Kate Shafer is the Director of Member Engagement & Communications at the American Fraternal Alliance, a nonprofit that supports fraternal benefit societies across the US and Canada by offering advocacy, education, and financial services to over seven million members. In her role, she leads initiatives to enhance member engagement, communications, and programming across the Alliance’s network. Kate plays a key part in organizing signature events like the Spring Symposium, which focuses on member engagement, digital transformation, and governance.
Fraternal benefit societies have quietly served millions for generations, blending life insurance with a mission to build stronger communities. But in an increasingly digital world, these purpose-driven organizations face a crucial challenge: staying relevant while remaining true to their roots. So how can fraternal societies expand their reach and impact in today's fast-changing financial landscape?
According to Kate Shafer, a passionate advocate for community-driven insurance, the key lies in modernizing distribution and strengthening cross-sector partnerships. She highlights how fraternal societies are shedding outdated perceptions, embracing digital tools, and evolving beyond captive models to engage independent advisors. This transformation is unlocking new opportunities for growth, connection, and accessibility. From digitized member portals to cross-industry collaboration, Kate emphasizes that technology and advocacy together can help fraternal organizations thrive while honoring their founding values.
In this episode of the Advisor Today podcast, Chris Gandy and Zack Huels sit down with Kate Shafer, Director of Member Engagement & Communications at the American Fraternal Alliance, to discuss expanding the reach of fraternal benefit societies through digital innovation and government advocacy. They explore how awareness gaps are being closed, why collaboration with advisors is essential, and how younger generations are entering the space.
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Intro 00:02
Welcome to NAIFA’s Advisor Today podcast series, where we focus on how financial advisers work, live and give to their local communities and our greater financial services industry. Now let's get started with the show.
Chris Gandy 00:20
Hi, I'm your co-host, Chris Gandy, and Zack Huels. Today is coming from behind the scenes to be my co-host, Zack. Good seeing you, bud.
Zack Huels 00:29
Good seeing you as always.
Chris Gandy 00:30
No, Zack, I always say you are the madman. Do you remember that show like you're that guy?
Zack Huels 00:34
No, I never watched it. There's a blind spot for me in TV, and I think AMC is right there in that blind spot.
Chris Gandy 00:41
You are that guy, man. The madman. Anyway, so we're super excited to have you here. Welcome to Advisor Today podcast. We have a special guest today.
But before we get to our wonderful guest Zack, we always have to have sponsors. Who's our sponsor for today?
Zack Huels 00:59
That's right. Well NAIFA is the sole owner of the Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF). It's recognised as the industry benchmark for insurance credentials and endorsed by top financial firms insurance agencies. The curriculum integrates four practice specialties: life insurance and annuities, health and employee benefits, multiline and financial advising, and investments. It provides both an overview of each, but also addresses their interdependencies as well, which are crucial for agents and advisors to understand when advising clients.
So check out the LUTCF Designation. You can find more at lutcf.naifa.org.
Chris Gandy 01:32
Zack. That's awesome man, is that that's hot off the presses, right? That's brand new. It's not a new designation. It's been around a long period of time.
Yeah, but from my understanding, it's rebranded. It's fresh. Yeah. It's new. It's been rewritten and NAIFA is, is is a conduit for, for launching that not only in this country but the word on the street.
Zack, is there going to be launching it in different countries too.
Zack Huels 02:00
That's what I hear.
Chris Gandy 02:01
We're super excited about that. So with no further ado, I want to introduce one of my friends and also a colleague who has been very open to having us collaborate because of the industry and the like minded thoughts. So welcome to NAIFA Nation, Kate Shafer. Hi Kate, how are you?
Kate Shafer 02:28
Hello, Chris and NAIFA Nation, thanks for having me.
Chris Gandy 02:32
If you've never seen Kate, you might see her around more. But, Kate, I'm not going to spoil your introduction. But if you can tell NAIFA Nation a little bit about you and your role and what you do on a day to day basis.
Kate Shafer 02:47
Oh, what I do on a day to day basis. Okay. I'm Kate Shafer, I'm the Director of Member Engagement and Communications with the American Fraternal Alliance. And we are the trade association that represents fraternal benefit societies. And my role is basically to work on our member events, our communications and member outreach. And so I do a variety of things on a day to day basis. We're a small team of just four awesome women, and we get a lot done in the year.
