Open To Work
Blake Swenson
Delano,USA
Summary
Dynamic management consultant with a proven track record at Thrivent, driving digital transformations and enhancing sales performance. Expert in CRM transformations and strategic planning. Successfully led initiatives that improved advisor retention and streamlined operations, showcasing my ability to build high-performance teams and implement effective business growth strategies.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Management Consultant
SWENSON MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC.
12.2024 - Current
- Conducted business process and technology assessments for tech startups and fast-growth wealth management firms, identifying key areas for improvement.
- Advised firms on transformation programs, facilitating transitions to new operating models and enhancing operational effectiveness.
- Led advisory team for multinational financial services organization, delivering technology talent assessment and roadmap for new operating model.
- Outcomes were the reduction of redundant staff and investment in new talent and training to align with the target architecture.
Vice President Sales Technology and Operations
THRIVENT
Minneapolis, USA
09.2016 - 12.2024
- Deployed to fill a critical role supporting Advisors Technology Platforms and revitalizing a struggling CRM reimplementation.
- Expanded span of influence in 2021 to guide product delivery teams with ~ 80 engineering and product management professionals as well as scrum masters supporting Thrivent's sales organization.
- Developed and implemented technology and talent strategies that enhanced productivity and improved sales force retention.
- Provided strategic leadership focused on improving the advisor experience and performance.
- Enhanced CRM performance, achieving enthusiastic adoption among 5,000 advisors and staff as Thrivent's core CRM workstation.
- Rescued a troubled CRM implementation by successfully reimplementing a new CRM platform.
- Authored and drove multi-year technology strategy to implement a common advisor technology ecosystem and eliminate redundant SAAS solutions.
- Transformed Distribution Technology organization from project-based delivery to product operating model, establishing 30 persistent delivery teams.
- Improved teamwork and collaboration by reorganizing the Sales and Fraternal Technology Solutions BUs.
- Cultivated a culture shift that enhanced advisor capabilities and simplified user experience.
- Enhanced technology to better support sales and the customer experience.
- Modernized technology across aging infrastructure and custom-built applications.
- Developed and drove roadmap efforts facilitating replacement of legacy infrastructure, marketing, charitable giving programs, and company websites.
- Successfully reintegrated an Independent Wealth Advisor Broker / Dealer platform with an internal platform while retaining 90%+ of accounts and advisors.
- Redesigned the Incentive and Sales Performance Management platform, reducing total cost per payee for 3K+ payees while increasing same-store sales and driving balanced growth.
- Earned Top Firm Innovator 2024 Luminary Award in Financial Planning.
- Developed and released the Thrivent Financial Planning platform that delivered a 200% increase in comprehensive financial planning accounts, generated higher closing rates, grew average case size, and increased product placements per household.
- Reduced scope while utilizing standard configurations to improve agility in future enhancements.
- Responsibly managed a $20M annual spend.
- American Fortune 500 not-for-profit financial services organization.
Consulting Manager, Sales Force Effectiveness
DELOITTE
Minneapolis, USA
05.2015 - 09.2016
- Acted as interim Salesforce Product Manager at Transamerica, driving migration of its Retirement Services Sales division from Microsoft Dynamics to Salesforce.
- Facilitated divestiture of HPE services to CSC by creating playbook for separating sales agreements and splitting sales operations, ensuring smooth transition.
- Identified and recommended replacement technology for mainframe operations at Cushman Wakefield to enhance operational capabilities.
Director of Field Compensation and Administration
THRIVENT
Minneapolis, USA
01.2010 - 05.2015
- Provided steady leadership to a team that implemented three major compensation plan changes to the sales organization while delivering a 99% Advisor Retention rate, reducing over payments, driving YoY membership growth, lowering financial risk, increasing practice profitability, and providing a balanced sales mix.
- Guided 40 employees and contractors in implementing and maintaining go-to-market incentives, producer profitability, and succession planning programs.
- Generated cost savings of $3M+ annually by streamlining fraud detection and automating processes.
- Identified and implemented process improvements to enhance operational efficiency.
- Directed industry research and benchmarking studies with the Life Insurance Marketing Research Association.
- Hired as FTE after two years of successfully implementing a new sales performance management platform.
Consulting Program Manager
ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL
Minneapolis, USA
03.2008 - 01.2010
- Restructured multi-year post-merger strategic initiative at Thrivent for new sales performance management platform to align with organizational goals.
