Lauren Hanson: Sales Leadership Award Winner Guiding Financial Futures
Lauren Hanson, RICP, has built a career in financial services on a foundation most professionals overlook: the willingness to admit what she doesn't know. "I attribute my success to knowing I don't know everything," she says. "That mindset has kept me open to learning, growing, and evolving throughout my career. At the core of it all is my desire to help people—that's what drives me every day."
As Regional Sales Director – Annuities at RiverSource in Minneapolis, she partners with Financial Advisors to help clients build strong financial futures and lasting legacies. With over a decade of experience across leading firms including Ameriprise Financial, Allianz Life, and Securian Financial, she brings deep expertise in sales strategy, advisor development, and client acquisition.
Her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a focus on Rhetoric from the University of Minnesota Duluth has proven instrumental in her leadership approach. That strong foundation in communication, combined with her passion for educating others, has helped her succeed in various leadership roles. From managing high-performing sales teams to launching innovative marketing initiatives and CRM improvements, she consistently drives growth through a balance of analytical insight and emotional intelligence.
The results speak for themselves. Her work has earned multiple accolades, including the Sales Leadership Award from Allianz Life, Century Club recognition from 2016-2018, and Shackleton Winner honors in both Q4 2020 and Q4 2021. In 2018, she was named BOLD Apprentice Project Champion, and most recently received recognition as Financial Literacy Volunteer Judge of the Year 2024-2025 by the Minnesota Urban Debate League.
Her advice to young women entering the industry reflects the principles that have shaped her own trajectory: "Be curious, be hardworking, and be humble. Curiosity will keep you learning, hard work will set you apart, and humility will make you a better teammate and professional."
She's particularly focused on addressing critical challenges in financial services today: the myths around cryptocurrencies and the widespread influence of generalized financial advice. She advocates for personalized, values-based financial planning that meets people where they are.
Beyond her professional achievements, she is an active community volunteer, contributing time to organizations like Feed My Starving Children, Books For Africa, and the Minnesota Urban Debate League, where she has served as a volunteer judge since 2022. She has also served as an OLLI course instructor at the University of Minnesota.
Her values of character and integrity guide both her career and personal life. "I believe in showing up with honesty, doing the right thing even when no one is watching, and staying true to my principles," she explains. "These values guide how I serve others and build trust in every relationship."
