Kate Dalton, CPFA, QKA

I love the retirement industry because … every day is an opportunity to help others!  I love working with participants to build their retirement strategies, and working with Advisors and plan sponsors on building successful plans to drive positive savings behavior.  It’s great when we can see measurable success in plans, and know that we’re helping their employees have a sustainable and financially healthy retirement.

How important is it for you to be a role model for the upcoming generations of women in the retirement industry? Is WIPN a force for change?  We need strong role models to move more women forward in the retirement industry.  While the landscape is changing, women are still underrepresented in many roles.  WIPN is absolutely a force for changing this.  By building stronger networks and connections, as well as the opportunities for personal and professional development, we have the potential to level the playing field.

My first job in the retirement industry was …  cross-selling retirement plans to my banking clients – in retrospect, I only knew enough to be dangerous!  and my current job involves …  for the past 14 years, I have been a Relationship Manager on the recordkeeping side of the business.  I love that my role gives me a broad reach across so many different advisors, plan sponsors, and participants.  From consulting on plan design and investments to leading workshops on financial wellness, I have the opportunity to meet with so many different people and help them meet their organizational or personal goals.

I first learned about WIPN … after receiving an invitation to an event with the Indianapolis chapter from one of my Advisors.  It was a great opportunity to meet other women in the industry and make new connections!    and the best things about being involved in WIPN are …the connections I have built with amazing women!  I also really appreciate the events that I’ve attended, both in-person and via webinar.  The webinar topics have helped to keep me grounded in this new work environment.  It’s great to know that I’m not alone in many of the challenges we’re currently facing.

My favorite quote is … Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.

Yvonne Dean, CFP^®, CWS^®, CDFA^®

How do you see WIPN affecting positive change in your career or industry?  WIPN provides unique networking opportunities for the women in our industry. When successful and passionate professionals come together to collaborate, share best practices, and support each other’s growth and development, we can make a difference. I particularly enjoy the leadership mentor circle sponsored by WIPN where I can regularly share and learn with talented women leaders in the retirement preparation industry.

My first job in the retirement industry was … as a customer service representative in a small insurance agency. We sold and serviced insurance and retirement annuities. The agent was selling his business and I offered to buy it. He declined the offer by stating that no woman could ever run his business. That inspired me soon after to become an agent with a large company and quadruple my income by the next year.  My current job includes leading a very talented team of retirement plan managers who provide service to a variety of retirement plan sponsors and Third Party Administrators. I also enjoy collaborating with fellow leaders to continuously look for ways to strategically and tactically enhance our product and service offerings.

How important is it for you to be a role model for the upcoming generations of women in the retirement industry? Is WIPN a force for change?  Serving as a successful role model is so very important; as a leader, I embrace the opportunity to give back each day by supporting and developing other leaders.  Role modeling starts with our values and staying focused on living these with energy, enthusiasm, commitment and integrity. High performing mentees are attracted to the opportunity to do the same in their own lives. Our jobs, as ones who have gone before, are to lend a hand and to develop this next generation.  WIPN is a force for change in this area by supporting and matching mentees with mentors.  WIPN also supports this with their focused study groups and networking events.

OneAmerica is a proud supporter of WIPN and my colleagues and I are grateful and proud to work for a company that reflects my values and strives to improve the lives of our customers, participants and neighbors.

I love the retirement industry because …  I want to make an impact and help others.  Although my career gravitated initially to nursing, I found great enjoyment helping others live financially successful lives and pursued this new passion in 1994.  Retirement preparation starts with a foundation of financial stability (securing adequate income while managing risk and expenses wisely) which allows investing for both short- and long- term goals. These are simple words which can represent complex challenges for customers. I enjoy collaborating with industry colleagues to help serve America along the path to a secure retirement.

What has been your most rewarding accomplishment in your career?  A farmer who was working with one of my advisors broke down and sobbed with relief when we told him that he could afford to retire that day.  The advisor’s professional and caring retirement preparation allayed the client’s fears and changed the way he would be approaching the last third of his journey in life.  This happened many years ago and still brings tears to my eyes as I write this.  To know that we made a difference in his life is priceless and this is a memory I will always treasure.