Accomplished Risk Management Advisor and Underwriting Manager at Cigna Healthcare, adept in leveraging advanced market knowledge and underwriting methodology to drive profitability and efficiency. Demonstrated resilience in negotiations and a commitment to customer focus, significantly enhancing team performance and operational workflows. Skilled in mentoring and deploying technology solutions for streamlined processes.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Risk Management Advisor
Cigna Healthcare
Irvine, CA
01.2012 - Current
Performs case-specific risk assessments, evaluates claim experience, and analyzes total case profitability.
Help short-term goals and long-term strategic plans to improve risk control and mitigation.
Mentoring new hires and/or underwriters in during daily interactions, and takes on team lead activities including support for
Understanding the market across multiple buying segments, including competitors, TFs, discounts, pricing/product strategy, presales & renewals.
Assists in solving unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on the business
Manages an increased and/or more complex book of business. I use my advanced market knowledge to influence my sales partners. Proactively manages my portfolio. Strong understanding of the market approach and strategy, and how that fits into the goals of the buyer group and enterprise.
Advanced knowledge of products, systems, and underwriting methodology, used as SME training resource for internal/external partners. Recommends strong case strategy using RBAs and investment as a reflection of the projected risk and released cases at my maximum LOA.
Demonstrate the ability to own, negotiate, and drive communication with internal matrix partners and manager in order to own the decisions for their portfolio. Also use my abilities to independently explain thought process and UW rationale to matrix partners and external partners.
Underwriting Manager
Cigna Healthcare
Itvine CA/Phoenix AZ
02.2007 - 12.2011
Ensured efficient workflow management by establishing clear priorities and monitoring progress of team members regularly.
Conducted regular performance reviews for team members, fostering professional growth and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
Championed ongoing education efforts by organizing seminars, workshops, or webinars to stay current on industry trends and advancements.
Implemented technology solutions to automate various underwriting tasks, increasing efficiency and reducing manual errors.
Reduced loss ratios while maintaining competitive rates through diligent risk selection and adherence to company Policies
Proactively identified areas for process improvement within the department, implementing changes that led to increased efficiency across teams.
Maximized revenue generation by optimizing pricing strategies based on risk profiles.
Collaborated with sales teams to drive profitable growth and maintain strong relationships with key clients.
Collaborated with Great West Team members to ensure a smooth merger between Cigna Healthcare and Great West.
Underwriter
Cigna Healthcare
Bloomfield CT, Irvine CA, Phoenix AZ
01.2000 - 12.2007
Analyzed new business opportunities, as well as renewals to maximise growth and earnings opportunities
Assessed complex commercial insurance risks, making informed decisions on appropriate premium rates.
Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between departments, resulting in improved communication and streamlined workflows.
Contributed to overall departmental goals by consistently meeting or exceeding individual performance targets.
Collaborated with brokers to negotiate competitive pricing, ensuring client satisfaction and retention.
Stayed current on industry developments and regulatory changes, ensuring compliance with relevant guidelines.
Assisting in auditing presales and renewals to ensure compliance with financial and regulatory guidelines.
Underwriting Analyst
Cigna Healthcare
Bloomfield, CT
07.1996 - 12.1999
Calculated policy year settlements for Underwriting review and ensured timely delivery of the settlements to brokers and clients, income and terms and payments to determine financial stability of applicants to repay
Increased department efficiency by developing file and settlement automation
Assisting in mentoring of new hires on underwriting policies and decisions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And Sociology
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
05.1995
Skills
Being Resilient during difficult negotiations
Nimble Learning as new systems and technology are deployed
Managing Ambiguity during various interactions
Customer Focus
Resourcefulness
Managing Conflict during stressful situations
Collaboration and effective negotiations
Managing Complexity
Timeline
Risk Management Advisor
Cigna Healthcare
01.2012 - Current
Underwriting Manager
Cigna Healthcare
02.2007 - 12.2011
Underwriter
Cigna Healthcare
01.2000 - 12.2007
Underwriting Analyst
Cigna Healthcare
07.1996 - 12.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science And Sociology
Risk Management Advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbHRisk Management Advisor at Deutsche Gesellschaft Für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
<ul><li>Company Overview: Group Company of PUIG, Spain</li><li>Team Leadership & Process Excellence: Organised the transformation of the Finance & Accounts function, establishing performance-driven goals, and embedding a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Drove operational efficiency through process redesigns, SOP implementation and optimal resource deployment, leading to measurable improvements in turnaround time and accuracy.</li><li>Strategic Partnering with CXOs: Acted as a key advisor to the CEO, CFO, and other CXOs on business planning, pricing strategies, and business model pivots to support scale-up and profitability. Contributed to investor communications with data-backed insights to enhance stakeholder confidence and secure strategic funding.</li><li>Cross-Functional & Global Stakeholder Management: Functioned as the strategic finance business partner to cross-functional heads and the PUIG global finance team, aligning local execution with global financial strategies and compliance requirements.</li><li>ERP Transformation & System Automation: Led end-to-end ERP reimplementation to address system gaps, enforce role-based controls, and automate core finance processes—resulting in enhanced data accuracy, faster reporting and improved internal controls.