KRISTEN A. GULSON
Lebanon,TN
Summary
Dynamic executive with a proven track record at Insurors of Tennessee, excelling in strategic planning and organizational leadership. Achieved a 20% increase in operational efficiency through innovative financial stewardship and process improvements. Renowned for cultivating partnerships and fostering high-performance cultures that drive engagement and productivity.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
Insurors of Tennessee
Nashville, TN
01.2024 - Current
- Provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to the organization, ensuring alignment with the mission to serve and strengthen the independent insurance industry across the state.
- Successfully developed and executed a comprehensive strategic plan that enhanced organizational alignment and strengthened decision-making processes within the board governance framework, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency.
- Spearheaded implementation of advanced financial stewardship practices, optimizing budget management and enhancing fiscal accountability while maintaining service quality.
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders, expanding organizational reach and improving service offerings, contributing to a 30% growth in partnership-driven revenue.
- Demonstrated team leadership by fostering a high-performance culture and implementing professional development initiatives that increased team engagement and productivity.
- Managed administration of comprehensive benefits plan, including oversight of 401(k) retirement plan and profit-sharing options.
- Developed and maintained competitive salary structures, pay bands, and position levels to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity.
- Provided expert advice to external stakeholders on promotion increases, job evaluations, and complex personnel issues.
- A statewide professional association representing independent insurance agents, offering insurance products, continuing education and advocacy services to over 4,000 members.
Chief Executive Officer
REALTOR Association of the Sioux Empire (RASE)
Sioux Falls, SD
01.2010 - Current
- Work with the Officers, Board of Director and Staff to position the Association as a leader in the real estate industry.
- Managed the Association’s programs and business operations, responsible for implementing strategic direction and coordinating activities to enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Oversaw human resource responsibilities for a team of 6 employees and collaborated with the President and Board of Directors to support 140 volunteer committee members and 1,500 members.
- Drove membership growth and retention by providing value and enhanced educational and technology services to the Association.
- Oversaw organizational budgeting and reporting, working with Finance Director to prepare annual budgets and routine expenditure reports.
- Proposed, coordinated and presented high-quality and relevant content to membership events and activities to cultivate member competencies.
- Researched legislation, data and trends in the industry and interpreted implication to members.
- Identified and suggested effective best practices to enhance operational efficiency.
- Oversaw the transition and implementation of Intuit Payroll System.
- Build partnerships with local organizations, media, governmental officials and other key community partners.
- The state’s largest non-profit 501(c)3 professional trade association; serving the technology, educational and support services of its 1,500+ members in Sioux Falls and the surrounding counties.
Vice President, Human Resources
POET
Sioux Falls, SD
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Directed all human resources functions to include performance management, compensation, benefits administration, talent acquisition, and training and development.
- Transformed HR department into high-performing team, enhancing organizational culture.
- Championed development of first centralized training program and corporate university, fostering employee growth and management development.
- Built a compensation program which tied pay to performance as well as achieved organizational budget goals.
- Introduced and led implementation of web-based performance management system, streamlining performance evaluations.
- Successfully derailed union formation activity at the Bingham Lake, MN plant.
- The world’s largest ethanol producer, with 28 plants and 1,500+ employees located nationwide.
Director of Employment & Compliance
SIMPLEXITY / WIREFLY
Reston, VA
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Appointed as strategic leader to enhance onboarding and employment compliance processes, reporting directly to Chief Human Resources Officer.
- Turned-around operations and achieved compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley, state, and federal regulations.
- Developed new employment handbook and implemented electronic tools to streamline compliance processes.
- Managed recruitment, training, compensation, benefits, and warehouse safety programs for 1200 staff across three locations.
- Boosted employee retention by developing training and safety programs for call center and warehouse staff.
- Launched e-commerce platform to provide mobile virtual network operator solutions in wireless industry.
Director of Human Resources & Facilities
RAZORSIGHT
Reston, VA
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Recruiting Success in exponential company growth from 60 to 250 staff within one year.
- Directed US human resource functions, focusing on recruitment, compensation, benefits administration, and training and development to support organizational growth.
