NAIFA is now accepting nominations and applications for its 2022 awards, recognizing outstanding leadership, performance, and achievement that differentiates NAIFA members from their colleagues in the insurance and financial services industry. NAIFA bestows these annual awards as programs of the Talent Development Center, which recognizes exemplary NAIFA members, promotes professional growth, and encourages a new generation of agents and advisors to join the business.

The NAIFA Quality Award

The NAIFA Quality Award provides advisors at any career stage the opportunity to demonstrate a commitment to excellence. This includes: Professionalism through education and earned designations, production measured by performance metrics customized for each practice specialty, adherence to the NAIFA Code of Ethics, and service to NAIFA and fellow members of the industry association.

Advisors specializing in Life & Annuities, Financial Advising & Investments, Health & Employee Benefits, Multiline Sales, or any combination of these specialties may apply to be recognized by the industry’s leading producer association for exhibiting quality that is the mark of a true professional.

NAIFA members may submit their NQA applications online.

John Newton Russell Memorial Award

In 1945, John Henry Russell provided the original endowment to establish this prestigious award to honor his father, John Newton Russell. A staunch proponent of informed, ethical marketing practices, Russell was agency manager for Pacific Mutual. He served as president of NALU (now NAIFA) during World War I and was one of the incorporators of The American College of Life Underwriters. His high standards are perpetuated in this award, which seeks to recognize someone with outstanding personal qualities, unstinting loyalty to the business, and exemplary leadership.

The award program is open to anyone who exhibits the character, leadership qualities, contributions to the profession, and American families exemplified by John Newton Russell. Any member of a NAIFA is eligible to nominate a worthy candidate. Nominees must be insurance and/or financial services professionals. Standards for consideration are extraordinarily high. The characteristics of past recipients have included unwavering loyalty and a high level of professional accomplishment and community service.

Learn more about the John Newton Russell Award.

NAIFA Diversity Champion

NAIFA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council created the Diversity Champion award to recognize a NAIFA member’s exceptional efforts to promote the full and equal participation of diverse people within the insurance and financial advising profession.

A Diversity Champion presents a unique blend of experience, skills, accomplishments, and other qualities. A nominee must be a member of NAIFA in good standing and have at least five years’ experience in the insurance and financial services industry.

NAIFA Diversity Champions create and promote DEI in workplaces, raise DEI awareness in the industry and community, encourage diverse individuals to reach their professional goals, promote DEI within NAIFA’s membership, and provide insurance and financial services in underserved and diverse markets.

Learn more about NAIFA’s Diversity Champion award.

Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award

Former NAIFA President Terry Headley, LUTCF, LIC, FSS, has a long, distinguished record of service to NAIFA. He has been recognized as a key NAIFA contact for multiple members of the Nebraska Congressional delegation and state legislators over the years. Headley has served in leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels. He is also an IFAPAC Capitol Defender. Headley and former NAIFA President Robert Miller, M.A., M.S., are known as “IFAPAC Co-Commanders in Chief” based on their IFAPAC lifetime giving.

The Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award recognizes a current NAIFA member who shows exemplary service to their professional, colleagues, and clients through their political advocacy and contributions to IFAPAC.

Nominees for NAIFA's Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award should be current NAIFA members who exhibit Headley's commitment to advancing the legislative agendas of agents, advisors, and their clients. To nominate members, please submit the nominee’s name, chapter, a listing of all leadership positions they have held (advocacy positions will hold more weight in the decision-making progress), and all state legislators for whom the nominee is a contact. Include a statement with a description as to why this person is worthy of receiving the award.

Learn more about the Terry Headley Lifetime Defender award.

Advisor Today’s Four Under Forty

NAIFA’s Advisor Today magazine recognizes four financial advisors who achieve excellence in their profession by or before the age of 40 with the “Four Under Forty Award." Recipients are notable not only for the success they attain early in their careers but also for their commitment to their communities, families, and teams. They provide inspiration and positive examples for their fellow advisors.

Past Four Under Forty winners have gone on to continued success and garnered industry leadership roles, speaking engagements, and increased peer recognition. NAIFA members are welcome to nominate a rising star for Four Under Forty. Nominees must be NAIFA members in good standing and 40 years of age or younger.

Learn more about Advisor Today’s Four Under Forty.

Young Advisor Team (YAT) Leader of the Year

NAIFA’s Young Advisor Team (YAT) promotes the success of insurance and financial professionals who are under the age of 40 or within the first five years in the business. The YAT Leader of the Year Award recognizes an advisor’s commitment to NAIFA, including service in leadership positions, participation in NAIFA’s Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), involvement with state or federal legislative efforts, and participation in external service work such as charities, as well as their ability to inspire others. The award is also a testament to the recipient’s professionalism and dedication to the success of the association, the industry, and his or her industry peers.

Learn more about the YAT Leader of the Year award.