NAIFA is pleased to announce the 2026 winners of its annual 4 Under 40 awards: Blake Gillies, MBA, LUTCF, of NAIFA-Louisiana; Thomas Krawczyk, FSCP, of NAIFA-Washington; Melanie Kunze, CFP, of NAIFA-Wisconsin; and Derek True, DIA, DHP, of NAIFA-Texas.
"This year’s NAIFA 4 Under 40 award winners have done amazing work early in their careers to advance the financial security of their clients and the success of their professional association,” said NAIFA President Christopher Gandy, LACP. "They epitomize the up-and-coming generation of financial professionals and NAIFA leaders who make me optimistic about the future of our industry. Now more than ever with the world growing more complex, consumers need professional insurance and financial guidance that is personalized and tailored to their specific situations. The examples set by this year’s 4 Under 40 show that a new generation of professionals is stepping up to serve the needs of American families and businesses.”
Blake Gillies, MBA, LUTCF, is Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at Wealth Solutions in LaPlace, Louisiana, where he has led his team to three consecutive years of record-setting production across multiple lines. He is a two-time Green Coat recipient as a member of the prestigious Ameritas Inner Circle of the Presidents Club and has been recognized as YAT Leader of the Year for NAIFA-Louisiana. He has served as President of NAIFA-Greater New Orleans and is currently President of NAIFA-Louisiana. He has also served as the Chair of NAIFA’s national Young Advisor Team.
Thomas “Tommy” Krawczyk, FSCP, is a Financial Advisor with Draggoo Financial Group and Eagle Strategies in Wenatchee, Washington, where he focuses on serving the first responder community as his primary client base. He is a two-time Executive Council agent and 2026 Presidents Council agent with New York Life. He is NAIFA-Washington’s Young Advisor Team Chair. A strong believer in the importance of political involvement, Krawczyk is stepping into the role of New York Life Political Involvement Leader for Eastern Washington and has participated in NAIFA’s Congressional Conference.
Melanie Kunze, CFP, is a Financial Advisor with Financial Clarity by Design in Spencer, Wisconsin. She wrote and developed a financial literacy program called Financial Foundations, a digital program she uses to educate and motivate recent high school and college graduates and attract clients to the firm. Kunze began her career as two-year intern at Financial Clarity by Design and now runs the firm’s internship program. She serves on the NAIFA-Wisconsin Board of Directors, is the state association’s Advocacy Chair, and has participated as a grassroots advocate in NAIFA’s Congressional Conference.
Derek True, DIA, DHP, is Director of Operations for The DI Center in Allen, Texas, where his focus on Making Insurance Easier has propelled the BGA to continue placing over 90% of all applications. As President of NAIFA-Dallas, he has built on the chapter’s storied history and encouraged it to thrive amongst a broader audience. He serves on the NAIFA-Texas Member Value and Programs Committee, chaired the state chapter’s Young Advisor Team Committee, and was recognized as the 2024 NAIFA-Texas YAT Leader of the Year. He supports NAIFA’s advocacy mission and has participated in NAIFA’s Congressional Conference and state advocacy efforts.
NAIFA’s National 4 Under 40 Awards recognize highly motivated, well-rounded NAIFA members under the age of 40 who balance their work and home lives and are successful at helping their clients secure sound financial futures. They exhibit extraordinary professional success relatively early in their insurance and financial services careers while supporting and participating in their professional association. Gillies, Krawczyk, Kunze, and True will be honored at NAIFA’s Belong Awards Celebration on November 9 at the Venetian in Las Vegas.
ABOUT NAIFA: Founded in 1890, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is the preeminent association for financial service professionals in the United States of America. NAIFA members, in every Congressional district and every state house, subscribe to a strong Code of Ethics and represent a full spectrum of practice specialties to promote financial security for all Americans. Complimented by its professional development and consumer divisions, the Society of Financial Service Professionals, and Life Happens, the association delivers value through advocacy, service, and education.