Deborah Vandeventer

Born and raised in the Chattanooga area and a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Deb has spent over 20 years in the voluntary benefits industry leading underwriting, new business and file processing teams. From strategy and execution to spearheading retention, growth and leadership development initiatives, Deb has earned a reputation for meeting and exceeding the sales and operational goals she commits to.

In 2023, Deb joined the Aflac Group team as the Vice President of Group Underwriting. With her team standing as the first point of operational contact on the customer journey, Deb focuses on bringing a positive, end-to-end sales and enrollment experience to market that offers clients the flexible benefits solutions and streamlined support they deserve. But her work doesn’t stop there. Deb is currently in discussions with Aflac’s technology divisions, looking for ways to transform the customer experience and offer a more rapid and efficient onboarding experience. With strong partnerships already built across organizational lines, she’s keeping her teams on track to deliver the big picture changes Aflac’s clients, partners and our industry need.

With a belief that a leader should have a muscle memory for growing and developing employees, Deb also involves herself directly in the community giving activities championed by her team. In Tennessee, that volunteers for the Bethel Bible Village to help children facing adversity, while here in Columbia, she’s moved on to support programs sponsoring research for children’s cancer, the Harvest Hope Food Bank and leading Habitat for Humanity builds.

Leaving Tennessee was a big step, but Deb has truly found a second home here in Columbia. When asked if she missed her hometown, she simply said, “Of course, but I don’t believe in standing still. If you aren’t growing, if you aren’t moving forward and looking for ways to make a difference, you might as well be walking backward.”