But my role is to work on our events, make sure that our members are being active there. We have like an 82% engagement rate right now for the year, which we try to get like 86 or 87 every year. But so most of my work is focused on getting our members to our events, making sure they get the education and connection that they need.
Chris Gandy 03:40
So, Kate, you said a lot with very little. Okay. So let's, let's let's get into the let's get into the weeds, shall we. So. Let's talk about how you and I met shall we.
Okay. So I just got this random call from somebody that said, hey, we heard you spoke at an industry event or something, and we think that you would be the perfect person to come talk about distribution in some of the multicultural space. And I didn't know. I said, well, I don't really know. I don't know you, you don't know me.
But, you know, let's figure out what that would look like because I, you know, obviously, I think you're at the time CEO or somebody had heard me speak at the one of the conferences and it was the NAIC. That's what it was, right? Yeah. Was that the NAIC? And so, you know, which serves both of our industries.
So if you know, your role is in the Fraternal Alliance, and so who makes up the Fraternal Alliance? Who are some of the companies? Just give us some ideas of companies so that people can level set so they kind of know who are some of the companies that represent that are being representative in that Alliance.
Kate Shafer 04:58
Good. Good question. So. Fraternal benefit societies are a unique type of life insurance company. Like they're really cool.
They're mission driven, volunteer focused organizations. And we range in size from the largest Thrivent, Knights of Columbus, Modern Woodmen of America, Woodmen life down to smaller ethnic, religious, gender, occupation focused organizations. So all of our members share this common bond that has evolved over time. They started out with these groups of people who didn't have access to life insurance in the late 1800s to now, the organizations that most people recognize. So they provide life insurance, but then they also provide volunteer work, community service opportunities through chapters and lodges across the United States and in Canada.
So Allison Kapell, our CEO, saw you speak at the NAIC conference, and we host a large event every year for our members to provide education and networking. And we wanted you to come in to talk about Dei, but also how our members could figure out a way to distribute their products to advisors who don't know what Fraternals are.
Chris Gandy 06:14
Right. Right. Well, okay. Let's demystify. Let's talk about the myth.
Right. So, so forever. We believe as a, let's say an advisor who works for a Northwestern Mutual or a MassMutual or one of the traditional insurance carriers. Right. For a long time, it was the products we could not sell, service and or understand.
Right. And so how is that? How is evolution making that change? I mean, it sounds like, from what I'm hearing is that there's changes happening that perhaps most of my constituents are unaware of. Would you share a little bit about that?
Kate Shafer 07:06
Yeah. Of course. You know, way back ago, Fraternals were primarily captive agents only. That has evolved over time, and most are now on the independent side. So their products and services are available to the Wide Advisor group. Most have now digitized their offerings. So they've got the portals, they've got the online tools and resources.
We're seeing so many of our societies double down on technology and making it so that they are high tech, but also very personal, so that agents and members can access the tools that they need online. But then they also have, you know, an ability to talk to a person if they need help with what they're looking for.
Chris Gandy 07:53
You know, that's that's interesting because that's that's considered change. Right. And so and so that means that somebody had to give up something to get something else right. And so there are many NAIFA members that are also members of your association. Right.
Through their affiliation with their carriers. Right. So I remember our here in Illinois, our, our past trustee and one of our past board members, one is Martin Woodman and the other other guy was a thrivent like like manager or something. Right. So we do know that that belief is, in the fraternal world, super important.
And we also know that we're NAIFA fits in the advocacy part and In representation with the government to make sure that the products in which, regardless of our affiliation, the promises that we make to our clients, will stay the way that they are. So life insurance doesn't get taxed in the future, making sure that disability insurance continues to pay out on a nontaxable basis. Making sure that if we're getting benefits that are paid to us, they're not taxed. Right. So with this tax gap that's looming, because obviously we need more money in our budget.
Right. Insurance has had a it's you know, I guess a target on our back for a long period of time. And so I think together we have to we come together for the purpose of being able to, to protect the integrity of our products and services. And so let me ask, let me, let me, let me, let me ask this to you, Kate.
