Wallene Leek, RICP, FSCP, LTCP, LUTCF, loyal member since 2002, has a remarkable career that illustrates the transformative power of life insurance and the importance of passing on knowledge and values to future generations. Based in Nashville, Wallene found her way into the insurance field through a profound personal experience that forever shaped her perspective.

Discover how to seamlessly combine charitable giving with retirement income strategies in our upcoming webinar Bridging Charitable Planning with Retirement Income on Tuesday December 10, 2024, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm Eastern. This session is a must-attend for financial professionals looking to provide their clients with innovative, efficient, and impactful planning solutions.

On behalf of myself, the NAIFA Board of Trustees, and the members of our NAIFA staff, I wish you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving.

I find that often this time of year we go out of our way to talk about the things we are thankful for but sometimes forget to simply say “thank you” to the people who enrich our lives and make the world a better place.

I recently sat down with NAIFA Senior Vice President for Government Relations Diane Boyle to discuss the election and its implications for the upcoming tax reform debate in the 119th Congress. 

Scott Dorminy, President of NAIFA-Arkansas, sat down with Arkansas Business to discuss the evolving landscape of the insurance industry and how NAIFA is working to support its members and the clients they serve. In the interview, Scott delves into key topics, including the challenges of rising premiums, the effects of severe weather events on the industry, and how companies are adapting to an ever-changing climate.

There are those who will tell you if the world was perfect, everyone would have the same financial opportunities and live a life of comfort and happiness with no monetary concerns. But the reality is, the world is not perfect, regardless of the income people earn or the financial opportunities they may possess. This is because people are, in fact, not “truly” equal – be it in the classroom, the athletic field, or with financial skills. Regardless of financial status, all of us possess good traits and some bad ones. Occasionally, luck may come our way – but most times it doesn’t. Even though we often make good choices in life, we occasionally make some really dumb ones too. From these mistakes, life dishes out the usual punishments we so often deserve.

Originally from Chile, new NAIFA member, Sandra Reardon, made the move to the United States in 2003, bringing with her a deep commitment to building a secure future for herself and her family. Over the years, she has established herself as a trusted professional in multiple industries, including real estate, insurance, and child care. A successful real estate agent and owner of a daycare business, Sandra has always been passionate about helping people. But it was a personal tragedy in 2020, the sudden loss of her husband, that highlighted the importance of not only having life insurance, but also understanding it thoroughly. Motivated by this realization, Sandra decided to become a life insurance agent to help others avoid the confusion and difficulties she faced, and to educate families about the importance of financial planning and protection to safeguard their futures and protect what matters most.

Colin Aubin’s path to success in financial services is rooted in a strong family foundation, an early background in competitive sports, and a commitment to community impact. Raised in Orland Park, Illinois, Colin’s values were shaped by a family deeply committed to service and education. His mother, Donna, was a dedicated teacher who spent over three decades shaping young minds, while his father, Tom, worked in finance as a CFO. This blend of education and finance set a solid example for Colin, who now brings elements of both worlds into his work, valuing both knowledge and community-focused financial planning. “Growing up with a mom who taught and a dad in finance, I learned the importance of both dedication and service,” Colin shared. “Those values have stayed with me, guiding me through every phase of my career.” This upbringing cultivated in him a sense of responsibility and compassion—qualities that would later define his leadership style.