Erika Garza

Experience

• 

  USAA

  Jan 2003 - Jan 2018

  Guides and facilitates teams in the development and implementation of key initiatives and independently performs complex work assignments and problem resolution.Leads complex underwriting risk assessment/research for assigned lines of business to recommend new solutions or changes to underwriting policies, programs, products and processes to achieve enterprise priorities, ensuring compliance with state regulations.Serves as lead underwriting subject matter expert on projects or initiatives of larger scope and impact for new and revised underwriting processes or solutions. Provides insight to management on issues.Underwriting Policy leader for Auto Acceptability, Global Business Management Relationship, International Underwriting and Claims expertise. Demonstrates success in development and management of programs, procedures and policies including a robust Auto Underwriting Program. Exhibits strong relationship building skills with business partners and third party suppliers for successful program management. She demonstrates analytical skills by developing management reports, monitoring and evaluating programs.Successful Inventor:She applied and was granted a patent (Systems and Methods to Evaluate Application Data) by the United States Patent Trademark Office. Show less Provided underwriting decisions for all P&C lines of business within established guidelines and authority limits. Provided underwriting education, training, auditing, change management, and technical support to operational areas to ensure quality decisions. Applied broad knowledge of contract coverages and underwriting programs, guidelines, and processes.Resolved issues and navigated obstacles to deliver work product. Served as a resource to less experienced team members on escalated issues of a routine nature.Provided underwriting risk assessment for acceptability of individual files and/or risk segments of increasing complexity for all P&C lines of business within established guidelines and limits of authority.Created, modified, and delivered messages and/ or communications to internal and external audiences on underwriting programs, philosophy, and individual risk decisions.Researched underwriting trends, competitive issues, markets, resources, and processes. Gathered information, analyzed data trends,identified root causes, and made recommendationsDedicated International Underwriter and subject matter expert. Show less Provided member service and/or facilitated product acquisition through various channels (e.g. phone, e-mail, fax).Contributed to enterprise business goals through enterprise referrals and relationship building. Acquired and applied expert knowledge of products, services, and processes in order to deliver appropriate solutions to the member.Provided guidance to less experienced co-workers and served as a resource to team members on escalated issues of a complex nature.Demonstrated exceptional knowledge of acquiring, servicing and/or retaining products/services to include handling complex files/member complaints with World Class Service. Show less

  • LEAD P&C STAFF UNDERWRITER

    Jan 2015 - Jan 2018

  • SENIOR STAFF UNDERWRITER

    Sept 2011 - Nov 2015

  • P&C Staff Underwriter

    Mar 2008 - Sept 2011

  • P&C Underwriter

    Dec 2005 - Mar 2008

  • Senior Member Relationship Specialist

    Jan 2003 - Dec 2005
• 

  USAA

  May 2018 - now

  o Identifies and manages existing and emerging risks that stem from business activities andthe job role.● Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified, measured,monitored, and controlled.● Follows written risk and compliance policies and procedures for business activities.●Responsible for development of digital first products supporting the needs and risks of USAAMembers Leads development and launch of new innovative product offerings as well asauxiliary/enhanced features/services for existing products.●Develops recommendations to launch new products and the evaluation and decision tobuy/build or ally for individual product(s).●Generates creative product and coverage solutions for member needs to ensure a dynamicproduct development pipeline exists.●Responsible for maintaining thorough level of knowledge of business and underwritingperformance for products in scope (e.g. trends, results, etc.) Responsible for post-launchmonitoring, maintenance and underwriting of “new in market” products based on productperformance, member needs and competitive changes in the market including but not limitedto product rules, rates, and forms.●Conducts complex analysis of internal and external data and member information to supportformulation of product strategy and enhance competitive intelligence.● Develops and communicates the new product value proposition for individual products.●Ensures sales support is delivered to all distribution channels (e.g., .com, mobile, contactcenter) so that the new product is properly positioned to members.●Leads the analysis and evaluation of new product performance metrics to make changes toofferings, if necessary, prior to full launch.●Coordinates with relevant control partners (to include Legal, Compliance, and RiskManagement) to ensure product offerings are designed and implemented in compliance withall applicable laws and regulations. Show less ● Identifies and manages existing and emerging risks that stem from business activities andthe job role. Ensures risks associated with business activities are effectively identified,measured, monitored, and controlled.● Follows written risk and compliance policies and procedures for business activities.●Leverages internal and external data and member information to support formulation ofproduct strategy and enhance competitive intelligence.●Develops product dashboards and metrics recommendations in support of analyzing andevaluating strategic performance.●Partners with Marketing to define go-to-market and value proposition strategy of theproduct/feature.●Develops recommendations to launch new products and the evaluation and decision tobuy/build or ally.●Acts as product SME on features and services and collaborates with business partners toprovide recommendations.●Analyzes and evaluates product performance metrics to form recommendations regardingmarket opportunities and product enhancements.● Leads efforts to expand or change existing product features.● Contributes to decisions regarding product pricing and profitability.● Identifies and evaluates potential providers for alliance relationships.● Provides support regarding all aspects of Product Life Cycle.●Approves and provides support in developing, editing and distributing productcommunications.●Coordinates with relevant control partners (to include Legal, Compliance,and Risk Management) to ensure product offerings are designed, implemented andmanaged in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.●Contributes to the overall strategy of the business and collaborates with alliance to developproduct strategy.● Interprets performance results to inform product or sales forecast and planning. Show less

  • Director Of Product Development

    May 2021 - now

  • Director of Product Management

    Jun 2020 - May 2021

  • Lead Experience Owner

    May 2018 - Jun 2020