SHARON WHALLEN
Sellersburg,IN
Summary
Strategic Business Planning Manager and certified Product Owner specializing in life insurance and business transformation. Expert in leading collaborative cross-functional initiatives, defining actionable requirements, and enhancing operational readiness to achieve targeted business outcomes and streamline processes.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Owner / Strategic Business Planning Manager
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
Louisville, USA
01.2024 - Current
- Acted as Life Product Owner for Appian imaging platform, defining requirements, prioritizing backlog items, supporting UAT, and guiding workflow modernization with operations, business SMEs, technology teams, QA, and vendors.
- Led discovery, developed user stories, created acceptance criteria, refined backlog, conducted stakeholder demos, ensured release readiness, and communicated business updates for Appian enhancements.
- Collaborated with IT, QA, operations, and vendor teams to clarify scope, resolve questions, and ensure alignment of delivery with business outcomes.
- One of the world’s leading insurance companies specializing in life, investment, and retirement products.
Lead Business Transformation Consultant
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
Louisville, USA
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Led business analysis and transformation for Life Insurance Strategic Planning Office initiatives, gathering requirements, documenting processes, assessing impacts, supporting prioritization, and ensuring operational readiness.
- Worked for a global insurance company focusing on life, investment, and retirement products.
- Led transformation initiatives to enhance operational efficiency across multiple departments.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to streamline business processes and improve outcomes.
- Analyzed customer feedback to identify areas for service improvement and innovation.
Lead Sales Trainer
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
Louisville, USA
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Led Life Business training across WFG, Transamerica Life Distributors, Brokerage, and Transamerica Agency Network channels, facilitating product launches, platform changes, Salesforce CRM adoption, and new hire onboarding.
- Developed comprehensive training materials for product enhancements and process changes, including iPipeline eApp, MRAS Underwriting platform, and Salesforce CRM, enhancing team readiness.
- Collaborated with Business Adoption, Experience Strategy, Marketing, Competitive Analysis, and Distribution teams to ensure effective launch readiness and implementation.
- One of the world’s leading insurance companies specializing in life, investment, and retirement products.
Distribution Implementation Consultant
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
Louisville, USA
01.2015 - 01.2021
- Served as business lead consultant for Life Insurance distribution and sales initiatives, including launch planning, distribution requirements, product communications, Workfront coordination, and sales-impact readiness for operational platform changes.
- One of the world’s leading insurance companies specializing in life, investment, and retirement products.
Project and Program Manager
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
Louisville, USA
01.2007 - 01.2015
- Managed variable annuity and mutual fund product development initiatives, including project planning, business systems requirements, competitive positioning, reporting, marketing services, and implementation readiness.
- One of the world’s leading insurance companies specializing in life, investment, and retirement products.
Sales Distribution Relationship Management
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
Louisville, USA
01.2003 - 01.2007
- Managed advisor and broker/dealer relationships for variable insurance and investment products, including new business support, issue resolution, CRM implementation support, SharePoint website enhancements, and monthly/quarterly sales reporting.
- One of the world’s leading insurance companies specializing in life, investment, and retirement products.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Ottawa University
PMI Certification - Project Management
University of Louisville
SAFe Agile Product Owner/Product Management Certification -
Skills
- Product ownership and backlog management
- Requirements documentation and user stories
- Stakeholder engagement and UAT planning
- Release readiness and business process improvement
- Training facilitation and Jira expertise
- Salesforce CRM and SharePoint proficiency
- Microsoft Teams and Copilot usage
- Microsoft Office applications
Timeline
Product Owner / Strategic Business Planning Manager
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
01.2024 - Current
Lead Business Transformation Consultant
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
01.2023 - 01.2024
Lead Sales Trainer
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
01.2021 - 01.2023
Distribution Implementation Consultant
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
01.2015 - 01.2021
Project and Program Manager
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
01.2007 - 01.2015
Sales Distribution Relationship Management
AEGON / TRANSAMERICA
01.2003 - 01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Business Management
Ottawa University
PMI Certification - Project Management
University of Louisville