Taryn Fritz
Tea,SD
Summary
Compassionate people and operations leader with over 12 years of experience, including seven in leadership roles. Expertise in building trusted relationships, coordinating cross-functional teams, and advocating for employee and customer needs to drive improved service delivery and engagement. Committed to creating supportive environments that empower individuals and facilitate successful outcomes.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Life New Business Leader
SAMMONS FINANCIAL GROUP
Sioux Falls, SD
01.2021 - 07.2026
- Lead teams responsible for managing complex new-business and policy-service processes while maintaining a strong focus on customer needs, accuracy, confidentiality, and timely follow-through.
- Build trusting relationships with employees, customers, business partners, and internal stakeholders by listening carefully, communicating clearly, and responding to individual needs with empathy and professionalism.
- Guided individuals through complicated processes, clarified requirements, addressed barriers, and outlined appropriate next steps.
- Coordinate work and information across multiple departments to promote continuity, prevent gaps in service, and support successful outcomes.
- Review individual situations, gather relevant information, evaluate needs, and partner with others to develop practical and achievable action plans.
- Advocate for customers and employees when processes, communication gaps, or other obstacles interfere with their ability to move forward.
- Manage multiple priorities, deadlines, escalations, and sensitive situations while maintaining attention to detail and consistent communication.
- Coach and support employees through challenging conversations, changing expectations, performance concerns, and professional development needs.
- Develop and deliver training for new employees and experienced team members on processes, expectations, communication, quality, and customer support.
- Collaborate with leaders, subject-matter experts, quality teams, training partners, vendors, and other departments to address evolving needs.
- Identified trends, service gaps, and improvement opportunities, recommending solutions that enhanced employee and customer experience.
- Support organizational change by communicating expectations, answering questions, addressing concerns, and helping employees adapt successfully.
- Acted as a reliable point of contact for sensitive concerns and complex cases, exercising discretion, resourcefulness, and thorough follow-up.
Previous Operations and Leadership Positions
SAMMONS FINANCIAL GROUP
Sioux Falls, SD
01.2014 - 01.2021
- Advanced through positions of increasing responsibility based on performance, leadership ability, relationship-building skills, and knowledge of complex operational processes.
- Partnered with multiple teams to ensure work was completed accurately, efficiently, and in alignment with customer needs.
- Assisted with employee development and training, coordinated workflow, and implemented new processes to improve overall quality.
- Supported customers and business partners by gathering information, clarifying requirements, coordinating next steps, and resolving service-related concerns to enhance satisfaction.
- Maintained detailed records and handled confidential personal and financial information with care and discretion.
- Built a reputation for approachability and dependability, helping others navigate difficult or unfamiliar situations effectively.
Education
Associates - Business Administration
Southeast Tech
Sioux Falls, SD05-2012
Skills
- Project management
- Resource coordination
- Client relationship management
- Barrier advocacy
- Intake and Information Gathering
- Process Improvement
- Cross-team collaboration
- Community and Partner Engagement
- Training and Education
- Employee development
- Time Management and Organization
- Microsoft Office and Teams
- Crisis-Sensitive Communication
- Compassionate Communication
- Confidential Documentation
- Goal management
Selected Leadership And Community Experience
Contribute to employee-engagement initiatives designed to strengthen communication, connection, recognition, and workplace culture., Create opportunities for employees to share concerns, provide feedback, and participate in collaborative solutions., Encourage leaders to consider the individual experience behind operational results and business decisions., Promote a people-first approach grounded in dignity, respect, accountability, and compassion., Coordinate and facilitate training for new hires and existing employees across multiple business processes., Translate complex information into clear, understandable guidance for individuals with varying levels of knowledge and experience., Provide ongoing coaching, encouragement, feedback, and practical resources to help employees reach their goals., Evaluate training and implementation outcomes to identify lessons learned and improve future delivery., Coordinate initiatives involving operations, training, quality assurance, technology, shared services, leadership, and external business partners., Serve as a liaison between groups with different responsibilities, priorities, and perspectives., Track assignments, communicate updates, identify barriers, and help ensure commitments are completed., Support continuity during organizational changes, transitions, and complex implementations.
Additional Qualifications
- More than 12 years of experience supporting individuals through complex processes
- Seven years of formal leadership experience
- Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
- Experienced in handling confidential and emotionally sensitive matters
- Comfortable working independently and collaboratively
- Able to manage multiple priorities and adjust to changing needs
- Willing to complete specialized training in trauma-informed and survivor-centered care
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel, if applicable
- Available for occasional evening, weekend, or overnight responsibilities, if applicable
Professional Development
- Leadership Development
- Project Management
- Change Management
- Employee Coaching and Development
- Conflict Resolution
- Customer Service and Relationship Management
- Confidentiality and Information Protection
- Process Improvement
Timeline
Life New Business Leader
SAMMONS FINANCIAL GROUP
01.2021 - 07.2026
Previous Operations and Leadership Positions
SAMMONS FINANCIAL GROUP
01.2014 - 01.2021
Associates - Business Administration
Southeast Tech