</li><li>Costing, Inventory & Profitability Optimization: Designed and implemented plant-level costing models to ensure accurate COGS determination. Improved inventory management across pricing, consumption tracking, and aging analysis—enabling better working capital control and cost efficiency.</li><li>Manufacturing Finance & Statutory Compliance: Supervised end-to-end accounting for manufacturing operations and ensured full statutory compliance.</li><li>Financial Reporting, MIS & Profitability Analytics: Delivered accurate and timely monthly MIS reports, including P&L, Balance Sheet and KPI dashboards with deep-dive variance analysis across stores, business verticals, and geographies. Supported board-level decision-making through insightful presentations on financial health and business performance.</li><li>Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Planning: Led the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and rolling forecasts, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and market dynamics. Monitored key financial metrics to enable business decisions and proactive cost management.</li><li>Statutory, Internal & Tax Audit Management: Finalized standalone and consolidated financials under Ind AS and IFRS, ensured timely group reporting and compliance with international standards. Delivered clean and timely closures of statutory, tax, and internal audits in coordination with Big 4 auditors. Strengthened audit readiness through pre-audit diagnostics and rectification of recurring control gaps.</li><li>Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Ensured end-to-end compliance which includes ROC, RBI, FEMA, Income Tax, GST, Transfer Pricing, DTAA, and Customs. Reviewed cross-border contracts and transactions to ensure arm’s length pricing, accurate TDS application, and proper documentation under Transfer Pricing regulations.</li><li>Commercial Negotiation & Contract Governance: Led commercial negotiations and structured deals with vendors and franchisees. Reviewed key business contracts to ensure financial viability, risk protection, and compliance with regulatory standards.</li><li>Treasury & External Commercial Borrowing (ECB): Managed fund planning and liquidity management including ECB drawdowns, bank negotiations, and interest optimization. Improved working capital cycles through proactive cash flow forecasting and receivables control.</li><li>Internal Controls & Governance Framework: Led organization-wide reviews of internal control systems, identified process gaps, and redesigned or implemented over 40 SOPs and IFCs. Established a governance structure for financial discipline, risk mitigation, and policy compliance across departments.</li></ul> at Kama Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. & PUIG India Pvt. Ltd.<ul><li>Company Overview: Group Company of PUIG, Spain</li><li>Team Leadership & Process Excellence: Organised the transformation of the Finance & Accounts function, establishing performance-driven goals, and embedding a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Drove operational efficiency through process redesigns, SOP implementation and optimal resource deployment, leading to measurable improvements in turnaround time and accuracy.</li><li>Strategic Partnering with CXOs: Acted as a key advisor to the CEO, CFO, and other CXOs on business planning, pricing strategies, and business model pivots to support scale-up and profitability. Contributed to investor communications with data-backed insights to enhance stakeholder confidence and secure strategic funding.</li><li>Cross-Functional & Global Stakeholder Management: Functioned as the strategic finance business partner to cross-functional heads and the PUIG global finance team, aligning local execution with global financial strategies and compliance requirements.</li><li>ERP Transformation & System Automation: Led end-to-end ERP reimplementation to address system gaps, enforce role-based controls, and automate core finance processes—resulting in enhanced data accuracy, faster reporting and improved internal controls.</li><li>Costing, Inventory & Profitability Optimization: Designed and implemented plant-level costing models to ensure accurate COGS determination. Improved inventory management across pricing, consumption tracking, and aging analysis—enabling better working capital control and cost efficiency.</li><li>Manufacturing Finance & Statutory Compliance: Supervised end-to-end accounting for manufacturing operations and ensured full statutory compliance.</li><li>Financial Reporting, MIS & Profitability Analytics: Delivered accurate and timely monthly MIS reports, including P&L, Balance Sheet and KPI dashboards with deep-dive variance analysis across stores, business verticals, and geographies. Supported board-level decision-making through insightful presentations on financial health and business performance.</li><li>Budgeting, Forecasting & Business Planning: Led the Annual Operating Plan (AOP) and rolling forecasts, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and market dynamics. Monitored key financial metrics to enable business decisions and proactive cost management.</li><li>Statutory, Internal & Tax Audit Management: Finalized standalone and consolidated financials under Ind AS and IFRS, ensured timely group reporting and compliance with international standards. Delivered clean and timely closures of statutory, tax, and internal audits in coordination with Big 4 auditors. Strengthened audit readiness through pre-audit diagnostics and rectification of recurring control gaps.</li><li>Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management: Ensured end-to-end compliance which includes ROC, RBI, FEMA, Income Tax, GST, Transfer Pricing, DTAA, and Customs. Reviewed cross-border contracts and transactions to ensure arm’s length pricing, accurate TDS application, and proper documentation under Transfer Pricing regulations.</li><li>Commercial Negotiation & Contract Governance: Led commercial negotiations and structured deals with vendors and franchisees. Reviewed key business contracts to ensure financial viability, risk protection, and compliance with regulatory standards.</li><li>Treasury & External Commercial Borrowing (ECB): Managed fund planning and liquidity management including ECB drawdowns, bank negotiations, and interest optimization. Improved working capital cycles through proactive cash flow forecasting and receivables control.</li><li>Internal Controls & Governance Framework: Led organization-wide reviews of internal control systems, identified process gaps, and redesigned or implemented over 40 SOPs and IFCs. Established a governance structure for financial discipline, risk mitigation, and policy compliance across departments.</li></ul> at Kama Ayurveda Pvt. Ltd. & PUIG India Pvt. Ltd.