What are some of the major obstacles in awareness for distribution? Let's say I wanted to today I had a client and they were a part of a religious culture. And they wanted me to I'm their advisor, but they would really like to do some of their estate planning through one of the associations in your associate, one of the groups in your association, one of the companies in your association. I guess, how would I even get started? Where would I even start at?
Like where would I go? What are the resources to me? Like, do I reach out to you? Do I call the company? Like, where do I, where do I even start? Or how do I even get educated on that?
Kate Shafer 10:42
I think back to your original question of the hurdles. I think our biggest hurdle in the fraternal sector is just awareness. People don't realize what a fraternal is. They confuse us and think we're a fraternity on a college campus, and we are far from that. While we are rooted in community service and doing good, we are really focused on making sure that families have the life insurance and protection that they need.
And in the event that something goes wrong, the Alliance website, we host all of our member societies there. You can easily navigate that and see who our members are. Just doing a quick search. You'll find it. You'll find Modern woodmen with midlife knights.
They all pop up, but our members, the smaller to medium size, are getting into that digital space, and you're seeing them more active on social media and online. So just a quick search for fraternal life. Insurers would pop up a bunch of companies that you would be interested in looking in. And while our members were rooted in those specific common bonds, so many of them have evolved to be more inclusive. And so you don't necessarily have to have that specific ethnic bond.
But if you believe in the values in the way of life and just supporting others, that usually fits the whole fraternal sector. And just supporting good across the country.
Chris Gandy 12:09
Well, more good in this country is good. Absolutely. You know. Good good good. Right.
And so I, I understand that I think, I think the place in where we are minus insurance. Right. We need more good put in than more negative put into our environment. So Kate, what was you know, there was a lot of things and I don't know how engaged your alliance was with the current bill. That's out.
Right. But there were a lot of things in that bill that could have had a negative impact on our collective association. How did you guys get involved, get engaged in the process to make sure that, you know, your voice was being heard? During this process?
Kate Shafer 13:06
Well, we did not expect 2025 to start off kind of the way that it did. But we have pivoted, and we're very lucky that our members are very much engaged in the advocacy work that we do. Allison, our CEO, and Kendra, our managing director, really lead the efforts of our advocacy work. But we also have a lobbying firm in DC. Thrivent works with us very closely, as well as the Knights and then all of our CEOs.
If we ask for their help, they pitch in wherever we need it. But we've been working really hard to share the fraternal message, to educate legislators on what a fraternal benefit society is, because, again, it's a lot of education and just understanding what we do, which in turn helps the whole life insurance community as a whole. So we've just had to take some more proactive steps to be prepared. We stay in close communication with our lobbying team, and we have a lot of good connections on Capitol Hill with legislators on both sides, so they understand what we're doing. We have congressional resolutions to have fraternal champions.
Those are really important. And we're already, you know, on our way to achieving our goals for supporters in that area.
Chris Gandy 14:25
Well, Kate NAIFA is a good arm for lots of your, your, your advisors for numerous reasons. One, we are the only association because we are fairly large that has representation in every district, in every state. Right. And so we know it's about showing up. We know it's about talking to your local.
Not just working, not just going to DC, right? I encourage everybody who's a part of your association and NAIFA and many crossover. Right. Many have both affiliation to take a moment to to share a story with your local congressman. Write a letter, go to their office, show up and share with them.
This is what we do. We sit down. We help people make decisions. We are the ones that show up when things go wrong. We're the ones that show up with checks.
Everybody else shows up with bills. We're that group of people. And to tell the story, because when we tell the story enough times, our Congress, our congressmen or senators, their objective is to listen to their constituents. Right. And the more and more of those constituents that they hear and see from, they hear and they actually see real positive things happening.
When we actually ask for adjustments or we ask for things to change, or it's going to negatively impact those people. People have a tendency to listen, right? So we have to so we have we have to show up. So okay let's talk about you recently had a wonderful event. I didn't get an invite to this year but it was all good.
Kate. It's all good. Kate I didn't get an invite.
Kate Shafer 16:15
From now on, you have an open invitation.
Chris Gandy 16:17
Last year. I got an invite. They were like, yeah, Chris, come on up. But this year I did not get. But that's okay, Kate, I'm coming back.
