Karen Bearden
Poulsbo
Summary
Visionary leader with over 15 years of experience in elevating organizational performance, transforming teams, and optimizing complex processes. Proven track record of cultivating strategic partnerships that enhance sales enablement, improve cross-functional alignment, and drive significant revenue growth. Expertise includes project leadership, contract management, and EDI optimization, with a consistent emphasis on continuous improvement and scalable, sustainable operational excellence. Committed to fostering innovation and efficiency across all levels of the organization.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Transamerica Life Insurance Company
04.2024 - Current
- Coordinated logistics and established structure for new and existing partnership programs.
- Supported and collaborated with multiple departments on internal processes supporting 3rd party partnerships.
- Created Partnership Playbooks to ensure alignment between our partners and key stakeholders within Transamerica.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
- Secured both new and existing long-term accounts by recommending appropriate enrollment strategies utilizing our 3rd party partnerships.
- Managed contract negotiations and contracting process for third-party vendors and managed service agreements.
- Managed vendor performance to maximize profitability and achieve financial objectives.
Director, Enrollment Technology and EDI
Chubb Insurance
10.2022 - 03.2024
- Created detailed plans outlining timelines, goals, staffing needs and other requirements for projects and pipeline activity.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive strategies to improve operational processes and organizational efficiency.
- Coordinated activities with other departments to expedite work and improve interdepartmental performance.
- Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Provided technical and engineering information to third-party technical support personnel during collaborative projects.
Director, Enrollment Technology and Strategy
Symetra
02.2021 - 10.2022
- Assisting with creation of marketing strategy and advertising initiatives used to promote Symetra's technology partnerships
- Developed seven new impactful and strategic partnerships with technology partners to drive business development
- Developed new processes and procedures for supporting new and existing integrations
- Assessed risk associated with various strategic initiatives and developed mitigation strategies accordingly.
- Analyzed business needs while soliciting customer feedback for process improvements
- Facilitated meetings with senior executives to discuss strategy initiatives and progress updates.
Enrollment Technology Relationship Manager
MassMutual
12.2017 - 02.2021
- Work with BenTech partners to develop, implement and iterate enrollment process and technology strategy to facilitate exchange of employee enrollment data to be processed with carriers
- Collaborate with programmers, underwriters, actuarial leaders, and claim experts to develop plans for new lines of business and or improving existing business
- Provided coaching and training internally and externally on benefits of utilizing third party enrollment/payroll administration tools
- Provide support for day-to-day operation of EDI files, processes, and improvement
- Coordinate strategic business planning for assigned third-party partners
- Developed technical specification documents for all worksite products and projects.
Enrollment Technology Consultant
Aflac
12.2013 - 12.2017
- Managed 200+ new and existing third-party BenTech vendors
- EDI file implementation and management
- Implemented and managed SSO/TPI connections
- Technology Vendor Contract Management
- Maintained primary relationship accountability for clients, overall servicing responsibility and client satisfaction to maximize profitability of client relationships
- Conducted risk analysis for all third-party integrations
- Trained Brokers and Agents on best enrollment practices when utilizing call centers and benefit administration systems
- Developed and implemented new proprietary enrollment solution for Aflac
- Assisted with creation, development, and onboarding of new integration Team at Aflac.
Account Systems Coordinator
Aflac
12.2010 - 12.2013
- Increased Aflac sales by implementing strategies to develop and expand client base using electronic enrollment systems (in one year, added over $400,000 in new premium)
- Vendor Management (vendor contracts, risk assessments, sales contracts, and compensation recovery)
- Designated as company subject matter expert for enrollment technology
- Managed production and usage reports for executive leadership
- Managed SOW's for third-party projects
- Created and delivered training content for Aflac enrollment tools.
Education
Associate of Science - Information Technology
Purdue University Global
Lafayette, IN11.2021
Skills
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Operational Efficiencies
- Strategic Planning and Partnerships
- Risk Management Assessment
- Contract Negotiation and Management
- Technology Integration oversight
- EDI File and Automation Management
- Project Management
- Competitive Intelligence
- Retention strategy development
- Effective team leadership
Accomplishments
- BRAVO Platinum Award | Transamerica 2025
- BRAVO Platinum Award | Transamerica 2024
- SPOT Award | MassMutual 2020
- Outstanding Contributions | MassMutual 2020
- Exemplifying Leadership | MassMutual 2020
- TEAM Award | Aflac 2012
- Gold Feather Recipient |Aflac 2014-2018
- Indiana Agency Development Manager of the year | Colonial Life 2009
Affiliations
- Volunteer for EquiHeart |The equine Encounter for Personal Growth and Relationship Development. 2023-2024
- Active Participant for Women's Initiative for Learning and Discovery. 2023-Current
- Gardner and Technology Assistant| Columbus Botanical Gardens. 2020-2023
- Running Mentor & Training Coach |2010-Current
Certification
IT Fundamentals
Purdue University-Global
Issued Feb 2021
Credential ID 29480450
Project Management Fundamentals, Strategy & Planning
University of Washington
Issued April 2025
Timeline
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Transamerica Life Insurance Company
04.2024 - Current
Director, Enrollment Technology and EDI
Chubb Insurance
10.2022 - 03.2024
Director, Enrollment Technology and Strategy
Symetra
02.2021 - 10.2022
Enrollment Technology Relationship Manager
MassMutual
12.2017 - 02.2021
Enrollment Technology Consultant
Aflac
12.2013 - 12.2017
Account Systems Coordinator
Aflac
12.2010 - 12.2013
Associate of Science - Information Technology
Purdue University Global