Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Alyson Erickson

Johnston

Summary

Accomplished operations leader with 20+ years of experience in the retirement and investment services industry. Proven expertise in process improvement, team building, and driving operational excellence through collaborative leadership and innovative solutions. Seeking to apply my experience and technical skills to enhance the RIS Resource Center.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director of Business Optimization

Principal Financial Group
03.2024 - Current
  • Provide strategic leadership to support transformation initiatives impacting operations and engagement centers.
  • Design and execute process optimization initiatives focused on efficiency and simplification.
  • Analyze current processes, recommend improvements, and provide feedback aligned with business goals.
  • Collaborate with internal and external partners to drive enterprise-wide improvements.
  • Key Accomplishments:
  • Created the Business Optimization Team to integrate support functions across operations and engagement centers.
  • Rolled out Distribution Consulting model in Principal Connection.
  • Led Project Top Gun (transition of Manila staff to Cognizant) and Project Endeavor (transition of print and scanning to Broadridge).
  • Migrated After-Call Interaction Surveys to Qualtrics.

Assistant Director – Retirement Svs Technology & Strategy

Principal Financial Group
10.2016 - 03.2024
  • Led a team of business operations analysts supporting engagement centers for Individual Solutions and Income Solutions.
  • Oversaw technology platform stability and future-state planning.
  • Managed high-risk, high-visibility projects aligned to enterprise priorities.
  • Balanced enterprise-wide needs with business unit objectives.
  • Key Accomplishments:
  • Rolled out Salesforce & Gen Cloud to all RIS Engagement Centers.
  • Migrated IRT engagement centers to Principal.
  • Replaced workflow tool for Principal Connection Operations.
  • Built out Principal Advised Services Engagement Center.
  • Shifted work offshore to PGS (Pune & Manila).

Manager – RIS Distribution Education Services

Principal Financial Group
03.2008 - 10.2016
  • Hired, trained, and led a team of Education Analysts and Communication Strategists to support retirement education strategies.
  • Oversaw campaign results and metrics, including reporting and NPV calculations.
  • Collaborated with service teams to provide high-quality, cost-effective employer retirement plan and participant education solutions.
  • Identified and implemented process improvements for Institutional education teams.

Assistant Manager – RIS Participant Contact Center

Principal Financial Group
09.2005 - 03.2008
  • Led a team within the Participant Contact Center, managing performance appraisals and departmental policies.
  • Partnered with Workforce Management team to ensure appropriate phone coverage.

Senior Retirement Specialist

Principal Financial Group
03.2004 - 09.2005
  • Supervised, motivated, and trained Institutional team members.
  • Acted as subject matter expert for ESOPs and Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts.
  • Served as liaison between PCC and Institutional administration area.

Retirement Specialist II & III

Principal Financial Group
09.2001 - 03.2004
  • Educated retirement plan participants about plan options via inbound calls and emails.
  • Assisted participants with retirement planning, asset retention, and accumulation.
  • Mentored new employees.

Education

BBA - Marketing

University of Iowa
05.2001

Skills

  • Team Building & Leadership
  • Relationship Management
  • Coaching & Mentorship
  • Problem Solving & Resolution
  • Project & Process Management
  • Change Management
  • Strategic Thinking & Negotiation
  • Oral & Written Communication

Certification

FINRA Series 6, 7, 66 and 24

Timeline

Director of Business Optimization

Principal Financial Group
03.2024 - Current

Assistant Director – Retirement Svs Technology & Strategy

Principal Financial Group
10.2016 - 03.2024

Manager – RIS Distribution Education Services

Principal Financial Group
03.2008 - 10.2016

Assistant Manager – RIS Participant Contact Center

Principal Financial Group
09.2005 - 03.2008

Senior Retirement Specialist

Principal Financial Group
03.2004 - 09.2005

Retirement Specialist II & III

Principal Financial Group
09.2001 - 03.2004

BBA - Marketing

University of Iowa

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