NAIFA Tackles Diversity Issues Before Heading To The Capitol

For the first time since the pandemic, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors will hold an in-person Congressional Conference Monday and Tuesday.

But before NAIFA members visit their elected representatives at the U.S. Capitol, they will spend a morning discussing strategies for creating and promoting diversity in the financial services industry.

NAIFA’s Diversity Symposium on Monday morning will feature several speakers who will discuss various ways of recruiting a diverse workforce as well as ideas for reaching potential clients from diverse population segments.

A fireside chat on “Recruiting the Next Generation Advisor” will be conducted by Kristin Dorm, vice president of agency growth and development with OneAmerica; Dennis Martin, president of individual life and financial services with OneAmerica, and Chris Gandy, founder of Midwest Legacy Group.

Other topics to be discussed at the Diversity Symposium include:

• Womanthology: The Behaviors That Change Us, presented by Toni Gonzales, vice president, recruiting, development and sales with Ohio National and vice president of Women in Insurance & Financial Services.
• Bringing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion To The Forefront, presented by Lined Mason, vice president of service, individual operations with Ameritas.
• Defend Not Offend: How To Be Yourself Without Annoying Others, presented by Angela White, regional recruiting director with Equitable.
• Underserved Does Not Mean Underfunded, presented by Richie Marreo with 360 Benefits.
• Representing Main Street USA: Why Diversity Matters, presented by Ron Adams, vice president of career distribution with Northwestern Mutual.

The Congressional Conference will begin with a Monday afternoon issue briefing, bringing the members up to date on pending topics in Washington that impact the financial services industry. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., will deliver a keynote address. He is a member of the Senate Finance Committee.

Monday afternoon also will feature a CEO Panel with Kevin Mayeux, NAIFA CEO; Wayne Chopus, CEO of the Insured Retirement Institute; Susan Neely, CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers, and George Nichols III, CEO of The American College.

In addition, attendees will hear about the latest legislative issues from a panel that includes Jason Abel of Steptoe & Johnson, Diane Boyle, NAIFA senior vice president for government relations; Jayne Fitzgerald and Michael Hedge, NAIFA directors of government relations; Dani Kehoe, NAIFA counsel, and Patrick Raffaniello of Raffaniello & Associates.

Susan Rupe is managing editor for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @INNsusan.

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Susan Rupe is editor in chief, magazine, for InsuranceNewsNet. She formerly served as communications director for an insurance agents' association and was an award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. Contact her at [email protected].