I'd like to come back next year. I'd like to come back next year as the. I am the current incoming president of NAIFA and 2026 will be a great year. I'd like to come talk to your group, your association, about the importance of just being engaged in the business and being engaged collectively so that we can show up better for each other and support each other as we move forward into this abyss of people needing more insurance. Because guess what?
All these people are getting older, and all these people are going to be using these policies in the future, and there's less people getting into the industry. So we're going to need to support each other in positive ways. And anytime we could do that. But Kate, tell us a little bit about your event you just recently had and you know a little bit about highlights of what happened at your event.
Kate Shafer 17:22
The one that we recently had was Spring Symposium, which is our largest event. We had about 35 societies represented out of the 50 members that we have. So it's a big turnout. Our members come to connect and collaborate, but we focus our education on governance and leadership as well as fraternal and communication. So whether it's membership needs, marketing Getting opportunities.
We talked a lot about using video and being active on social media to tell your story. We also talked about different ways to work through the chapter system, which is a tool for our community service efforts. And then on the governance and leadership side, we work through, oh my gosh, what do we work through? Oh, we had a really great discussion on modernization and getting through the rest of the 2020s, and how it's a tumultuous time, and how leaderships need to be able to pivot and be fast thinking and acting. And so we also house a community service project within that as well.
So we worked with a local organization to pack backpacks with food that would be distributed to kids who didn't have food for the weekend. So we make sure that we're always recognizing our fraternal spirit. But then in the fall, we have our executive summit, which is specifically for our society CEOs, their top executives and board members, and we come together for about two days, and this is the event that we're going to have you at next year to talk about industry issues, whether it's distribution, whether it's HR and recruiting new talent from outside of the sector, because we're seeing a lot of new people come in who a are aren't familiar with Fraternals or are coming from a different background altogether, which is fantastic. We're getting new ideas and fresh opportunities. We always talk about advocacy because it's so important, as you mentioned earlier, and then we talk about the economy and the impact that's going to have on the sector.
So last year for our executive summit, we went to DC and we really flexed those advocacy muscles by meeting with legislators to share our fraternal stories. And I was in the room with Foresters Financial CEO Matt Berman. And he talked about how in California, they built this playground for the community that didn't have one. And just to hear him tell that story. To watch his employees and members build this opportunity that kids would now have to go and play and have fun.
And that was all done through that society. And to see the legislator, like, really react to that story and connect the dots on what Fraternals do and the impact that they have outside of life insurance was you can't put it into words. It's amazing.
Chris Gandy 20:12
Wow.
Zack Huels 20:13
Okay, I'm noticing a theme here. A lot of these messages that you're sending about giving back to your community and being a part of something bigger than yourself. So I'm curious because it's not surprising to me at all that your members are the type to go on the Hill and to advocate on behalf of their industry. But what I'm curious about is someone who's also very involved in membership and engagement, and my organization is what is your volunteer makeup look like? And do you notice that Volunteers are always raising their hands to give back more within the organization.
And do you ever find that there's challenges with that, or do you how do you navigate that sort of year over year as new members come in or take different positions within your organization?
Kate Shafer 20:59
Oh, Zack, we had to put you on the spot here. So there's a variety of answers I can provide. But as far as like turnover, you know, the alliance, we are really lucky. We have a really close connection with our societies, whether it's the CEO, whether it's their fraternal director. We have that key contact at every society that we can go and talk to them, whether it's about membership issues, whether it's for them to come advocate for societies on the Hill, or if it's just they have a question and they need us.
We have great open lines of communication and good connection. But across the country, fraternals represent about 7 million people, whether they're policyholders or their social members who just do community service. So the volunteer landscape is always changing, and we're always looking for ways to educate our members on how to attract younger volunteers or new members. You know how that works. Absolutely.
And it's a shared challenge and we recognize it. But it's a challenge that we embrace because fraternals are so awesome that, like, why wouldn't you want to be involved and get life insurance coverage? So it just takes a variety of communication opportunities. But we're just working through all those different aspects.
Zack Huels 22:18
Sure. Well, I just imagine that someone that would want to be a part of a fraternal organization, they have this feeling of wanting to be a part of that group and that they're joiners. You know, I think that that's sort of the type of people that they are. So it just makes sense that they might want to do some of those things and take those extra actions within your organization.
