NAIFA is an essential resource for advisors’ growing success in a changing marketplace. Through strategic partnerships, advocacy efforts, targeted member benefits, research products and publications, we have positioned NAIFA as a champion of diversity within the industry.

This fall, NAIFA’s partnerships with Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) and with the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA) promoted cross-participation at our annual meetings, empowering us to share strategies on advancing member professional development and education, and supporting political advocacy and engagement. NAIFA staff also attended the annual meeting of the International Disability Insurance Society.

At NAIFA’s Performance + Purpose Conference in Las Vegas, WIFS presented a session on reaching women in the marketplace, and NAAIA featured a panel on how agencies can recruit and deploy a diverse workforce.

Attendees at both the WIFS and NAAIA conferences also were privileged to hear from Diane Boyle, NAIFA’s senior vice president of government relations. A highly sought-after speaker, Boyle told attendees how, by working with their lawmakers, they can influence legislative outcomes positively while becoming credible, likable and profitable. And for those seeking greater political involvement, NAIFA can lead the way for advisors to advocate before their state legislatures and on Capitol Hill.

NAIFA, WIFS and NAAIA are closely aligned in our commitments to advance the knowledge and professionalism of insurance and financial advisors and position our members as industry leaders in financial services. Together, we will create opportunities to diversify the workforce and network with talented advisors in the field. The partnerships also will help unify our members’ voice on Capitol Hill at a time of unprecedented challenges in the legislative and regulatory environment.

As always, NAIFA has your back and will explore every avenue to help advisors succeed in the changing, and often challenging, environment of the twenty-first century insurance and financial services marketplace. Advisors cannot afford to miss out on the opportunities presented by growing diversity in the United States. With NAIFA by your side, I am confident our members will embrace opportunities to grow their client network and their businesses, while securing the financial futures of those who are greatly contributing to the changing face of America.