SONYA KNOWLTON
Concord,NH
Summary
Planning and Advice Director known for leading teams to top national performance, enhancing client outcomes, and scaling advisor organizations. Expertise in designing effective operating models and fostering leadership capabilities while influencing stakeholders across complex organizations.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
DIRECTOR
TEM Planning and Advice
04.2024 - Current
- Lead, coach & develop a team of Retirement Planners to provide financial advice to our Tax-Exempt participants.
- Led the team to top performance nationally 2026 PYD; RP’s top10-20% in all outcomes PI Flows, SIP Flows, and NCI.
- Partnered to establish second TEM P&A team in MMK; led branding, recruiting, interviewing, hiring, onboarding design.
- Co-led Planner Advisory Council, a national associate council focused on process improvement and leadership execution.
- Guided FLLs in building charitable initiatives through MMK LAC community initiatives, connecting leadership team.
DIRECTOR
DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMATION
06.2023 - 04.2024
- Partnered to design, communicate & gain approval for Client Service/Trading 123 model, working closely with senior leaders.
- Led research and development of compensation plan for Comp Governance approval, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
- Developed and supported Planning & Advice DevEx Expansion (8-week experience) for HNW variety of day roles.
- Collaborated with team to establish Trading 1 pilot program, enhancing service offerings for clients.
- Led team toward outcomes across sprint work, Miro sessions, brainstorming, Learning Days, and key stakeholder forums.
DIRECTOR
Launch Career Coach Pilot
11.2022 - 06.2023
- Coached, developed, and observed 40 CS FLLs bi-weekly to strengthen career conversations and L5 skill development.
- Facilitated national rollout of pilot program as Leader Proficiency Coach.
- Fostered partnerships with CS MLLs, GM, RCCs, and Launch team to ensure alignment and execution.
- Saw a decrease in MMK attrition of 5.7% vs. the national average of 2.7% over the pilot timeframe, key measure of pilot success.
- Co-developed content, built case for change, and tracked pilot progress as one of four inaugural Launch Career Coaches.
DIRECTOR, TEAM LEADER
Advisory Services
03.2021 - 11.2022
- Scaled RCS from 200 to 2,000+ associates by building processes and facilitating onboarding of external hires.
- Successfully onboarded, upskilled, and coached 100+ external CMR & PS associates to achieve and exceed performance standards.
- Collaborated nationally to develop and grow Advisory Services and support transition to WMS.
- Developed collaborative PS/FC relationships and pod structure to strengthen branch partnerships.
- Inaugural leader in FLEX pilot. Supported RCC facilitation of L5 content in all core topics in LR1 training.
- Co-led engagement initiatives as part of regional leadership team, including MMK Block Party with 2,700+ attendees across 35+ BUs.
DIRECTOR, TEAM LEADER
Investment Solutions - P&A
05.2018 - 03.2021
- Consistently led team to top national performance (top 15–25%) across flows, PAS Flows, CEI, and activity metrics.
- Coached and developed associates to leverage CSS, enhancing planning and advice outcomes.
- Led hiring and recruiting efforts, achieving recruitment targets.
- Partnered nationally to identify gaps, supporting development and rollout of 2020 ISR compensation plan changes.
SR. PREMIUM RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
WPA
06.2015 - 04.2018
- Led team to #1 nationally in planning conversations.
- Built and scaled first MMK PRA (Connect & Advance) team to enhance client engagement and service delivery.
- Piloted Connect & Advance for WPA 2.0, helping shape a new model that was adopted nationally.
- Partnered with onboarding and L&D to create external hiring and training program, which expanded nationally.
- Executed external hiring strategies to attract diverse talent, resulting in team composition of 50% external hires.
HIGH OPPORTUNITY MANAGER
CS
07.2013 - 05.2015
- Led a strong focus on client experience, resulting in #1 national CEI ranking for 15 consecutive months.
- Coached and developed team to identify client needs, resulting in generation of high-quality leads for business partners.
- Partnered nationally on young investors pilot to gain insights into engagement preferences, informing future strategy.
CORE SERVICE MANAGER
02.2012 - 07.2013
SR. PREMIUM SERVICE SPECIALIST
10.2011 - 02.2012
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR LOAN
12.2009 - 09.2010
PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
03.2008 - 12.2009
PREMIUM SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE
02.2007 - 03.2008
FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVE
06.2006 - 02.2007
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Studies
Southern New Hampshire University
Hooksett, NH05-2006
Certification
- Series 7, 63, 66, 9, & 10
- Certified ScrumMaster through Scrum Alliance
- Corporate Communications Certificate through Cornell University
Awards
- Leadership Award winner 2024, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 & 2014
- 19-time EIA winner
- 2011 Inaugural Voice of the Customer Ambassador Award
Timeline
DIRECTOR
TEM Planning and Advice
04.2024 - Current
DIRECTOR
DISTRIBUTION TRANSFORMATION
06.2023 - 04.2024
DIRECTOR
Launch Career Coach Pilot
11.2022 - 06.2023
DIRECTOR, TEAM LEADER
Advisory Services
03.2021 - 11.2022
DIRECTOR, TEAM LEADER
Investment Solutions - P&A
05.2018 - 03.2021
SR. PREMIUM RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
WPA
06.2015 - 04.2018
HIGH OPPORTUNITY MANAGER
CS
07.2013 - 05.2015
CORE SERVICE MANAGER
02.2012 - 07.2013
SR. PREMIUM SERVICE SPECIALIST
10.2011 - 02.2012
LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR LOAN
12.2009 - 09.2010
PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP RELATIONSHIP MANAGER
03.2008 - 12.2009
PREMIUM SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE
02.2007 - 03.2008
FINANCIAL REPRESENTATIVE
06.2006 - 02.2007
Bachelor of Science - Business Studies
Southern New Hampshire University