Kate Shafer 22:38
Yeah. And what I really love is when we get together with our members. Like, we'll talk business, you know? What are you having troubles with? How can we innovate?
How can we work together to provide solutions? But they want to tell us about the stories that their members, the impact that they're having, whether it's through their chapters, whether it's their agents who, you know, provided the life insurance in time for a family in need, they do a lot of work. When disasters, natural disasters happen, we find that our members mobilize really quickly. They get there, whether it's to provide supplies immediately or they're grilling hot dogs and hamburgers for first responders or the families who just lost everything like fraternals show up when there is a need, no doubt.
Chris Gandy 23:26
Wow. Okay. You said a lot with very little. I mean, Zack, we see. I told you Kate's great man. She's she's she's she's awesome.
So let's shift gears for a moment. You said something there that is a challenge for all associations. How do we get more younger people into this? Into this. Right.
You know, because if you look at the statistical data, it is, you know, we have in your, your in, in any insurance business or let's just call it what it is, is you've got this very large barbell or people that are 60 and above, right. You know, let's call it 50%. Right. And then you have a gap between like 60 all the way down to like 30. And there's very few in there.
And then now there's newer people getting in. Right. And so fast forward to tape ten years from now, if, if we all collectively don't do a better job at bringing in newer talent to this industry. The industry shrinks, right? So what on your side are you guys doing to attract more talented people and get more people to raise their hand and be in service of others?
Kate Shafer 24:55
Well, I would say, broadly speaking, generally in the sector, we are seeing more people come into fraternals from outside. Whether it's outside the insurance space or from outside the fraternal sector. And at our last event, we're seeing a lot of younger people come in. So the turnover is happening. You know, the traditional, you know, people staying for a long time and, you know, only retiring when it's their time.
It's changing. And we're seeing newer, younger, fresher people come in. So I think that those changes will then impact our members and the insureds who are coming in as well. I just think it takes a lot of time to educate. And I think that consumers are especially consumers of my age, which are approaching 40 and have families.
You know, we get our life insurance differently than, you know, generations who are a little bit older and more experienced and wiser. So it just takes an opportunity to be on multiple platforms to communicate the message and help people understand.
Zack Huels 26:01
Yeah, I personally think we're still probably ten years away from the older generation releasing their iron grip on the keys to the country. But hey, look, Chris, I told you, if people are going to have a problem with me talking about those sorts of power dynamics in the country, then, you know, they got my email, they can reach out to me. But look, I think that we'll see how it shapes up. I mean, year over year, it's anecdotal, of course, I'm seeing more and more young people at events, of course, but we'll see. We'll see what happens as years go by.
Chris Gandy 26:33
Well, I mean, Zack, let me throw this out there to you. I think you have a couple of things there. You have you have. The way in which that generation grew up was they're only capable. We have to forgive them, right?
They're only capable of using the tools that they were provided. Yeah. At that time. And that was what they saw as success. Right.
And so they've gotten to a place now. They've experienced success. So they're replicating behaviors. That's what happens in these generational gaps. Right.
The behaviors in which we replicate. Right. And so part of that though, that gap in the middle comes down to intentionality and being purposeful with getting career changers to join our associations, getting people that traditionally might have been in banking to say, you know what I'm doing, I should be in financial services or any insurance space, right? Is getting some of the people that the industry had the world has changed. So there were a lot of jobs that existed before with people that have skill sets to be in our industry, but they've never been introduced to our industry as an opportunity for a career.
Right. And so we have to collectively figure that out. Those jobs that are gone, right. You know, before Covid, like all of a sudden, just think about the world we live in. During Covid, there were hundreds of thousands of jobs that came out of nowhere, right.
Because of Covid. Right now, COVID's gone. Those jobs are all dried up. People created million dollar companies off of Covid, right? That all of a sudden they're gone.
So where are those people? Obviously they were good at sales. Think about it, okay? They were good at sales. They were good at publicizing who they are and what they did.
They were good at a, b, c, d e f g. Right. Where are those people at now, Zack? Are they just got absorbed back into manufacturing or are they distribution somewhere. So.
So I think we have to look at the global side of things a little bit. Take a step back and say, okay, where are those people where jobs have been lost? Right. How do we get some of those people into our industry to fill some of that gap? And then, yeah, Kate, you know, younger people like, how do we get the 20 something.
