Influential Woman · Financial Advising
Renee De Haan
Financial Services Staff Manager, Western and Southern Life Insurance Company
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Her Story
About Renee
Renee De Haan is a Staff Manager at Western & Southern Life, where she leads a team of financial advisors and continues to build on a career defined by rapid growth, resilience, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. Before entering the financial services industry, Renee spent 23 years in healthcare, beginning as a phlebotomist and eventually taking on responsibilities that included authoring a new employee training manual and helping establish a COVID-19 testing site — all while pursuing her education. During this time, she also developed a more cost-effective supply ordering system that saved her hospital hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, a reflection of the analytical, solutions-oriented mindset she continues to bring to her work today. Approximately three years ago, Renee made the transition into financial advising, driven by a desire to keep doing what she loves most: helping people succeed and training others to do the same. Her rise through the industry has been swift, and she now channels her strengths in research, problem-solving, and team empowerment into developing the advisors she manages. Renee holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, earned with a 3.97 GPA while working full-time, and is currently completing her MBA, expected in May. She also maintains Series 7, Series 66, life insurance, and accident and health insurance certifications, alongside a credential as a Holistic Financial Coach through Columbia University. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Renee's story is one of perseverance shaped by faith, hope, and grit, supported throughout by her husband's steady belief in her potential. She stays active in her community through organizations such as AM Connections, the Women's Leadership Bureau, and SCORE, where she mentors aspiring entrepreneurs. She also supports Hand to Hand and One Day Niche, a Rockford, Michigan nonprofit serving adults with disabilities. Outside of work, Renee finds balance through Kayaking and West Coast Swing dancing, and she is currently exploring a podcast centered on connection, leadership, and community — a fitting extension of a career built on lifting others up.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Renee
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to faith, hope, and grit, along with the unwavering support of my husband, who believed in me during the times I struggled to believe in myself. My ability to research problems thoroughly and find practical solutions has also been essential to my growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to find the right mentors and be willing to ask for help. Professional growth doesn't have to happen in isolation.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering this industry that grit and persistence are essential. Stay committed through the difficult early stages, seek out mentors who genuinely support your growth, and remember that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Take time to research, learn independently, and build meaningful relationships along the way.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field is training — new advisors are often expected to perform well without receiving enough hands-on coaching. At the same time, I see real opportunity in relationship-building, financial education, and leadership development.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Faith, hope, and grit guide me, alongside compassion, empowerment, connection, and service. I'm deeply passionate about helping others succeed and supporting people through difficult conversations.
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