Kara Castoro
Insurance producer/manager
Tacoma,WA
Summary
Dynamic leader at Symmetry Financial Group and 20+ years of management experience at Starbucks, specializing in team leadership and technical knowledge. Excelled in promoting a supportive and engaging workplace culture, fostering inclusive environments, and analyzing data. Skilled in complex problem-solving, recruiting talent, safety planning and mentoring, with a focus on and maintaining positive working relationships and a community ambassador.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Insurance Underwriter
Symmetry Financial Group
02.2024 - Current
- Implemented innovative strategies to streamline workflow processes, resulting in increased productivity among team members.
- Actively participated in industry networking events to enhance professional connections and stay informed about emerging trends.
- Successfully managed a diverse portfolio of clients across multiple industries while maintaining excellent loss ratios over time.
- Developed strong working relationships with brokers, enhancing collaboration on complex cases requiring tailored solutions.
Store Manager
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY
05.2022 - 01.2024
- Collaborated with peers to create an inclusive environment where the teams can learn, grow and strengthen leadership to enhance performance.
- Ensured training was consistently planned, communicated, completed and documented.
- Provided leadership, training and support by training four new store managers.
- Effectively established and maintained a relationship with the University Place Police department and coordinated several community events.
- Effectively managed two high volume locations, supervised 51 employees, provided direction to increase operational standards and team performance.
Store Manager
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY
04.2020 - 05.2022
- Provided direction and leadership through the facilitation of crisis, de-escalation and mental health first aid training to the team.
- Effectively established a safety plan for the team and established effective communication with the Tacoma Police Department and maintained a positive working relationship with the community lesion officer.
- Supervised and created work schedules, ensured rules, policies, safety planning and procedures were followed consistently.
- Conducted successful training for a new store manager and ensured training was planned, communicated effectively, completed in a timely manner, that lead the trainee to success in the management position.
Store Manager
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY
02.2006 - 04.2020
- Regularly conducted performance evaluations and lead purposeful development conversations to gain insight and increase team success.
- Effectively maintained working relationships with several community organizations such as YWCA, Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill and St. Leo's food connection and organized volunteer events that supported our community.
- Lead recruitment events to attract and assess candidates, perform interviews and create staffing plans to ensure the best talent was hired for the stores within our district.
- Fostered a positive and inclusive work environment that supported a workplace culture of support, continuous improvement and innovative thinking.
- Served as a trusted advisor to provide support and mentorship for newly promoted managers and the district management team.
- Effectively managed two high volume locations, supervised 41 employees, conducted workplace investigations, supervised safety training and implemented organizational policies and programs to maintain and enhance team culture and safety.
Assistant Store Manager
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY
01.2004 - 02.2006
- Empowered the team to establish role clarity and a decision-making structure that enabled them to effectively deliver results.
- Ensured all recycling standards were followed and supervised sustainability training to the district management team.
- An ambassador for the brand and set an inspirational tone for the team, customers and community.
- Run reports, analyze data and identify critical issues and opportunities to elevate performance.
Education
Washington State Insurance Licence -
Kaplan Financial Education
Tacoma, WAAssociate of Arts - Psychology
Highline Community College
DesMoines, WA06.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Communications
University of Washington
Tacoma, WA06.2003
Skills
- Technical knowledge
- Team Leadership
- Verbal and written communication
- Complex Problem-Solving
- Training and mentoring
- Employee Relations
- Recruitment and hiring
- Staff Management
- Policy Enforcement
- Data Interpretation
Timeline
Insurance Underwriter
Symmetry Financial Group
02.2024 - Current
Store Manager
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY
05.2022 - 01.2024
Store Manager
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY
04.2020 - 05.2022
Store Manager
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY
02.2006 - 04.2020
Assistant Store Manager
STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY
01.2004 - 02.2006
Washington State Insurance Licence -
Kaplan Financial Education
Associate of Arts - Psychology
Highline Community College
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology, Communications
University of Washington
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