- Reported directly to Founder and CEO to ensure alignment with global growth strategies.
- Managed corporate communications for US and India, ensuring consistent messaging aligned with company goals.
- Selected to lead the company office building relocation as Project Manager.
- Planned and oversaw office relocation, coordinating layout, people and facility needs, and facilitating communication between staff, management, and contractors.
- Developed strategies for a startup that emerged as a global leader in cloud-based analytics for communication service providers.
Assistant Vice President of Human Resources – Facilities Division
PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF
Herndon, VA
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Led all human resources functions for the Facilities Division, reporting directly to the company president.
- Key business partner in the support of 650 administrative, technical and professional staff.
- Created succession plans addressing anticipated vacancies from 80% of senior management retiring within 2 to 5 years.
- Originated a structured performance evaluation and compensation system which established and clearly communicated expectations.
- Developed performance metrics to effectively track success and align with strategic goals.
- Analyzed business / workforce opportunities and developed short / long-term strategic plans.
- Created recruiting programs which enabled mentorship and career growth for recent grads.
- Introduced management training program emphasizing safety, harassment prevention, and career development for all staff.
- One of the world's leading planning, engineering, and program and construction management organizations - 14,000 global employees.
Assistant Director of Administration
ERNST & YOUNG
Washington, DC
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Managed operational programs and services across 3 office locations, supporting a staff of up to 1000.
- Directed maintenance, office services, construction, security, and human resources operations to ensure seamless functionality.
- Saved $5 million over 3 years by identifying unused space and consolidating offices.
- Coordinated logistics for complex office relocations, facilitating smooth transitions.
- Upgraded systems and improved access to documents by converting all files to electronic format.
- A multinational professional services firm providing assurance, tax, consulting and advisory services. 190K employees in 150 countries.
Manager, Customer Service & Ground Operations Manager, In-Flight Operations
NORTHWEST AIRLINES
Washington, DC
01.1992 - 01.2000
- Promoted two paygrades as Manager of Customer Service & Ground Operations, becoming one of the youngest female managers in a male-dominated industry.
- Directed P&L as well as all operational and service aspects for $25 million, 20-flight per day operation including 200 staff under three separate union labor contracts.
- Implemented new equipment to streamline customer rebooking processes.
- Navigated business planning during a 13-day pilot strike, ensuring continuity of operations and support for affected staff.
- Advanced through progressively responsible management roles, enhancing operational effectiveness at each level.
Education
BA - Business Administration
COLLEGE OF ST. BENEDICT
St. Joseph, MNSkills
- Strategic planning
- Financial stewardship
- Organizational leadership
- Shareholder accountability
- Policy optimization
- Process improvements
Executive Statement
Visionary Chief Executive with 15 years CEO professional trade association, 501c3 experience and 30 total years of comprehensive experience in leading diverse teams and driving operational growth. Proven record of strategic planning, team building, and corporate governance. Honed as a Vice President of HR and Director roles in HR and Administration. Adept at integrating training and development programs, leveraging my background in executive level human resource roles. Passionate about cultivating an inclusive and high-performing culture to drive business objectives. Holds a BA in Business Administration. Seeking CEO role to bring dynamic leadership and deep insights into non-profit organization.
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Insurors of Tennessee
01.2024 - Current
Chief Executive Officer
REALTOR Association of the Sioux Empire (RASE)
01.2010 - Current
Vice President, Human Resources
POET
01.2008 - 01.2009
Director of Employment & Compliance
SIMPLEXITY / WIREFLY
01.2007 - 01.2008
Director of Human Resources & Facilities
RAZORSIGHT
01.2006 - 01.2007
Assistant Vice President of Human Resources – Facilities Division
PARSONS BRINCKERHOFF
01.2003 - 01.2006
Assistant Director of Administration
ERNST & YOUNG
01.2001 - 01.2003
Manager, Customer Service & Ground Operations Manager, In-Flight Operations
NORTHWEST AIRLINES
01.1992 - 01.2000
BA - Business Administration
COLLEGE OF ST. BENEDICT