About Us
Benefits By Design is an Arizona based agency of over 35 years experience specializing in providing and servicing group employee benefits.
A letter from the President:
"It seems like just yesterday when I was sitting at my home office and wondering where to find my next client. Those were the good old days of working in comfy clothes, making myself have meetings just to get out of the house, and hanging out with my 90 pound Akita, Kiko. Sacrifices had to be made and the convertible BMW had to be sold to help start the business. It seemed so difficult at that time, but it was just one of the steps that needed to be taken to get where we are today. And of course let's not forget calling all my friends and contacts to see if anyone needed insurance.
Fourteen years later we have come a long way. We own a beautiful office in Tempe with a large conference room, four employees, 200 group clients and 300+ individual/family clients. I never dreamed of owning my own business, especially starting at 28 years old! It is amazing how it all has happened and all the networking, relationships, and friendships along the way came together to build the business. Our business became successful because of our clients giving us the opportunity to help them each and every day as their 'benefits department'. Oh, and let's not forget, that in addition to building a business I actually had time to meet my husband! Thank you so much for believing in Benefits by Design and continuing to help me reach our goals."
Member Organizations
- AAAME (APS Academy for the Advancement of Small, Minority & Women Owned Enterprises)
- Arizona Small Business Association
- ASU Alumni Association
- Gabriel’s Angels
- National Association of Health Underwriters
- National Association of Women Business Owners
- Project Management Institute
- Tempe Chamber of Commerce
- Tempe Leadership Class XXVI
Achievements
- Kristine is a lifetime Leading Producer Round Table Qualifier
- Kristine has participated on the following advisory boards: BCBS, LifeWise Assurance, and Aflac
- Kristine graduated from the AAAME program in 2006
- Kristine received her RHU designation in 2008
- Jon received his PMP certification in 2008
- Kristine was a finalist in the 2009 AMEX Make Mine a Million Dollar Business Competition
- Kristine graduated from the Tempe Leadership Class XXVI in 2010
Kristine Kassel, R.H.U., President
Kristine is the proud President and Owner of Benefits by Design, which has been in business over 14 years! Currently, she is President of NAWBO Phoenix, Vice Chair for both Tempe Chamber and Gabriel’s Angels, and Past President of the Arizona Small Business Association. She also served as President of the Arizona and Phoenix chapters of Health Underwriters Association (was awarded their National Distinguished Service Award), and is currently on several Department of Insurance committees. The Business Journal recognized her as one of the "40 Business Persons under 40," she was twice a finalist for Tempe Chamber’s "Business Woman of the Year," and was awarded NAWBO’s 2011 "Business Owner of the Year."
Kristine is a native Arizonan, received her BS degree from Arizona State University, and has been in the insurance industry for 22 years.
Jon Dolgaard, Vice President of Business Development
Jon joined Benefits by Design in 2011 and is leveraging his 20 years of healthcare information technology consulting and business experience to expand our marketing and social media presence, as well as being our point person for Medicare Supplements, Life, Disability and Long Term Care products.
Jon is a native Arizonan and received his MBA from the University of Arizona.
Ryan Hansen, Director of Account Services
Ryan Hansen started with Benefits by Design in 2008. She is the Director of Account Services and is also responsible for Small Group Renewals, Sales Coordination and Office Manager duties. She has been in the insurance industry for 10 years, including previous experience at UnitedHealthcare and PacifiCare.
Ryan is a native Arizonan and lives in Maricopa with her husband and three boys.
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