Sarah Janzen

Experience

• 

  Nationwide

  Apr 2004 - now

  • Lead and support the Associate Underwriting team by motivating them to grow and challenge themselves in their development and contributions to the department. This includes performance management, salary planning, coaching and feedback, and continuing education.• Embraces the Lean methodology by being innovated and passionate with teaching others along sharing ideas to better mature myself and the department.• Actively works with Sales, Staff, and our Product partners to obtain New Business and Renewals while adhering to Nationwide’s values and strategic initiatives. • Participates in national committees with fellow leaders to work on ways to improve and build upon our Hoshin strategy and experience for our members.• Shares soft skills and technical knowledge with the department to assist in workflow, learning gaps, and customer service. • Current state manager for MO and IN. Inclusive of: reaching out to our sales and agency partners on a regular basis, handling escalations and questions, soliciting feedback and opportunities, and providing training resources. • Embraces change by supporting the vision, leading by example, pointing out the benefits, and encouraging others during the process. Show less • Support our Small Market Underwriting team with their day-to-day responsibilities, as well as answering any questions or research items in finding the best solution for our members.• Provide coaching and feedback to associates in a professional, yet effective, encouraging manner.• Take part in professional development of our associates in one-on-one settings and sponsorship.• Take the lead on various projects and support the leadership team in committees they are invested in.• Grow and maintain strengthened agency relationships through responsive communication and thorough explanation of decisions, acceptability, and agency knowledge development.• Communicate and support ideas and strategies for workflow, pricing initiatives, and changes within the organization.• Initiate and participate in impactful communication and ideas with our Sales, Staff, and Product partners.• Handle escalations and fierce conversations in a respectful and first-time final experience.• Co-Lead of the Associate Advisory Committee and actively participate in training and development for our associates. Show less • Collect and analyze information from various resources on potential new business and current insureds for all lines in standard commercial insurance. • Review and evaluate renewals and change requests efficiently. • Invest in building relationships with agencies on Small and Middle Market accounts while building rapport within the Small and Middle teams along with our sales partners.• Manages underwriting territories for Small Market comprised of mostly heavy Middle Market agencies along with complex accounts due to exposure or price. • Personally invested in employee engagement for our department.• Active member of VIA, Co-Lead of Associate Advisory, Engagement Committee, All Women’s ARG, and the National Small Market Ambassador Committee.• Created and maintain the SPOT site for Small Commercial to house information and share communication. Show less

  • Commercial Underwriting Manager

    Sept 2019 - now

  • Commercial Underwriting Supervisor

    Aug 2018 - Sept 2019

  • Specialist Commercial Underwriting

    Sept 2016 - Aug 2018

  • Commercial Underwriter

    Mar 2015 - Sept 2016

  • Commercial Associate Underwriter

    Nov 2013 - Mar 2015

  • Commercial Processing III

    Nov 2008 - Nov 2013

  • Commercial Sr Processor

    Apr 2004 - Nov 2008

  • Commercial Lines Service Center Representative

    Apr 2004 - Sept 2005