Andrea Schaidle, Age 37
Assistant Vice President, Disability Income Sales, Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company
In her current position, Schaidle is responsible for building relationships to increase the sale of disability products through independent agents, brokerages, and national accounts. She also serves as a strategic liaison and subject matter expert between distribution and agent contracting, marketing, underwriting, product development and other operational areas.
“Andrea has forged an ‘ideal’ career path at Illinois Mutual, starting on the phones as a disability income (D.I.) insurance specialist to a stint in the field managing all intermediary relationships across the Central region, to recently earning responsibility for the entire sales function of the D.I. product line,” said her nominator. “She is a leader in both sales and operations, giving her a full spectrum of skills and knowledge to drive the best experience possible for our sales partners, while ensuring the home office departments understand the ‘whys’ for the input shared by her.”
Outside of Illinois Mutual, Schaidle owns a small business selling Rodan and Fields skincare solutions. Outside of work, she supports St. Jude through fundraisers and most recently as a two-time runner in the Canton-to-Peoria run. She also can be seen ringing bells for the Salvation Army in December. Schaidle and her husband have two young children.
Childhood ambition: “An elementary education teacher.”
Advice to 20-year-old self: “You don’t have to have it all figured out when you graduate college. … Also, I really wish I had realized there isn’t a set timeline you have to live your life by. Take your time, enjoy being young, everything will happen when it’s supposed to.”
Best advice: “When you have a problem, take it one step at a time. Trying to solve the whole thing at once is overwhelming. Breathe.”
Biggest challenge: “Becoming a Mom! … I am slowly learning that it’s OK to ask for help, sleep is a necessity, and perfection is overrated!”
Local inspiration: “Dr. Susan Catt … is someone I’ve known for over 10 years now. Seeing the career she has built for herself and knowing she was raising triplets during that time is very inspiring.”
Peoria needs: “More options for specialized health care. Also, more airline carriers at the airport!”
