Standout leader from the community featured each month
Actuarial Analyst III ,
Sammons Financial Group
Drake University
What first drew me to this field was an actuary who spoke to my advanced math class in high school, which sparked my interest in actuarial science. That led me to study Actuarial Science at Drake, where I later shifted my focus to Data Analytics. During college, I found a Marketing Analytics internship at Sammons Financial Group, which helped me realize how much I enjoyed using data to solve business problems. After graduating, I moved into an actuarial analyst role on the Annuity Product Development team, where I gained a strong foundation in insurance and financial products. From there, I transitioned into my current role on the Capital Planning and Analysis team, where I combine analytics, finance, and process improvement to drive better decision-making.
My favorite part of my job is the people and culture at Sammons. I also really enjoy the work itself because it has a direct impact on business decisions, which makes it feel meaningful and rewarding.
I’m particularly proud of leading broader team efforts to improve the quality and consistency of our reporting. Through process improvements, automation, team trainings, and building our own database, we’ve created more efficient and reliable reporting.
I try to stay on track by keeping a healthy balance throughout the day. Taking short breaks to go for a walk and stepping away from my desk at lunch helps me reset and stay productive when I’m at work.
Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The more you understand the why behind your work, the faster you’ll grow and the better equipped you’ll be to contribute new ideas and thoughtfully question existing processes.
Outside of work, I love being outdoors, attending events, and finding creative outlets through drawing, coloring, and journaling. I also enjoy reading in my free time.
One item on my bucket list is to travel to every continent in the world.
I aspire to maintain a career that’s both challenging and meaningful while continuing to grow my leadership skills through mentoring others, influencing strategy, and helping shape how teams view and improve their processes.
You can often find me out in the community trying new restaurants, attending festivals (especially the World Food & Music Festival) and events, getting involved with West YP, volunteering at Meals from the Heartland and Drake Relays, and attending Best Buddies events with my buddy.
