Heather Burgess
Marietta,GA
Summary
Reliable Senior Project Manager/Owner known for providing stable, consistent leadership through full development lifecycles. Serves as calming presence and decisive knowledge base for development personnel during stressful design tasks. Proven leader of successful digital product development efforts through coordinated inter-team collaboration and expert guidance.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Digital Product Manager Lead
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
Atlanta
04.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with Engineers and the AI team to create a highly praised dashboard at both group and member levels, providing insight into current and future risk factors
- Successfully bridged the communication divide between the data and Underwriting teams, fostering improved product adoption and enthusiasm
- Effectively cooperated with domestic and international teams, outlining requirements for all Underwriting AI initiatives
- Persistently engaged with end users to grasp their needs and fostered a positive culture endorsing the integration of AI in Underwriting
- Identified practical applications for all AI projects and communicated these use cases in a manner that resonated with key stakeholders.
Director Group Underwriting
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
Atlanta
04.2021 - 04.2023
- Worked with IT developers to create a Level Funded renewal system for groups with less than 100 subscribers, streamlining the process for renewing approximately 1500 cases annually
- New renewal rating system provided underwriting with substantial case-related information on a single screen, allowing the underwriter to review multiple cases at once, while also increasing productivity and confidence in renewal ratings substantially
- Developed more efficient internal processes which reduced the amount of time an underwriter spent post-sale on a case by more than 50%
- Managed and coached a team of 10 underwriters, reviewing daily workflow and ensuring timely release of work, assisting underwriters with their decisions on complex cases
- Monitored competitor’s rates, benefits, and strategies for multiple market segments
- Assisted in developing new strategies to be in line and competitive with the marketplace
- Hired, trained, coached, and evaluated performance of direct reports
- Collaborated with Finance and Actuarial teams from stop loss and local health plans to ensure pricing and strategic goals align
- Consulted with Sales and Account Management leadership teams to ensure membership & financial targets.
- Developed high-performing teams by providing mentorship, guidance, and opportunities for professional growth.
Group Underwriter Consultant Sr.
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
Atlanta
06.2020 - 04.2021
Group Underwriter Consultant
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
Atlanta
04.2019 - 06.2020
Group Underwriter Senior
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
Atlanta
09.2017 - 04.2019
Group Underwriter II
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
Atlanta
08.2015 - 09.2017
- Led a team of 8 developers on the redesign of ASO portion of the Large Group Enterprise Rating Tool which resulted in 100% adoption from 0% adoption from the states that were actively using the tool
- Participated in migrating the Underwriting departments from their Legacy Underwriting Rating Systems to the newly built Enterprise Rating System
- Worked with developers to ensure calculations and desired end results matched between Legacy systems and the new Enterprise Rating System
- Gathered and prepared preliminary clinical, medical underwriting and pricing analysis based on information from historical claims utilization data to be used for decision making in achievement of business objectives.
Financial Accountant Senior
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
Atlanta
12.2013 - 08.2015
- Prepared internal and external monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting analysis including and not limited to balance sheet trend, quarterly aging reports and bad debt analysis trends
- Completed analysis on assigned accounts accurately and on time while finding ways to streamline and reduce the number of manual hours spent on each account
- Streamlined month end reporting process to reduce the manual hours spent by more than 50%
- Acted as liaison for departments, locations and divisions; includes working extensively with the Cash team regarding moving funds from our old platform to the new platform during migration.
Financial Accountant
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
Atlanta
09.2012 - 12.2013
Executive Administrative Assistant I
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
Atlanta
03.2011 - 09.2012
Executive Administrative Assistant
Coventry Health Care, Inc.
Atlanta
07.2008 - 03.2011
Executive Administrative Assistant
E*Trade Financial
Arlington
07.2007 - 07.2008
Office Manager
UGL-Equis
Washington
04.2006 - 07.2007
Administrative Assistant
UGL-Equis
Washington
05.2005 - 04.2006
Education
B.A., Business Administration -
University Maryland University College
College Park, MDMaster of Public Accounting -
Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business
Atlanta, GASkills
- Proficient in MS Office Suite, MS XP, MS Visio, MAC, SalesForce
- Basic skill level in MS Access, MS Project, Hyperion
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills
- Excellent troubleshooting skills
- Strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail; collaborative team player
- High degree of initiative; able to multitask and work under pressure to meet deadline
- SAFe 4 Product Owner/Product Manager
- Product Backlog Management
- Design thinking
- Voice of Customer Analysis
- Training and support
- Product Documentation
- Product Launch Execution
- Market Research Analysis
- Stakeholder Communication
- Product Strategy Development
- Wireframing and Prototyping
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Attention to Detail
- Multitasking Abilities
- Excellent Communication
- Organizational Skills
- Relationship Building
- Microsoft Office
- Customer Relationship Management
- Strategic Planning
- Strategic Planning and Alignment
Accomplishments
- 4 years of experience developing and implementing underwriting rating tools that have provided the ability to streamline multiple segments
- Over 5 years direct and indirect leadership experience (2 years with direct reports and 3 years with indirect reports)
Timeline
Digital Product Manager Lead
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
04.2023 - Current
Director Group Underwriting
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
04.2021 - 04.2023
Group Underwriter Consultant Sr.
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
06.2020 - 04.2021
Group Underwriter Consultant
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
04.2019 - 06.2020
Group Underwriter Senior
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
09.2017 - 04.2019
Group Underwriter II
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
08.2015 - 09.2017
Financial Accountant Senior
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
12.2013 - 08.2015
Financial Accountant
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
09.2012 - 12.2013
Executive Administrative Assistant I
Elevance Health (Anthem, Inc.)
03.2011 - 09.2012
Executive Administrative Assistant
Coventry Health Care, Inc.
07.2008 - 03.2011
Executive Administrative Assistant
E*Trade Financial
07.2007 - 07.2008
Office Manager
UGL-Equis
04.2006 - 07.2007
Administrative Assistant
UGL-Equis
05.2005 - 04.2006
B.A., Business Administration -
University Maryland University College
Master of Public Accounting -
Georgia State University, J. Mack Robinson College of Business