Young entrepreneurial person to stay engaged when we live in a world called, you know, I learned something about the iPhone, guys. You know why this was called the iPhone? You can Google this. It's actually pretty interesting. I was watching something on this.
This was called the iPhone because it was focused on the person who had it in their hands. Did you know that? That's why it's called the iPhone. The iWatch is focused on me, right? So you think about it, right?
It's like everything in there is, like, customized to you. Like, Zack, if you have my phone, it says Zack 6:00. Zack. Right. So it was called the iPhone because it made you the center of everything. That's why it's called the iPhone.
Zack Huels 29:57
But that's a problem I think, because I think what's so great about and to tie this back to Fraternals is there's a reinforced belief about community. And I think we are not doing a good enough job in the entire space of the world, not just the insurance industry of teaching younger people that the importance of community learning from one another face to face, than their idea of community is online communities, because we they have the centralized thing to themselves. Community was important to older generations because that's how they learned. It's learning through community. And we don't have that as much anymore.
Chris Gandy 30:33
Right.
Kate Shafer 30:33
And traditionally fraternals like they got their members because their dad, their uncle, their grandpa, they all had policies. So when they were born, there was a policy written for that child, and then they became a member because, you know, everyone in their family was a member. That has obviously shifted and Fraternals have had to adapt because advisors don't get their clients that way traditionally anymore. So having tools online, you know, making sure that you're talking about your product. And I think Fraternals have also had to adjust so that they can be available to advisors for them to find, because traditionally, advisors were kind of built into the fraternal model, and now they've had to shift those expectations and, you know, be more available.
Chris Gandy 31:21
Well, I've always said this, and I truly believe this, regardless of our corporations affiliation, when we go to these events and opportunities, we leave our jerseys at the door. Right? Because we're there to learn. We're there to uplift. We're there to promote each other.
And so if I'm leaving a company, I'm more likely to go to the place where I know that the good people are, whether it's Annie to call Kate to figure out who I need to talk to because I want to align with with what my mission and my purpose and my family is. Or I need to call Nyfa to figure out who are like minded companies that I need to be talking to. I'm more likely to do that than just to pick up the phone and start calling, you know, random people that ChatGPT may say I need to talk to, right? Because it's got some statistical data in here that maybe running on some algorithm. Right.
So I'm more likely to do that. But I think, Kate, let me just ask you this and then we'll go to our speed round because I know you have things to do other than hang out with Zack and I on our Mad Men show today, but. You know, talk to me a little bit about the idea of purpose. Because it seems to me, Kate, that purpose driven individuals thrive well in that fraternal space.
People that understand purpose. Right. And so share with me a little bit just your perspective of is that what you see in the space? Is that where you, you know, heartfelt, centered people that are just, you know, if they don't make a bunch of money, they're okay. They know money isn't the driving force.
They want to do well and they want to be successful. But money is not the driving force behind why they're in the business of helping people. Is that what you see? That's what I'm hearing a little bit.
Kate Shafer 33:30
You know, for Fraternals. I can't speak to the agent population within the fraternal sector specifically, but Fraternals are just designed to support communities. So many agents are community driven and they're already being community driven by providing these services of financial life products, so they go hand in hand. And I just go back because I grew up in the fraternal world. Right.
So my mom worked at a fraternal and I didn't really understand what a fraternal was until I was in my late 20s and really understood the business. And so I never thought I would work for a fraternal, but I always understood it. And then I worked in broadcast news, left that, and I wanted something that was more sustainable and fulfilling. And working for a fraternal or fraternal organization fills both of those. And our members, they run the gambit of background.
So I don't know. I don't want to say that they're not financially fulfilled because that's not I can't speak to that. But the purpose that comes with working for a fraternal, I don't think you find that in other types of industries or organizations.
Chris Gandy 34:51
I would agree. Maybe I misspoke, I likely misspoke or misspoke. My my words there or misused them in a way not that they're not financially successful, but if you lead with I'm here to make money and forget the purpose altogether, you're going to find yourself disconnected to, to, to, to not only the community, but you're going to find yourself out of alignment. Does that make sense? Yeah, right.
