We put a few of our retirement plan experts in the hot seat with a mix of quick-hit questions — some about their work, some just for fun — to give you a clearer snapshot of the people behind the plans. From how they approach their roles to the little quirks that make them who they are, this spotlight offers a glimpse into the personalities powering every detail.
RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERT INTERVIEW LIST
Sarah Anderson, Lead New Business Specialist
Lisa Lukic, Transaction Specialist
Indumathi Ravindran, Senior Analyst
Karly Sorenson, 3(16) Retirement Plan Consultant
WORK-RELATED Q&A FOR EACH RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERT
Q: How did you get into the retirement industry?
Sarah: Ascensus had an office in my hometown and was hiring temps for the EGTRRA restatement. I started working there drafting documents and ended up getting hired full time. The rest is history.
Lisa: I started as an Administrative Assistant and Office Manager with Professional Pension Planners.
Indumathi: I entered the retirement industry right after completing my undergraduate degree. In 2011, I began my career as a Process Associate in a 401(k) trust accounting team at a retirement outsourcing company in India. Those first two years gave me a strong foundation in the operational side of retirement plans.
Over time, I transitioned into compliance testing, which helped me deepen my understanding of regulatory requirements and plan governance. From there, I moved into a team that handled end‑to‑end 401(k) plan processes, giving me full exposure to everything that goes into supporting a retirement plan.
As I grew in my experience, I took on a Team Lead role, leading a team of 15 members and also where I had the opportunity to train new hires and teach freshers the fundamentals of 401(k) plans before they started in the industry. Guiding new talent and helping them build confidence in their roles became one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Overall, each step I took strengthened my expertise and reinforced my passion for the retirement industry.
Karly: Prior to jumping into the retirement world, I was a kindergarten teacher and autism therapist, dedicating so much time to my students and clients. Once I started having children, I wanted to find a career that could allow me to have more time with my children and a change of pace. I had experience on the client-facing side, handling my company’s HR responsibilities such as payroll and retirement contributions and it intrigued me. While looking for a new career, I connected with a pension firm that found my resume’ and they offered me an interview due to my client experience. The rest was history and I stepped into a completely different career path and fell in love with this industry.
Q: What does your job entail?
Sarah: I work on the New Business Team, doing all sorts of different things! Mostly I QC onboarding documents, oversee document tasks, and guide our EGPS Ventures document team with performing these tasks. I also play a heavy role assisting with recordkeeper setups.
Lisa: Reviewing distributions & loans, vesting verification and participant eligibility.
Indumathi: In my current role as a Senior Analyst, I support multiple functions within the retirement plan lifecycle. My work primarily focuses on compliance testing and complex calculations that ensure 401(k) plans operate within IRS and DOL regulations. I also handle trust accounting and valuation responsibilities, which involve reviewing financial transactions, validating plan assets, and ensuring accurate year‑end reporting.
Another key part of my role includes preparing and reviewing Form 5500 filings, which play a critical role in annual reporting for retirement plans. In addition to my core responsibilities, I perform quality checks on work completed by junior team members. This includes guiding them, providing feedback, and helping reinforce best practices to maintain accuracy and consistency across the team.
Overall, my job blends technical analysis, regulatory accuracy, and mentorship—allowing me to contribute to both plan compliance and team development.
Karly: My job entails building strong relationships with my clients to create a level of understanding, collaboration, and trust. My goal is to take on the overwhelming chaos of my client’s tedious day-to-day retirement plan tasks, so they can focus on their business and know they are in good hands with their plan in compliance.
Q: What’s your favorite part of your job as a retirement plan expert?
Sarah: I like reviewing/QCing documents, and learning all the different ways plan provisions fit into the FTW document.
Lisa: Helping clients and participants!
Indumathi: My favorite part of working in the retirement industry is the satisfaction of knowing that the work I do directly supports people’s financial futures. Every calculation, every compliance test, and every review helps ensure that participants’ retirement plans are accurate, compliant, and secure—and being part of that process feels meaningful.
I also really enjoy the analytical side of my role. Each plan has its own complexities, and solving those challenges keeps the work both interesting and rewarding. No two days are exactly the same, and I love that I’m always learning something new.
