Today, we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Kramer. Jennifer was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Stephanie Grunewald.

Hi Jennifer, we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
With over two decades of experience in human resources, my career began as an internal HR professional, focusing on both tactical and strategic HR needs within my organization. In 2010, I transitioned to an outward-facing HR role, addressing the HR needs of clients and their employees. Throughout my career, I have remained a true HR Generalist, not specializing in any single area such as payroll, benefits, or total rewards. My passion lies in consulting, where I manage diverse HR needs for multiple organizations simultaneously.

I gained extensive knowledge of various human resource consultancy models and, with my family’s support, established my own HR consultancy business, Kramer HR Group, in 2018. The business flourished and caught the attention of Presidio, an insurance brokerage firm in Naperville, IL, specializing in employee benefits, property and casualty, and personal lines insurance. Acrisure, headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI, is Presidio’s parent company.

In late 2019, Acrisure acquired Kramer HR Group, and I assumed the role of Executive Vice President, Employee Benefits and HR Consulting at Presidio. In this capacity, I led a team of 15 employees in the employee benefits division and established the HR Consulting division under Acrisure’s umbrella.

In 2024, Presidio was rebranded as Acrisure. My responsibilities expanded to overseeing the employee benefits teams in Illinois, Minnesota, and Nebraska. The Acrisure HR Consulting – Midwest team has grown to four full-time employees, achieving a 30-40% annual growth rate since 2020, driven entirely by referral business. I collaborate with various payroll companies and employment attorneys, and actively participate in the local community through the HRA of Greater Oak Brook SHRM Chapter, serving in roles such as treasurer, secretary, and Vice-President. I co-founded the mentor/mentee program, now in its ninth year, and contribute to the community college HR certificate program at the College of DuPage as both an adjunct instructor and guest speaker. My involvement extends to numerous other community activities.

Please tell us more about your brand, Acrisure
At Acrisrue HR Intelligence – Midwest, we focus on customized business partnerships where we identify needs, develop an action plan, and facilitate change. The Acrisure HR Inteligence – Midwest team provides services such as: Compliance Project Management Employee Relations Business Development Policies and procedures Employee Handbooks Training & Development Employee Engagement Performance Management Recruiting Career Development Succession Planning Team Building Benefits & Compensation We are a dedicated team of Human Resources Professionals who value meaningful partnerships with organizations to facilitate purposeful change. We provide professional consulting services, create value-add policies and programs to ensure long-term success to organizations across various industries. We are passionate about being a reliable Human Resources partner for your organization. We Meet You Where You Are. At Acrisure HR Intelligence, we focus on customized business partnerships where we identify needs, develop an action plan, and facilitate change. A True Partnership. We can work alongside your Human Resources Team, your Payroll Team, your Leadership Team, or we can work independently to accomplish your needs. Flexibility & Variety. We have worked successfully with clients across various industries and sizes. We are true HR Generalists, meaning we don’t specialize in any one area of HR. Goal Mindset.We work best when we know we are helping you achieve your goals. Passion Driven.We truly care about what we do and are passionate about being a reliable Human Resources partner for your organization.

Stephanie Grunewald and Ancorio have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Stephanie Grunewald and Ancorio and your experience with them.
When I began professional coaching with Stephanie through Ancorio, I found myself at a pivotal point in my career, working 65-80 hours a week. This demanding schedule was taking a toll on my family and my health. Despite being an HR professional who often coached executives, managers, and leaders on setting boundaries, I struggled to follow my own advice.

Stephanie helped me redefine what success meant to me personally. She guided me in outlining my personal and professional goals, emphasizing that success is a unique and personal journey. Understanding and defining my goals, whether they are tiny steps or giant leaps, was crucial for achieving success. These goals are mine to define, own, and achieve.

I often visualize Stephanie as a guiding thought bubble, reminding me to take control of my calendar. It is essential to allocate time for myself, my family, and self-care. This approach doesn’t detract from my work; rather, it enhances my presence both at work and with my family. Prioritizing myself prevents burnout and ensures I am available for my family and my team.

Initially, I feared that working with Stephanie, or any coach, would add to my already hectic schedule. However, Stephanie’s flexibility proved otherwise. She listens to your needs and works within your time constraints, whether you can dedicate an hour a week or just 15 minutes one week and 30 minutes the next. Over time, I found myself making time for my sessions with Stephanie because they energized me and provided the tools I needed to make small but impactful changes in my life. Thanks to my work with Stephanie, my outlook on both my professional and personal life has become much more manageable and positive.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenkramer/