Debra Conner, JD

Experience

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  Phoenix Mutual

  Jan 1979 - Jan 1991

  Claims & Compliance

  Initially responsible for adjudicating supplemental major medical claims. Moved into role as state compliance analyst responsible for drafting and filing contract language in 50 states, Ultimately assumed a role as the federal compliance analyst providing policyholders and group sales representatives with educational materials on new federal laws affecting employee benefits.

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  Allmerica Financial

  Aug 1991 - Jun 1996

  Attorney

  Provided legal advice to multiple clients within the company including employee benefit claims and compliance as well as individual life and disability claims matters. Managed litigation in conjunction with outside counsel, including drafting discovery responses and attending depositions, mediations and trials. Acted as company witness in several matters providing deposition and trial testimony.

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  Massachusetts Casualty (Division of Sun Life)

  Jun 1996 - Feb 1999

  VP, Disability Claims

  Initially hired as Assistant Counsel with responsibility for providing legal advice on individual disability claims and managing the associated litigation in cases in central US throughout the east coast. Moved into role as VP of claims with oversight for all individual disability claims staff. As part of the senior management team I worked on strategic planning including development of a long term care policy.

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  The Hartford

  Jun 1999 - Nov 2000

  Associate Counsel

  Responsibility for providing legal advice on employee benefit claims, life and disability. Also drafted joint venture agreements and provided legal advice in proceeding with those arrangements. Worked with special investigations unit to facilitate their work.

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  GE

  Jan 2000 - Jan 2003

  Leader, Life & Disability Claims

  Responsible for oversight of employee benefit claim departments for short term disability, long term disability and life insurance claims. The position involved some organizational development and change acceleration using GE six sigma processes, lean technology and training.

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  Sun Life Financial

  May 2003 - Sept 2018

  Responsible for oversight of Short Term Disability & Long Term Disability and Absence Management in 6 office locations. Short term focus on integration activities with the legacy Assurant business, alignment of metrics and structuring short term disability claims and long term disability claims into one fully integrated disability claim department with absence management. This includes work flow processes, organizational structure, segmentation of claims and managing cultural changes. Oversight of a staff of approximately 400 + along with a budget of similar scope and size. Life claims staff added again in February 2018. Show less Responsible for oversight of claim departments that manage the company's highest risk claims including long term disability,life & life waiver and accidental death and dismemberment in excess of specific dollar amounts. This also includes the appeals unit, clinical and vocational resources, business analysis and the resolution unit. Oversight of a staff of (+ or -) 200 with a budget approaching 36M. Risk management and strategic initiatives.Serve as corporate 30-b-6 witness. Responsibility for building new claim teams for voluntary products involving life, health & disability claims, i.e. critical illness, cancer, and a hybrid disability product. Show less

  • VP, Life & Disability Benefits Services

    Jun 2016 - Sept 2018

  • AVP, Life & Disability Claims Management Services

    Feb 2012 - Jun 2016

  • AVP, Life, Disability & Stop Loss Claims Management Services

    May 2003 - Feb 2012
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  DAConner Consulting

  Sept 2018 - now

  Life, Health & Disability Claim Consultant

  Life & Disability Claim consulting with a focus on litigation support including Rule 26 expert witness reports and testimony, pre-litigation claim file reviews and evaluation of claim file handling and assessment of risk in preparation for mediation. Additionally, I have a passion for coaching, mentoring and training. I'd be happy to design training programs for your business needs, including Litigation Awareness, Management training, strategic planning facilitation and how to support an engaged workforce among others. Show less