
- Responsible for full end to end customer experience cycle.
- Process all clients requests, new business, changes on company portals.
- Support other members of the team, when needed.
- Total account sales awareness- successful upsell and cross sell of 25% of existing clients.
- Attend seminars and external training, while exploring networking opportunities.
- Effectively manage multiple demands self sufficiently.
- Delegate and support junior staff when appropriate.
Account Manager/Sales
Brokerlink
12.2012 - 05.2013
- Effectively pursued and cross sold mono-line accounts.
- Actively quoted prospects and converted into new business.
- Provided quality technical Insurance consultations and recommended services.
- Adept in conflict resolutions by facilitating and participating in conversions, and care calls to insure satisfaction.
- Negotiated terms and conditions with Insurance companies.
- Underwrote existing accounts to ensure adequate coverage and lack of exposures.
Customer Service Broker - Private Client Services
Marsh Canada
04.2011 - 12.2012
- Responsible for handling of all incoming inquiries, changes, and transactions for personal lines policies while maintaining average call time below 10 minutes.
- Maintained detailed documentation on all client files, while following workflow procedures.
- Ability to work in a fast paced environment without compromising detail.
- Ability to operate productively and contribute to a team environment.
- Provided advice, support, and maintained relationships with clients.
- Negotiated and problem solved effectively with an Underwriting team.
- Retained business.
Customer Service Representative
Erb and Erb Insurance Brokerages Ltd
03.2010 - 04.2011
- Responsible for servicing home and auto insurance policies by processing endorsements, follow ups, mail and company requests.
- Navigated various carrier portals.
- Provided superior customer service.
- Maintained detailed file documentation to support interaction with clients and insurers.
- Maintained all integrity requirements of the Registered Insurance Broker's license.
Education
CRM - Risk Management Certificate -
Wilfred Laurier University
Waterloo, ONCIP - Chartered Insurance Professional -
The Insurance Institute Of Canada
Kitchener, ON10.2017
CAIB - Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker -
Insurance Brokers Association Of Canada
Kitchener, ON09.2012
Skills
- Charismatic Leader
- Forward Planning and Strategic Thinking
- Relationship Building
- Networking
- Profit and Revenue-Generating Strategies
- Results Oriented
- Financial Reporting
- Hiring and Retention
- Technical
- Curious/Quick Learner
- Problem Solving and Decision Making
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Business Development and Planning
- Communication and Engagement Techniques
- Sales Strategy Development
Timeline
Sales Manager, Small Business
Cowan Insurance Group
05.2021 - 11.2023
Director of Commercial Programs
aha insurance
08.2020 - 05.2021
Commercial Client Service Broker
Gallagher
09.2018 - 08.2020
Commercial Account Manager
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc
05.2015 - 09.2018
VIP Account Manager, Client Services
Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc
05.2013 - 05.2015
Account Manager/Sales
Brokerlink
12.2012 - 05.2013
Customer Service Broker - Private Client Services
Marsh Canada
04.2011 - 12.2012
Customer Service Representative
Erb and Erb Insurance Brokerages Ltd
03.2010 - 04.2011
CRM - Risk Management Certificate -
Wilfred Laurier University
CIP - Chartered Insurance Professional -
The Insurance Institute Of Canada
CAIB - Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker -
Insurance Brokers Association Of Canada
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