Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic
Debra L. Straw

Debra L. Straw

Waukee

Summary

Dynamic professional with a robust background in directing and managing large-scale operations, consistently driving success through strategic planning and execution. Poised communicator with exceptional interpersonal skills, adept at cultivating productive relationships with colleagues and clients at all levels. Creative analytical thinker focused on innovative solutions that enhance productivity and operational effectiveness, while effectively resolving conflicts and handling sensitive situations. Recognized for leadership in team building and fostering collaboration to meet both internal and external needs while aligning efforts with organizational goals.

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Director-RIS, Customer Care Training

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
03.2017 - Current
  • Lead the Customer Care Training & Activation Team in equipping the organization with knowledge and skills to help participants save enough and protect enough to have enough in retirement
  • Develop and drive high level initiatives to grow Customer Care culture, customer experience, and reach as a member of the senior leadership team
  • Design and implement overall training strategy, learner’s experience, and continued growth opportunities
  • Develop innovative solutions for wide array of learning styles that improve knowledge and skill development for new hires and existing staff
  • Drive talent management by focusing on mentoring, coaching, developing and closing succession gaps
  • Partner with senior leaders, market segment advocates and internal partners to implement strategies and share best practices

Senior Education Strategist

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
12.2013 - 03.2017
  • Strategic partner to financial professionals and plan sponsors responsible for the participant experience related to employer offered retirement plans
  • Serviced 14 client relationships with assets totaling over 7 billion with 401(k), 403(b), 457(b), Defined Benefit, ESOP and Non-Qualified retirement plans
  • Developed and implemented education strategies to increase participation engagement and retirement replacement ratios
  • Advocated for plan design best practices to improve participant’s outcomes
  • Participated in sales opportunities for prospective clients with retirement plan assets of 100 million and above to share the participant experience with Principal

National Retirement Service & Education Trainer

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
01.2008 - 12.2013
  • Coached, trained, and mentored new and existing Account Executives and Institutional Employee Benefit Specialists to ensure consistent representation of Principal, and the delivery of quality, professional education seminars
  • Strategized with Account Executives on education efforts to increase cash flow and asset retention
  • Built, designed, and facilitated impactful training sessions and conferences geared in increasing product and service knowledge, delivering best in class service, and maintaining Principal’s industry leadership.
  • Recognized subject matter expert for participant retirement education services facilitated in a group setting
  • Cultivated strong, respectful, collaborative relationships with various business partners to design and deliver outcomes-based retirement education services
  • Increased revenue and assets under management by delivering best practice services, education strategies and resources for the service team to utilize
  • Collaborated with marketing and communication specialists to design impactful client servicing resources, as well as ensure effective utilization of available resources

Employee Benefit Specialist

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
03.2006 - 01.2008
  • Motivated individuals to take action in their preparation for retirement by conducting group education seminars focused on enrolling, saving additional dollars, and making educated investment decisions
  • 2007 National EBS of the year, placing 1 out of 150 in an education contest based on ability to drive participation and deferral percentages, total meeting count, discovering referral leads, and scoring at top levels on seminar satisfaction surveys
  • Selected to be a member of an 8-person team out of 150 to present in finalist sales presentations for prospects over $25 million
  • Developed and implemented customized education plans and educational campaigns
  • Built solid relationships with participants, clients, advisors, account executives and sales force teams

Business Development Associate

TALENT PLUS
08.2004 - 03.2006
  • Primary tactical and strategic client contact for senior management focused on building a talent-based organization
  • Interacted extensively with senior management to execute integration plans and strategies to build a talent-based organization
  • Exclusively managed and coordinated client portfolio of $8 million
  • Developed and generated prospective client proposals

Education

Bachelor of Science - Business-Psychology, Sociology-Anthropology

NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Lincoln, Nebraska

Skills

  • Relationship building
  • Strategic planning
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Decision-making
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Change management
  • Program management

Certification

FINRA Series 7 & 66

Waukee Leadership Institute Graduate

Timeline

Director-RIS, Customer Care Training

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
03.2017 - Current

Senior Education Strategist

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
12.2013 - 03.2017

National Retirement Service & Education Trainer

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
01.2008 - 12.2013

Employee Benefit Specialist

PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP
03.2006 - 01.2008

Business Development Associate

TALENT PLUS
08.2004 - 03.2006

Bachelor of Science - Business-Psychology, Sociology-Anthropology

NEBRASKA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

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