Diane Yohn Becomes First Woman Appointed to C-Level at North Star Resource Group
MINNEAPOLIS—Diane Yohn, CLU, RHU, FLMI, CLF has officially been named Chief Operating Officer (COO) of North Star Resource Group.
The highest ranking woman executive at North Star, Yohn has served in multiple leadership positions since her start at the firm in 1988, including her most recent role as Executive Vice President (2009 to 2015). “I have fallen in love with this industry and stayed with it,” says Yohn, who has over 35 years of experience within the financial industry.
In 2013, Yohn was nominated to the executive board of TeamWomenMN, an organization working to “inspire, encourage, and support women in reaching their full potential” through mentorship and professional networking. Yohn is also actively involved in Women’s Interactive Sales Exchange (WISE), a national organization providing leadership, education, networking and recognition to female financial advisors within the Securian Financial Group network. She is a past president of the Minnesota Chapter of GAMA (General Agents’ and Managers’ Association) and a past board member of NAIFA Minneapolis.
Yohn was honored in 2013 as one of Finance & Commerce’s Top Women in Finance*, an annual award recognizing the professional and community efforts of outstanding women working in the financial industry within the Twin Cities. She holds four professional designations: the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Registered Health Underwriter (RHU), Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI) and Chartered Leadership Fellow (CLF).
Below is a Q&A with North Star’s new COO, Diane Yohn:
Q: What advice would you give other women who desire to be in the C-Level?
A: The best advice I ever received was to raise your hand when challenges are presented, ask great questions and come up with viable solutions. People who get things done get noticed and promoted.
Q: What are three characteristics essential for women in leadership?
A: 1) Accept that life will not be in balance—being adaptable and flexible is critical.
2) You do not have to have knowledge as well as a keen sense of when to ask questions and seek others help and input. Be a learner.
3) Find ways to say yes and be willing to negotiate, i.e. “I can do that project but need one extra week.”
Q: How has your career developed over the years?
A: Like most careers, I have had steps forward and steps backwards. I do not worry about climbing the corporate ladder but instead see it as a set of stairs with some landings. It is okay to stop on an occasional landing.
Q: What is next for North Star in 2016?
A: We continue to grow and expand our business through offensive strategies. Our Mission is “Changing Lives, Forever®.” To be a leader in any industry, you must innovate, change and grow. Like so many companies today, North Star is in the people business. Realizing that we are in the people business is impactful. Everyone can be a leader—whether formal or informal. Accept that you are a leader and take some action and you too will change lives, forever.
About North Star Resource Group
North Star Resource Group is a Minneapolis-based financial services firm that provides both individuals and businesses with the resources to help create, preserve and protect their wealth. North Star has more than 120 full time advisors and over 150 employees. In a network of 44 offices in 21 states, they have contributed to the financial security and well being of over 120,000 individuals and small businesses. To learn more about North Star Resource Group, visit www.NorthStarFinancial.com.
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Madison Netzinger
Digital Marketing Specialist
North Star Resource Group
612.617.6059
madison.netzinger@northstarfinancial.com
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GAMA International is a membership organization for which individuals must submit applications and payment. The organization is geared toward those in a recruiting, training, or supervision role in the financial services industry. Awards are based primarily on -commissions, premiums, or fees generated from investment and insurance products and other criteria relative to leadership, achievement, and recruiting selected by the applicant. Individuals must be current with membership dues and submit an application fee for consideration. Working with this individual is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.
*100+ nominations were received for individuals in varied roles within the financial services industry in Minnesota. A panel reviews the nominations based on career achievements, sales are not a consideration. There is no fee associated with this award. Working with this advisor is not a guarantee of future financial results. Investors should conduct their own evaluation.
Diane is an investment advisor representative of Cetera Advisor Networks, LLC.