Allison DeCrane
Wilmette
Summary
Dynamic Institutional Business Development Associate with a strong track record in identifying business opportunities and cultivating client relationships. Skilled in market analysis and proposal creation, contributing to increased market share and customer satisfaction.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Institutional Business Development Associate
William Blair
Chicago
04.2013 - 01.2026
- Developed strategic partnerships, increasing market reach and customer engagement.
- Conducted market research to identify emerging trends and business opportunities.
- Collaborated with sales teams to create compelling proposals for potential clients.
- Analyzed competitor offerings to refine company strategies and positioning.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams to improve workflow and project execution.
- Prepared presentations for senior management, delivering key business development insights.
- Identified business prospects through cold calling, networking, marketing and database leads.
- Set up potential client contacts, cultivated relationships, and followed through on service needs.
- Developed and implemented strategies to increase sales and market share.
- Researched new markets to identify opportunities for growth.
- Provided regular reports on business development activities and outcomes, highlighting ROI for senior management.
- Supported the development of budgets and financial plans for business development activities.
Director of Project Management and Business Implem
Nationwide Funds Group
King of Prussia
04.2010 - 10.2011
- Project lead on all fund related projects (i.e. sub-advisor modifications, liquidations, mergers and new fund launches) and other Nationwide Financial Initiatives
- Manages the interfaces between projects to ensure collaboration and coordination between business unit leadership, project development staff, senior management, technology, customers, vendors and outside consultants
- Identified gaps, overlaps, and conflicts affecting programs and projects; facilitated resolutions and mitigations while maintaining a log of common issues, risks, and changes to enhance organizational learning and proactive responses.
- Comprehension of the business unit functions (operations, legal, compliance, tax) and the vendors being utilized during these projects (transition managers, custodian, transfer agents) which leads to successful and timely execution
- Evaluated proposed business development efforts by coordinating initial project proposals (i.e. scope, deliverables, cost estimates, return on investment analysis), ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Madison, WI12.1995
Skills
- Partnership development
- CRM management
- Proposal creation
- Market research
- Business strategy analysis
- Customer engagement
Certification
NASD, Series 7, 63 and 65
Timeline
Institutional Business Development Associate
William Blair
04.2013 - 01.2026
Director of Project Management and Business Implem
Nationwide Funds Group
04.2010 - 10.2011
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Wisconsin - Madison