CREDIT HEIDI EIFFERT, STUDIOU
The positive influence of Christine Vorhies reverberates not only in her professional life, but through her community involvement as well.
As head of operations at Transamerica, Ms. Vorhies has enhanced efficiency and significantly improved customer experience at the insurance company, Chris Fleming, Chief Operating Officer of Individual Solutions at Transamerica wrote in nominating her for the Women of Influence award.
“However, what truly sets Christine apart is her unwavering commitment to community service,” Mr. Fleming wrote. “Her dedication goes beyond her professional responsibilities, extending into significant community involvement that aligns perfectly with the ideals of the Women of Influence awards.”
Ms. Vorhies graduated from high school in her hometown of Monticello, and received her bachelor’s degree in business marketing from the University of Northern Iowa, where she completed three internships in different industries.
“This is where I started to recognize that operations management was something I enjoyed,” she said, adding she did not have a specific career goal during her youth.
Job opportunities brought her to Cedar Rapids, where she has lived for more than 30 years, including 20 with Transamerica.
Ms. Vorhies has been in her current position for two years, but has been an operations leader her entire time at Transamerica.
In her role as head of annuity operations, she is responsible for the overall service delivery for annuity policy owners and advisors, and has direct oversight of approximately 500 operations staff and service providers to administer Transamerica’s annuity business.
Early in her career, Ms. Vorhies worked at a telecom startup for eight years as an operations leader, during a time of explosive growth when the company grew from just a couple hundred employees to more than 14,000 employees through acquisitions.
“And I was there through a decline with corporate bankruptcies and reorganizations,” she said. “As a young manager at the time, I gained valuable leadership experience managing fast-paced change that was both positive and negative.”
While Ms. Vorhies recalled both ends of that journey as overwhelming at times, one of her most important realizations was the impact she had on a large number of employees, and the responsibility she had to be transparent, yet disciplined in how she led through changes.
“There were times where I was scared or uncertain about a change, but it was more important for me to convey confidence,” she said. “I could control my response to the change and help others feel included and heard in the process. I didn’t get it right every time, but it was a foundational lesson early in my career.”
That experience carried over into her leadership philosophy at Transamerica.
“I always look to put people in positions to grow and where they can be their personal best,” Ms. Vorhies said. “It takes personal commitment for people to develop the right level of competency for any position, and I believe helping people be accountable to create that competency is important in their development and career.”
One way to do that is by taking on challenges that create change and lead to positive outcomes, she noted, by giving people the tools and guidance they need to flourish in their roles, so they can hone their skills and make a positive impact.
Ms. Vorhies served on the board of directors and as a classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa from 2012 to 2018 and as a Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa leader from 2008 to 2015, and she was a Waypoint Women of Achievement honoree in 2012.
She currently serves on the United Way of East Central Iowa Board of Directors, Transamerica’s Cedar Rapids Foundation Committee and as a volunteer for Camp Courageous, where her leadership on the triathlon committee has helped raise more than $500,000 and raised awareness for people with special needs.
Ms. Vorhies said technology has helped with her work-life balance, including using FaceTime to connect with her husband, Randy Harris, and their two adult daughters during a recent worldwide business trip.
Travel is another learning opportunity.
“I do try to learn from everybody I interact with,” Ms. Vorhies said. “I often remind myself to stay curious and be intentional about learning more about people with views or customs that are different from my own.”
This profile was originally published in the CBJ’s 2024 Women of Influence publication. The 2024 Women of Influence are an inspiring group of community leaders who have each overcome adversity, taken chances and challenged themselves to make a positive impact in their community, despite demanding schedules in their personal and professional lives.
The CBJ will host the 2024 Women of Influence 20 Year Gala from 5-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 2, at The Hotel at Kirkwood Center in Cedar Rapids. Tickets are still available to this event, which includes networking, dinner and remarks from the winners.
