NAIFA members, mark your calendars for June 26th at 12 pm Eastern for the Q3 State of NAIFA webinar. Learn about the latest on NAIFA’s progress, advocacy efforts, and how you can get the most out of your membership.

Juli McNeely, CFP, CLU, LUTCF, is a seasoned financial services professional with over 25 years of experience. Through her consulting work and speaking engagements, she continues to empower financial professionals to define success on their own terms and excel in their careers. In 2014, Juli made history as the first female president of NAIFA. She is also the accomplished author of No Necktie Needed: A Woman’s Guide to Success in Financial Services, which offers insights into achieving a balanced and fulfilling career in the industry.

The NAIFA National Grassroots Committee proudly recognizes Brian Fleming of NAIFA-Minnesota as the recipient of the Q1 2025 Hard Hat Award for his exceptional advocacy leadership and unwavering dedication to our industry.

Brian played a pivotal role in organizing NAIFA-MN’s grassroots mobilization during the early fight against House File 2437, legislation that proposed a sales tax on a range of professional services—including financial planning, insurance commissions, legal services, and even CPA services.

Please join us in congratulating Paul Szkotak, our Q1 Hard Hat Award winner in the Membership category!

As a dedicated member of the National Membership Committee, Paul has invested countless hours into enhancing NAIFA’s new member onboarding experience. His thoughtful input and strategic vision have laid the groundwork for a refreshed and more impactful welcome process—one that ensures new members feel connected, informed, and valued from day one.

NAIFA is proud to recognize Joseph Orr of NAIFA-Texas as the Q1 recipient of the Hard Hat Award in the PAC category - an honor reserved for outstanding champions of political advocacy. Known for his magnetic leadership and heartfelt commitment to NAIFA’s mission, Joseph was instrumental in the success of the NAIFA-TX Centennial Celebration, helping drive over $12,000 in PAC contributions.

In today's competitive financial services environment, technology isn't just a support tool—it’s a strategic advantage. Life insurance agents and financial advisors who integrate the right software solutions into their workflow not only save time, but also significantly increase client engagement, retention, and revenue.

When John Duni walked into his first job out of college on November 4, 1974, he had no idea it would be the start of a 50-year career in financial services—and a lifelong commitment to NAIFA.

Hired by Harold Morris at Southwestern Life Insurance Company in Washington, D.C., John recalls that joining NAIFA (then NALU) was not just encouraged—it was expected. “You’d sign your agent contract and then your NAIFA application. There was no choice. But I always thought that was great. If I was going to commit to the profession, I wanted to be fully in it.”

Non-cash assets such as real estate, closely held business interests, and collectibles represent a massive and largely untapped opportunity in charitable giving. While these assets are estimated to total between $40 and $60 trillion in value, they make up less than 2% of all charitable donations. For financial professionals working with affluent clients, understanding how to leverage these assets is essential to providing effective tax and philanthropic planning strategies.

David Wood is a seasoned financial services professional with nearly four decades of industry experience. He began his career in 1986, navigating early challenges like the 1987 market crash, which shaped his resilient approach to financial advising. Together with his firm, David has been empowering independent financial advisors through strategic support, innovative growth solutions, and client-centric strategies. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is actively involved in industry advocacy and mentorship, contributing to the advancement and education within the financial advisory community.

In a career that has spanned nearly four decades, Mark Anderson has experienced the financial services industry from multiple angles—advisor, mentor, advocate, and leader. His journey, which began just days after graduating from Brigham Young University with a degree in economics, has been one of steady commitment, continuous evolution, and above all, purpose.