When Laura Mendoza moved from Northern California to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, she envisioned a career as a celebrity stylist in San Diego. But after graduation, opportunities in that field were limited. “Like many young professionals, I couldn’t find work in my realm,” Laura recalls. “I’m still a stylist on weekends, part-time—that’s kind of my side hustle.”

The FSP Institute returns February 17–20, 2026, marking its 80th anniversary of bringing advanced financial planning experts together to push thinking forward and strengthen the profession. This milestone year will be hosted at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Early registration is now open through January 3.

With Thanksgiving, we naturally turn our attention to the three Fs: family, food, and football. But when we consider things that we are truly thankful for, I’d like to add one more: financial service professionals.

Americans have much to be thankful for this holiday season largely because of the crucial work you are doing. While your practice websites might tell us that you offer insurance products, financial planning, wealth management, or other products and services, what you are really giving your clients is peace of mind, opportunities to live their best lives, and happiness for themselves and their loved ones. These are among the things Americans are most thankful for.

Gilbert Mares, MPA, LUTCF, LILI, is profiled in the November issue of California Broker magazine, where he credits his decades of active service and leadership within NAIFA as the foundation of his professional success. In the feature, Mares explains that NAIFA has been central to every stage of his career, from his early days in the business to his longtime role as an educator, advocate, and mentor in the financial service community.

National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) President Doug Massey, LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, CRES, FSS, has announced the appointment of Josh O’Gara, CLU, ChFC, CFP, a Partner and Co-Founder at Prism Benefits, PBC, in Woburn, Mass., to serve on the NAIFA Board of Trustees effective immediately.

Give the Gift of Growth This Season: Earn Your LUTCF® at the Best Prices of the Year 

As we mark November, long-recognized as National Long-Term Care Awareness Month, I want to extend my thanks to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance for stepping forward with a public campaign to shine a spotlight on long-term care planning for the future. Their announcement reminds us that as Americans live longer lives, the possibility of needing long-term support services climbs significantly.

For more than three decades, Ellie Mills, ChFC, CLU, LUTCF, has built her career and reputation on compassion, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to helping others secure their financial futures. A loyal NAIFA member since 1992 and owner of Ellie Mills Insurance Agency, Inc. in Miami, Florida, Mills found her calling in the insurance industry through personal tragedy and triumph.

Life and disability insurance are powerful tools in business planning, helping to protect companies, retain key employees, and facilitate ownership transitions. Join NAIFA on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm Eastern for “Business Planning with Life and Disability Insurance,” a program designed to help financial professionals strengthen their understanding of how these products support long-term business success.

Limited and Extended Care Planning (LECP) Collective Impact Day

Caregiving is not only a personal responsibility but an emerging economic force reshaping how advisors and agents approach financial planning, longevity, and multigenerational wealth. Join NAIFA’s Limited and Extended Care Planning (LECP) Collective for an engaging virtual Impact Day, “The Care Economy: Where Compassion Meets Capital,” on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm Eastern.