Savana Hooper
Savana Hooper is an accomplished sales leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the Group Benefits Insurance industry, currently serving as AVP of Sales for Group Protection in South Texas and Louisiana at Lincoln Financial. Throughout her career, she has developed expertise in employee benefits design, disability and life insurance, financial wellness, and sales executive development, consistently driving growth and mentoring high-performing teams. She has been recognized multiple times for her achievements, including 11 conference qualifications, 2013 Rookie of the Year, 2015 Account Executive of the Year, and 2020 Sales Executive of the Year.
Savana’s professional focus centers on building strong, collaborative sales teams supported by a culture of excellence and mentorship. She prioritizes exceptional service to broker partners and clients, ensuring sustainable growth and long-term engagement. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive mentors and peers, fostering both professional development and team success.
Her career began at Empyrean Benefit Solutions and progressed through roles at The Hartford and Prudential Financial, where she honed her skills in account management, sales, and team leadership. In addition to her professional work, Savana is dedicated to giving back, mentoring children in the foster care system through organizations like CASA and Upbring. She attributes much of her expertise to hands-on experience, combining technical knowledge with a commitment to people-centered leadership and community impact.
• University of Houston
• San Jacinto College- Associate's
• MDT Leader Qualifier at Prudential
• Leaders Qualifier as an Office (year before last)
• CASA: A Voice for Children
• Upbring
What do you attribute your success to?
The people that believed in me, that mentored me, that continued to give me the opportunity to lean in on my individual skills. The people you're surrounded by makes a big difference.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
When you're changing roles, to give it a three-year timeline. It takes the first year to learn the company, second year to learn the role, and third year to really feel settled in. That's really helped me over the years in my transitions.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My industry is a pretty male-dominant industry, especially on the sales side. So, for a woman to enter into it, definitely needs to believe in themselves and their ability and lean in on their individual skills that would set them apart from others in the industry. Just believe in yourself and lean in on your individual strengths.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is probably the ever-changing landscape of leave, specifically statutory disability leaves amongst all the states. The opportunity is to really lean in and consult with brokers and clients to educate them on that ever-changing landscape.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are integrity, honesty, and embracing each day’s opportunities with a positive and forward-looking mindset.