Out of all the influences upon Sharon Baysinger Warren’s life that have fundamentally made her who she is today, family seems to transcend them all, and for some very good reasons. Sharon grew up in a small town in central Missouri where her family put a premium on hard work. That value was not lost on Sharon. She aggressively adopted it while constantly trying to keep up with her older siblings. Her leadership abilities were recognized early.
Sharon has a special appreciation for the influence of her brothers: “Growing up with five brothers and three sisters has prepared me to look beyond limitations that others want to impose.” Sharon became proficient at looking beyond limitations! She was the first woman in her family to go to college. Most of her career has been in fields traditionally dominated by men. She was the first woman to serve as the executive director of the University of MissouriColumbia Alumni Association, the vice president of two insurance companies, and a regional director of an international company.
Her leadership and strength of character would be especially crucial when at 28 she learned that her first husband was killed in a car accident caused by a drunk driver. While not diminishing the severity and pain of this tragedy, Sharon learned to use the experience as a source of inspiration. The widowhood experience fueled her passion for the development of an outreach to families and individuals encountering changing health issues or the loss of a spouse. Consequently, her clients don’t just have a professional to assist them. Rather, they have a professional who has personally been there and is passionately committed to helping them. As Sharon explains: “I bring a different perspective and experience to their situation and become their guru, guide, gladiator, and partner in the process.”
Sharon earned a BS at the University of MissouriColumbia and continued her masters studies in marketing and management at Webster University (Saint Louis, Missouri). She entered the financial services industry in 1980 after serving several years as the Executive Director of the Alumni Association of the University of MissouriColumbia. She has held executive marketing and product development positions with various insurance companies before establishing her own employee benefits consulting and communications firm.
Sharon is a Registered General Securities Principal with Geneos Wealth Management, Inc., a registered broker/dealer and Founding Partner of Compass Wealth Management.
In addition, Sharon completed her Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS) designation from the Wharton School of Business (University of Pennsylvania) and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. She completed the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) Professional Education Program in 1998 and also earned her Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designations from The American College, Bryn Mawr, PA. She is licensed in life, health, and variable contracts in several states and holds multiple securities registrations: 7General Securities Representative, 63Uniform Securities Agent State Law, 24General Securities Principal, and 65Uniform Investment Advisor.
Her passion for service continues to be demonstrated as Sharon generously shares her time, talents, and support in numerous areas. She has served on the Board of Directors for the College of Human Environmental Science Alumni Board and chaired the Advisory Board of the College of Human Environmental SciencesConsumer and Family Economics Department at the University of MissouriColumbia. She has served as a Director to the Kansas City Chapter of the University of Missouri Alumni Association. Sharon has previously chaired the FCA Women’s Golf Classic and has served on the Leadership Board for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) of Greater Kansas City. Sharon was the Finance Chairman for the AnGeL Ministries of Greater Kansas City Foundation, a sponsor of the “Just Give Me Jesus” Revival, and the “Passionate Pursuit” led by Anne Graham Lotz.
The Warrens reside in Kansas City, Missouri, with their talented and loving canine companion, Gracie.