Another aspect I truly value is mentoring junior team members. Being able to guide them, review their work, and help them build confidence in such a specialized field is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job. It’s rewarding to see them grow and to know that I’m contributing to the next generation of retirement plan professionals.
Overall, it’s the combination of purpose, problem‑solving, and people development that makes this job meaningful to me.
Karly: My favorite part of my job is connecting with my clients and advisors. I enjoy bringing energy and excitement to discussing a client’s plan A through Z and being able to assist anyway I can that might brighten their day. I love having the opportunity to educate my clients on compliance-related issues and collaborating as a team, so they feel confident and supported here at EGPS.
NOW FOR THE FUN: GETTING TO KNOW OUR RETIREMENT PLAN EXPERTS
Q: What’s your go-to “workday treat” when you need a little boost?
Sarah: A mini bag of chips or a handful of nuts.
Lisa: Dark chocolate
Indumathi: When I need a quick pick‑me‑up during the workday, my go‑to treat is definitely a good cup of coffee. It instantly gives me the little boost I need to refocus and power through the rest of my tasks. And if I’m really treating myself, I’ll pair it with something sweet — usually chocolate or a small snack. It’s a simple ritual, but it always lifts my mood and keeps me energized.
Karly: A crisp Diet Coke gives me a reset for my day to handle any retirement emergency. A handful of honey roasted peanut M&M’s will give me a boost to tackle a long afternoon.
Q: What’s one thing you’re weirdly good at (not related to retirement plans)?
Sarah: Cooking eggs perfectly in numerous ways.
Lisa: Solving murder mysteries and crime shows.
Indumathi: I’m weirdly good at staying completely calm in the middle of chaos. When everything around me feels loud or stressful, I somehow switch into “quiet mode” and just focus. It’s like my hidden superpower — staying cool, collected, and unbothered while everyone else is spinning in circles!
And I’m good at motivating people! Whether it’s cheering someone on, helping them see the bright side, or giving a quick confidence boost, I somehow slip into “motivator mode” without even trying. If someone around me needs a little encouragement, I’m already there with positive energy.
Karly: Music. I know how to sing, play guitar and drums. I was in a band my freshman year of college.
Q: What song instantly improves your mood — no matter what?
Sarah: “Shake it off” by Taylor Swift
Lisa: Anything R&B
Indumathi: Any good Indian melody has a way of lifting my spirit instantly. There’s a softness and soul in those tunes — whether it’s an old classic or a modern, soothing number — that feels almost magical. The moment the music starts, it’s like the world slows down for a second. The melodies wash over me, bringing calm, comfort, and a little spark of joy. It’s my perfect reset button, no matter what kind of day it’s been.
Karly: I am a lover of music, so this is hard, but my husband and daughter are die-hard Michael Jackson fans and are always playing his music, so I would have to say “Beat It”.
Q: If you could swap jobs with someone for a day (not in the retirement industry), who would it be?
Sarah: If I was fully trained, a nurse in a hospital setting.
Lisa: My cousin, who is a nurse.
Indumathi: If I could swap jobs with someone for a day, I’d choose to be a detective. I love roles that require sharp observation, logical thinking, and staying calm even when things get chaotic — and detective work brings all of that together. The idea of piecing together clues, spotting tiny details others might miss, and solving a mystery sounds incredibly exciting to me. It would feel like stepping into a real‑life puzzle where every clue matters. Even just one day in that role would be an unforgettable mix of curiosity, strategy, and discovery!
Karly: I dream about being an NFL football coach. I love sports and football is my favorite, next to baseball. I think it would be amazing to be out there on the field in all the energy and leading a team to victory.
Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Sarah: Night owl
Lisa: Early bird
Indumathi: I actually used to be an early bird — the type who loved peaceful mornings and getting a head start on the day. And I still want to get back to that version of myself! But somewhere along the way, I slowly transformed into a full‑time night owl. My energy kicks in late at night, and that’s when I’m suddenly wide awake, productive, and full of ideas. So even though I keep trying to make early mornings happen… the night owl in me keeps winning for now!
Karly: Both! I am a mom of five, so I have to be an early bird to get our day started before I get into retirement mode. I’m also a night owl and love getting ahead on tasks for the next day or watching a good show with my husband while my kids are in bed.
