Karen Tokarz
Karen T. is a seasoned executive with more than two decades of experience in the insurance and employee benefits industry. Currently serving as Vice President of Employee Benefits at Financial Products & Services, Karen is known for her strategic approach to benefits planning and her ability to align financial products with the real needs of employers and employees. Her expertise spans sales leadership, Medicaid, retirement planning, and complex plan design, all grounded in a strong foundation of relationship management and client service.
Prior to her current role, Karen held senior leadership positions with Fast Pace Urgent Care as Vice President and Director of Employer/Payor Relations, where she strengthened partnerships between healthcare providers, employers, and payors. She also spent over a decade at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, where she worked extensively in the large group market, helping organizations design comprehensive benefit strategies that included medical, ancillary, and financial wellness solutions. Earlier in her career, she served as an Account Executive with Cigna, further broadening her industry perspective.
A graduate of Trevecca Nazarene University with a Bachelor of Arts in Management and Human Relations, Karen combines deep technical knowledge with a people-first leadership style. Highly regarded by colleagues and clients alike, she is recognized for her clarity, credibility, and ability to communicate complex information with confidence and impact—qualities that continue to define her influence in the employee benefits and financial services space.
• Professional, Academy of Healthcare Management
• TN Insurance Agent
• TN Real Estate License
• Trevecca Nazarene University- B.A.
• Account Manager of the Year Award 2009
• Health Underwriters Association
• SHRM
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to hard work and a willingness to go the extra mile for my clients and team.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to not be afraid of making a wrong decision, because growth comes from taking action and learning along the way.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be prepared to work long hours and accept that you won’t always have the answers—but be confident in communicating that you’ll follow through and get the right information.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is navigating rising healthcare costs and complex pricing, while the greatest opportunity lies in the field’s strong career trajectory with unlimited potential for growth and impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Communication, integrity, and always doing the right thing are the values that guide me both professionally and personally.