Stephanie Ayala Rivera
About Stephanie Ayala Rivera
Stephanie Ayala Rivera is a Senior Benefits Specialist at FINRA, where she has worked since 2020. She holds a degree in Mass Communication from the University of Puerto Rico and has extensive experience in benefits administration across various organizations.
Work at FINRA
Stephanie Ayala Rivera has been serving as a Senior Benefits Specialist at FINRA since 2020. In this role, she operates from the Rockville, Maryland office and is responsible for various benefits administration tasks. Her duties include acting as the primary vendor liaison for all benefit programs, ensuring timely and accurate vendor payments. She also plays a key role in testing PeopleSoft system changes to maintain accuracy in benefits administration. Additionally, she conducts new employee orientation sessions and delivers annual enrollment seminars to educate employees about enrollment processes and plan changes.
Previous Experience in Benefits Administration
Prior to her current position at FINRA, Stephanie Ayala Rivera worked at LandCare LLC as a Benefits Analyst from 2016 to 2020. In this role, she focused on benefits administration and contributed to the management of employee benefits. Before her time at LandCare, she was employed at DMI (Digital Management, Inc.) as a Benefits Administrator - Benefits Analyst for one year in 2015-2016. Her experience in these roles has equipped her with a strong foundation in benefits management and employee support.
Education and Expertise
Stephanie Ayala Rivera studied at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, where she earned a degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies from 2005 to 2010. This educational background has provided her with valuable communication skills that are essential in her current role as a Senior Benefits Specialist. Her expertise in benefits administration is further enhanced by her practical experience in various organizations, allowing her to effectively manage employee benefits and communicate important information to staff.
Career Background
Stephanie Ayala Rivera began her career in human resources as a Human Resources Coordinator at Dolce Hotels & Resorts, where she worked from 2010 to 2015. This five-year experience laid the groundwork for her subsequent roles in benefits administration. Additionally, she completed a four-month internship at the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2009, which contributed to her professional development and understanding of organizational dynamics.
Key Responsibilities and Contributions
In her role as Senior Benefits Specialist, Stephanie Ayala Rivera is responsible for running monthly pension eligibility files and handling simple pension calculation requests. She also completes monthly file transfers for retirement programs, including defined contribution and defined benefit plans. Furthermore, she develops and maintains the accuracy of Health and Welfare Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions, ensuring compliance and efficiency in benefits administration.