And so it would make sense that the idea of being aligned with a purpose that then serves the mission, and allowing you to be able to spread goodwill by helping families. That makes sense, right? I'm surprised there's not more fraternal associations, right? Because it would seem like that kind of makes sense because we are all, you know, we thrive in community. We found that out during Covid, right?
People went through mental breakdowns after they were like, oh my gosh, I got to spend a day at home with my kids and like, like, what am I going to do? Don't let a month go by. Oh my gosh, three months. Like people were having meltdowns. People were spiraling out of control, right?
They were like, oh my gosh, I can't believe it. I can't go outside, I can't. And then when they could go outside, they were like, I actually have to talk to my family. Oh, God. It was really bad, right?
You were watching it happen. And it was, it was bad, but so, my point I'm trying to make is that I think getting back to where we, we collectively meet on this path of helping the communities, helping individuals become better versions of themselves, and helping our clients show up better for themselves financially. We're on the same mission, right? So it makes sense for some of the fraternal members who are NAIFA members to speak up and say something. We'd love to have some stories on the, you know, our bridge with how we tell stories through our life Happens portal.
And as you mentioned before, some of your people in your in your in your fraternal are using life happens and life happens is part of NAIFA and the ability to be able to tell a story. We need to be able to tell the story regardless of the company, regardless of the affiliation. We need to have some companies that you know that are within your fraternal tell their story, not the story of the company, but the story of the goodwill. The story of this was created because of this. Is this good work?
So we need to be have the ability to do that. And I know that NAIFA would love to support that because that is, that is goodwill for all, not just for NAIFA.
Kate Shafer 37:39
You know, the alliance, we survey our members all the time to find out how we can better serve them. And one thing that came up recently was distribution. It's a challenge for all of our members. So the alliance did start a distribution cohort with sales leaders from across the sector, and we meet quarterly to kind of walk through what opportunities and challenges exist. We've been to numerous industry events over the past year just trying to, you know, immerse ourselves in new opportunities and see what's out there.
It's been a really good learning experience for me as well as the attendees. So I think, you know, getting you guys to come talk to them about Nifa and how we can all work together to kind of bridge this gap would be fantastic two.
Chris Gandy 38:27
Maybe we have a symposium, a mastermind, where we created out of nothing. Like it didn't exist before. We invite crossover people that are affiliated like we figure it out. I think we're capable. I think we are both talented enough to figure it out.
And Zack's Zack's the technician to make things happen. That'd be really good to have almost a think tank, right? That existed of high performance people that are great minds that are willing to share experience. Right. And I'd say it's my, my, my, I'm not going to tell you.
Right. But willing to share experience and willing to share opportunities where we're operating from an abundance mindset versus a scarcity mindset. I think that's part of the shift from the I to we. Right. How can I help Kate?
How can I help Zack become a better version of. How can I help them do what they need to do? Because by doing that, I get a chance to do more of what I need to do, right? Instead of, well, what can they do for me? If they can't do anything for me, then I'm good.
You know, like that, that mindset. We've got to shift that. And that starts from our messaging from within. It starts from us, the leaders saying, hey, we want to connect and collaborate and figure that out. So, Kate, where are you based at, if you don't mind me asking?
Kate Shafer 40:00
No, I'm outside of Columbus, Ohio.
Chris Gandy 40:02
Columbus, Ohio. Columbus, Ohio. Zack, you hear that? Yeah, outside of Columbus, Ohio, where they don't have the like. That's like the Ohio State country.
You understand what I'm saying? That's like strange places over there.
Zack Huels 40:15
I'm so Midwest group right here.
Kate Shafer 40:17
Offend a few people. But that school is not my school.
Chris Gandy 40:21
So where's your school, Kate?
Kate Shafer 40:23
I went to Ohio University, so I'm a proud bobcat.
Chris Gandy 40:26
Is that a bobcat? Yeah, yeah. With a green and gold. Whatever it is, I'm like, okay. Got it.
All right, Kate. So we're going to wrap up here. But I want to take you to our speed round now. Okay. Those of you who don't know, Kate didn't get a chance to prepare for this speed round, but hopefully she's ready.
So, Kate, this is how Speed Round works. I'm going to ask you a couple questions. And the goal is that people get to know you, not what you do. So that when they do see you, they're like, oh, that's Kate, that's that right? So that's typically how people remember you.
