Christopher Cain, CLU, is a loyal NAIFA member who has spent more than five decades building a career defined by service, consistency, and enduring client relationships. A member since 1973, Chris is being recognized as a 50-year National Quality Award Recipient—an extraordinary achievement that reflects a lifetime commitment to professionalism and excellence in the financial services industry.

Donald F. Vendetti, Jr., known to most as “Donny,” has been a proud NAIFA member since 1997 and currently serves clients from his office in South Dennis, Massachusetts, as part of Baystate Financial. Over nearly three decades in the financial services industry, Donny has built a career rooted in trust, education, and a genuine desire to help people achieve financial security and peace of mind.

Most people don’t like talking about endings and dare we say, death. That’s what makes February’s Insure Your Love campaign so spot on. It allows you to link life insurance with love, a topic most people do want to talk about.

NAIFA’s Investment, Retirement, Estate, and Advanced Planning Center will host a free live webinar, 2026 New Developments and Planning Ideas, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm Eastern. This webinar is open to everyone and is designed for financial professionals who want a clear, practical review of recent legal and regulatory changes and how those developments translate into real planning opportunities for clients.

For Michael Schutza, TPCP®, financial services isn’t a job. It’s a responsibility. One shaped by lived experience, service, and a deep belief that the right guidance, given at the right moment, can change the trajectory of a family’s life.

Michael is a Financial Planner at Totus Wealth Management and holds the Tax Planning Certified Professional® (TPCP®) designation. He works primarily with families, business owners, and real estate investors, focusing on proactive planning that integrates advanced tax strategies, retirement income decisions, and real-world wealth management. But his “why” goes far deeper than credentials or years in the business.

NAIFA’s Medicare Collective will host "Navigating Disruption and Market Contraction in Medicare Business in 2026 and Beyond" as part of Medicare Collective Impact Day on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm Eastern. This free live virtual event for both NAIFA members and nonmembers brings together professionals who work directly in the Medicare market to discuss the real challenges that financial professionals are facing as the landscape continues to change.

February 17-20
Lake Nona Wave Hotel
Orlando, Fla.

The FSP Institute is an advanced planning experience designed for financial professionals looking to elevate their practices to new heights. It is a high-impact, collaborative event that features some of the leading experts as instructors facilitating conversations and sharing their knowledge and insights. Sessions will focus on such topics as advanced tax strategies, the impact of new legislation on college-funding strategies, financial ramifications of elder care, and many others all led by leaders in their fields. Register today. 

Karl Hansen, CLU, ChFC has been a NAIFA member for over 50 years, shaping both his career and the insurance industry through leadership, advocacy, and a steadfast commitment to integrity.

Born and raised in the Bay Area near Stanford University, Karl’s work ethic started early. He began working at just 14 years old, taking on everything from hauling to tree trimming while attending school at night. After a brief experience at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, which was cut short by a broken leg, Karl returned home determined to build a future on his own terms.

On January 29, NAIFA’s Medicare Collective will bring together leading voices from across the Medicare ecosystem for focused, solutions-driven conversations about the forces reshaping the Medicare market. Sessions during this live virtual event will be hosted by members of the NAIFA Medicare Collective, seasoned professionals working on the front lines of Medicare.