Tia Cirksena
Sarasota
Summary
Professional with extensive experience in transforming and managing businesses, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic planning capabilities. Proven track record in creating and implementing effective business strategies, fostering team collaboration, and driving growth. Known for adaptability and results-focused approach, excelling in entrepreneurial, dynamic and fast-paced environments.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Founder & CEO
Grace in Exiting
08.2023 - 03.2025
- Founded and established Grace in Exiting to address the gaps between financial and estate planning
- Developed resources, tools, and process to enable Executors and survivors to detail and document daily living essentials
- Identified and empowered a Leadership team to market, finance, and distribute our services
- Created multiple business lines to diversify company service portfolio and revenue streams
- Cultivated strategic partnerships for distribution
- Finalized team to build SaaS technology platform, ensuring scale, precision, automation and data management security
VP Business development consultant
Allianz Life
04.2022 - 09.2023
- Surpassed annual sales target by 800%
- Established network with Registered Investment Advisors (RIA)
- Built and maintained RIA relationships, collaborating with distribution for fee-based annuity (RILA) sales
- Facilitated presentations that promoted fee-based financial solutions at industry conferences and advisor meetings
- Delivered thought leadership on fee-based financial solutions
VP Senior STRATEGIC Account Manager
Nationwide Financial Group
02.2016 - 01.2022
- Built and cultivated B2B2C strategic partnerships
- Grew lagging Broker/Dealer Defined Contribution partnerships to or beyond stated sales metrics
- Fostered trust-based partnerships with clients, collaborating throughout the customer journey and experience, exceeding expectations while operating within multiple channel strategies
- Closed sales gaps by driving explorative discussion and creative ideation in cross-functional teams
- Optimized resources and secured stakeholder buy-in by liaising between teams and facilitating productive communications and understanding
- Created and proposed prescriptive sales process with our #1 Broker Dealer by communicating actionable feedback to management
VP HEAD OF STRATEGY-Retirement Plans
LPL Financial
04.2015 - 02.2016
- Pioneered a first-in-industry Broker/Dealer 3(38) plan-level ERISA solution in response to DOL regulations, earning $300M in first-year sales while minimizing risks and maximizing Financial Advisor value and consulting time
- Acting Chief of Staff, bridged internal departments and de-siloed teams by identifying synergies, standardizing cross-company, and raising awareness around division value
- Owned strategic vision, ideation, and realization for development of CIT program
- Built new revenue streams in collaboration with institutional partners and internal stakeholders
- Brand ambassador and being the representative for internal and external stakeholders
DIRECTOR OF RETIREMENT PLANS
Burnham Gibson Financial Group
06.2011 - 10.2014
- Coached and empowered a team of three selling and servicing DB/DC retirement plans
- Directed the entire retirement division, increasing profit margins by analyzing and refining business operations, creating efficiencies and scale to focus on mission-critical processes and short-listing partners
- Grew the business from $300M to $900M AUM and raised profitability by 5% within three years by implementing scalable, efficient processes
- Added $100K of first-year revenue to consulting revenue by working with clients and distribution partners to generate opportunities. Drafted legal contracts and scope, assigned fees, and found project-based engagements
- Improved efficiency while mitigating risk through a laser focus on practice management
- Strengthened brand through redesigned marketing collateral, website, and PR opportunities
Education
AA -
St. Petersburg College
01.1991
Skills
- Team leadership
- Strategic thinking
- Marketing
- Organizational structuring
- Process improvement
- Strategic planning
- Team engagement
- Project management
- Entrepreneurial leadership
- Innovation management
- Analytical and critical thinker
- People and culture
Certification
- Series 7 & SIE, CRD 4119403
- FL Life & Health, Variable Annuity
Early Career Summary
- Progressed through senior roles in business development, strong business acumen, sales and sales partnerships, relationship management and consulting at top tier firms such as Transamerica, MetLife and Ernst & Young.
- Revitalized underperforming team into a top national performing team, recognized and surpassed Chatham Survey in national benchmarked performance, leading to year-over-year exceptional client service.
- Maintained 99%+ client retention and resales by anticipating needs, aligning on goals, and effectively managing expectations.
- Reduced costs and improved brand consistency by streamlining client meeting workflows and automating review materials.
- Increased adoption of new solutions by developing pitch books with clear narratives and actionable insights.
Timeline
Founder & CEO
Grace in Exiting
08.2023 - 03.2025
VP Business development consultant
Allianz Life
04.2022 - 09.2023
VP Senior STRATEGIC Account Manager
Nationwide Financial Group
02.2016 - 01.2022
VP HEAD OF STRATEGY-Retirement Plans
LPL Financial
04.2015 - 02.2016
DIRECTOR OF RETIREMENT PLANS
Burnham Gibson Financial Group
06.2011 - 10.2014
AA -
St. Petersburg College
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