Okay. So okay, we'll start off with things. And again these are really easy questions. So whatever comes to mind first that's what it is okay. Okay Kate.
Your favorite food.
Kate Shafer 41:09
Pizza.
Chris Gandy 41:11
Okay. See how easy that was? Super easy.
Kate Shafer 41:13
Cold pizza too. The day cold pizza right out of the fridge.
Zack Huels 41:19
Great choice.
Chris Gandy 41:20
That has to be an age thing. That I'm not sure that makes sense.
Zack Huels 41:25
Don't knock it till you try it.
Chris Gandy 41:28
All right. Kate. So, Kate, the proudest moment in your industry so far that you're super proud of. Proud of so far.
Kate Shafer 41:39
Was in the spring symposium that we just had in May. Just seeing the engagement and the energy because that is like my baby. That's my project that I work towards every year. And seeing that come to life and seeing our members just embrace it the way that I hope that they would, just was a very proud moment of mine this year.
Chris Gandy 42:05
Kate, if you could look back and give your 20 year old self advice, what would you tell yourself?
Kate Shafer 42:11
Don't be so serious. Just do it and it's all going to work out.
Chris Gandy 42:18
It's all going to work out. All right Kate, last question. You ready? You could go back and have dinner with anybody in history. One person who would you go back and have dinner with and why?
It can be anybody you want. Whether they're.
Kate Shafer 42:39
I'm going to say my grandma Mildred. She was a fierce female supporter and just really helped me. I don't know, become the woman that I am today. And, you know, I think I lost her when I was in college, but I was still so young that I feel like I missed out on so many life lessons that if I would have paid more attention when I was younger, could have served me better today. But so is life.
So yeah, definitely Grandma Mildred.
Chris Gandy 43:13
Well, Kate, you knocked it out of the park. We're so blessed to have you here. Nathan Nation, this is Kate Shafer. We are super excited about building a bridge and a relationship with their organization, and so look forward to partnering with you and sharing stories and hearing the stories alike of your advisors. Nathan Nation is listening.
Kate, you have the floor. Is there anything you would like to say and or exit with?
Kate Shafer 43:49
Well, first, Chris and Zack, thank you so much for this opportunity. This is my first podcast ever, so this will go down as forever my favorite. NAIFA Nation. You know distribution is not necessarily my wheelhouse, but I love learning and I love getting to understand people's stories and their needs and building these connections and bridges. So if there's an opportunity to align you with a fraternal or with the alliance, come find me.
Because I love to chat and communicate. And also the Alliance is launching our own podcast, hopefully here in a couple of months. It's going to be called The Good We Share with Kate Shafer, yours truly. So Zack and Chris, I'm going to ask you now to come back and join me on that podcast.
Zack Huels 44:34
100%. Absolutely.
Chris Gandy 44:36
Of course, Kate, I want to be the first guest. Are you kidding me? Like, listen, I want to be. At least not maybe one, maybe three. Then maybe I may not be the first or second, but the third maybe.
I think we can have some good conversations in and around with the preface of insurance, but meaningful and heartfelt conversations that can impact your people. And I think that's who you are. And we appreciate you and we appreciate I appreciate you because I know if I call you, you'd be like, okay, Kate, do you know this person? Kate, have you heard of this person? You're like, yeah, Chris.
Like, whoa, how do you know these people? Right? You know, so you are well connected and.
Zack Huels 45:23
I'm okay with being your 28th or 29th guest. That'll be fine.
Kate Shafer 45:27
Okay, good.
Chris Gandy 45:29
No, Zack, man, we need to be on the roster early.
Zack Huels 45:31
Look. Hey, that's still first-round draft pick.
Kate Shafer 45:33
That's important.
Chris Gandy 45:36
So, Kate, thanks for being on Zack. Do you have anything? I'll wrap us up before we go.
Zack Huels 45:40
No, thanks for joining us, Kate. Really appreciate it.
Chris Gandy 45:43
All right.
Kate Shafer 45:44
Thank you both.
Chris Gandy 45:45
Thanks for tuning in to Advisor Today podcast where we represent the voice of the industry. We help you learn about what's happening in our industry so we can show up both better for our clients and also better for yourself and your family. Thanks for tuning in and we'll see you next week. Same time, same place.
Outro 46:06
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