NAIFA, for a third consecutive year, has proudly hosted a Women’s Financial Security Fly-In. The event brought 37 women financial professionals from around the country to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of their businesses and clients.

We are excited to spotlight Aamir Chalisa, General Manager at Futurity First, an industry leader who has spent over 35 years transforming lives through his work in insurance. His journey is one of perseverance, passion, and a deep commitment to helping others achieve financial security.

Aamir’s path in the insurance industry began shortly after he graduated with an MBA in 1990 from Southern Illinois University. At the time, job opportunities were limited, and as an international student without sponsorship, he faced even more challenges. But a chance encounter with a mentor, an individual from Pakistan, led him to explore the world of sales. "My mentor introduced me to the insurance industry, and I made the bold decision to dive in as an insurance salesman," Aamir recalls.

NAIFA is hosting its third Women’s Financial Security Fly-In March 4-5 in Washington, D.C. The event, designed to encourage the political involvement of women financial professionals, features a day of grassroots advocacy training, policy briefings, and networking. On the second day of the event, attendees from at least 18 different states will go to Capitol Hill for meetings with lawmakers and staff representing their home states and districts.

Amanda Corral’s journey into the world of special needs financial planning began with a personal story—her father, Roberto Corral, founded Corral Financial Strategies in 2017, inspired by their family’s experience with her brother, who is on the autism spectrum. His passion for helping families navigate the complexities of special needs planning resonated deeply with Amanda, who learned the ropes of the business alongside him.

The life insurance and financial services industry is evolving rapidly, and advisors who embrace technology have a competitive edge. That’s why I, Ken Leibow, Founder and CEO of InsurTech Express, have partnered with Nick Bowman, CFP®, MS, CEP®, Co-founder & Head of Sales at Xcela, to bring you this actionable guide on leveraging AI to enhance your practice. Nick co-founded Xcela out of frustration with the slow, inconsistent, and outdated processes in securing life insurance policies. With his background in Advanced Sales and Marketing at Lion Street and my 38 years of experience in life insurance technology, we’ve seen firsthand how innovation can drive efficiency, improve client experiences, and boost revenue. In this article, we’ll provide practical insights on how AI can streamline your workflow, helping you grow your practice and deliver greater value to your clients. 

Join us on Wednesday, March 12, at 12 PM Eastern for Journal Live, where we examine the risks and complexities of premium-financed life insurance arrangements. While funding index universal life policy premiums through third-party loans has gained popularity, many financial professionals may not fully understand the associated risks.

Joe Pantozzi's journey into the financial services industry is a remarkable story of perseverance, hard work, and dedication to helping others build wealth and financial literacy. Having moved from New Jersey to Nevada at the age of 23 with very few connections, Joe's first step into the business came with an advertisement that caught his eye: an ad promising opportunities to work with people and make money. Little did he know that this small ad would set him on a career path that would span nearly five decades.

NAIFA 2025 President Doug Massey, LUTCF, FSS, CLU, ChFC, has come a long way since he joined NAIFA, then known as NALU, in 1987. He first attended a local luncheon in San Angelo, Texas, as a guest. It was a nice steakhouse, Massey admits, but he was reluctant and didn’t really see the association’s appeal. 

NAIFA is laser-focused on ensuring our members, their businesses, and the broader financial services industry thrive in a rapidly evolving world. The success of insurance and financial professionals is crucial to the financial security of American families and the strength of the U.S. economy. We build a strong professional community to serve the best financial interests of communities across the country.