- Managed cross-functional teams to enhance project delivery and collaboration.
- Developed and implemented project plans to guide operational efficiency.
- Coordinated resources and schedules to meet diverse client needs.
Consulting Program Manager
PROJECT CONSULTING GROUP
Minneapolis, USA
04.2007 - 03.2008
- Led new product engagements for Ameriprise banking division, enhancing client product and service offerings.
- Led cross-functional teams to coordinate project deliverables and timelines.
- Managed stakeholder communications, aligning project objectives with business goals.
- Developed comprehensive project plans using industry-standard tools and methodologies, ensuring timely execution.
Director of Technology and Finance Operations
GMAC RESCAP
Bloomington, USA
02.2001 - 04.2007
- Directed project management and Sarbanes Oxley 'SOX' compliance for Finance division, ensuring regulatory adherence and reducing potential risks.
- Restructured business unit to enhance development and maintenance of reusable enterprise integration services, improving overall service delivery.
- Led technology strategy to enhance operational efficiency across business units.
- Directed software development initiatives to support core business processes.
- Managed IT infrastructure to ensure system reliability and security compliance.
Project Manager
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT
Chicago, USA
01.1998 - 02.2001
- Led data conversion projects for custom-developed institutional trading platform and analytical reporting platform for Goldman Sachs' wholesalers, enhancing data accessibility and reporting capabilities.
- Led project teams to implement strategic investment initiatives at a global financial firm.
- Managed timelines and budgets for multiple asset management projects simultaneously.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on project objectives.
Senior Business Analyst Consultant
AON-HEWITT
Lincolnshire, USA
05.1995 - 01.1998
- Developed cash balance retirement solution for Monsanto divestiture, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and facilitating a smooth transition for affected employees.
Stock Analyst Intern
GRUPO BITAL
México City, México
09.1995 - 12.1995
- Conducted detailed analysis of major Mexican packaging and consumer goods companies to identify market trends and investment opportunities.
- Analyzed market trends to inform investment strategies and recommendations.
- Evaluated financial reports for accuracy and compliance with regulations.
- Collaborated with team members to develop comprehensive stock portfolios.
Education
MBA - Finance
DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
Chicago, ILBA - Double major business administration and Spanish
Concordia College
Moorhead, MNSkills
- Financial Services and Wealth Management
- Business Growth and IT Strategies
- Digital and Financial Transformation
- Risk Management Strategies
- Performance Improvement Strategies
- Strategic Planning and Change Management
- Change Management Initiatives
- Enterprise Project and Program Management
- Business and Technology Process Improvement
- CRM Transformations
- Sales Performance Optimization
- Wealth Management Technologies
- Agile DevOps
- High-Performance Team Building
- Business Partnering and Stakeholder Engagement
- Systems Implementations and Migrations
Websites
Certification
- Project Management Professional (PMP), inactive
- WealthTech Executive Cohort Member for Senior Executive Accountable for Wealth Technology Strategy
- Digital Marketing Sales Technology Group Committee Member for Insurance and Wealth Management Industry
- LIMRA Distribution Management Committee Executive Member
- MDA Leadership Executive Coaching Program Recipient
Work Preference
Job Search Status
Open to workSalary Range
$185000/yr - $200000/yrTimeline
Management Consultant
SWENSON MANAGEMENT CONSULTING, LLC.
12.2024 - Current
Vice President Sales Technology and Operations
THRIVENT
09.2016 - 12.2024
Consulting Manager, Sales Force Effectiveness
DELOITTE
05.2015 - 09.2016
Director of Field Compensation and Administration
THRIVENT
01.2010 - 05.2015
Consulting Program Manager
ROBERT HALF INTERNATIONAL
03.2008 - 01.2010
Consulting Program Manager
PROJECT CONSULTING GROUP
04.2007 - 03.2008
Director of Technology and Finance Operations
GMAC RESCAP
02.2001 - 04.2007
Project Manager
GOLDMAN SACHS ASSET MANAGEMENT
01.1998 - 02.2001
Stock Analyst Intern
GRUPO BITAL
09.1995 - 12.1995
Senior Business Analyst Consultant
AON-HEWITT
05.1995 - 01.1998
MBA - Finance
DePaul University Kellstadt Graduate School of Business
BA - Double major business administration and Spanish
Concordia College