Stella Cierlak

Director of Retirement Programs in Southern California for 35 various Cities, Counties and special districts with $1.62Billion in assets, with direct responsibility to:

• Build strong client relationships by regularly meeting decision makers, board members, staff and influencers

• Implemented program objectives, establishing specific and measurable outcomes aligned with organization's overall mission.

• Identify risks and develop mitigation plans

• Collaborate with various internal and external customers to uncover issues, recommend /implement solutions.

• Communicate regularly with stakeholders, updating on progress to improve and build support for the program.

• Develop and implement marketing strategies to promote program awareness and participation.

• Improve program offerings based on changing trends, regulatory requirements and plan sponsor feedback and directives.

• Renegotiate plan contracts and agreements to obtain cost-effective pricing while upgrading the overall plan
  
• Recruit and train a team of ethical professionals

• Provide ongoing direction and leadership through coaching and led teams to achieve or exceed goals through coaching and training, resulting in multiple organizational awards.

• Coordinate budgeting, scheduling and resource allocation to facilitate smooth flow of operations.

• Successfully managed the relationships and smooth transition of all high asset California plans through the acquisition of National Deferred by Nationwide.
• Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with new policies and current regulations.

• Managed a team of 12 Retirement Specialists and helped team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
• Developed and maintained team assignments, workflows, procedures and reports.