Marie Gilmour O'Keefe’s career path has been anything but conventional. Her entry into the financial services sector came through a winding route that began in the world of food service and hospitality. The pivot from hospitality to financial services came when her mother-in-law’s financial advisor inquired about people looking for job opportunities, she suggested that Marie’s husband might be a fit. To which he responded—“I hate people, but you should talk to my wife”— which led to a meeting that ultimately set the stage for Marie's new career path.

Marie had early exposure to financial services through her father, who transitioned from being a preacher to a career in financial services. Although Marie initially had little interest in following her father’s footsteps, her perspective changed as she approached a new phase of her life. Her father’s influence, combined with her own experiences and evolving interests, led her to reconsider this career path. Marie has been a financial advisor for the last 12 years.

Chris Roper is a seasoned financial advisor who is passionate about helping individuals navigate their financial journeys as a fiduciary and an educator. With over 14 years in the industry, he specializes in 401K advising and personal finance management for high-net-worth individuals. Beyond his professional endeavors, Chris harbors a love for travel, seeking experiences and lessons to bring back to his practice. His approach to business is characterized by his servant leadership, collaborative spirit, and personal goal to help over a million people. Chris has been honored as one of the National Four Under 40 by Advisor Today, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the financial advising industry.

David Wood’s journey in the financial services industry is a testament to dedication, vision, and an unwavering commitment to growth. Based in Marlborough, CT, Wood has been a loyal member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) since 2024, though his connection to the field dates back to the 1990s. As the founder and principal of Gateway Financial Partners, Wood’s career is a blend of pioneering spirit and deep-rooted advocacy.

Congratulations to NAIFA Trustee Stephen Kagawa, LUTCF, FSS, on being named the 71^st recipient of NAIFA-Los Angeles’s Will G. Farrell Public Service Award. The CEO and Chairman of the Board of The Pacific Bridge Companies has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1986.

Ronald Koehler: A Lifetime of Financial Planning Excellence and Advocacy

Ronald Koehler, ChFC, LUTCF, a veteran financial planner and loyal NAIFA member since 1984 from Galesburg, IL, has dedicated an impressive four decades to the industry. His impact resonates not only within his local community but also across the broader landscape of financial planning advocacy. In an exclusive interview, Koehler shared profound insights into his career journey, emphasizing his involvement with NAIFA (National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) and the pivotal role of mentorship in shaping the future of financial advising.

Koehler's odyssey commenced in 1984, fresh out of Iowa State University in Ames, IA. Koehler's professional trajectory led him to Galesburg, where he is currently a Partner at Charterpoint Wealth Strategies.

Rith Nou, a proud NAIFA member since 2017, has seen the American Dream from both sides: as an immigrant who worked hard to find business success and as an advisor helping others achieve their financial goals.

In the current issue of InsuranceNewsNet magazine, Nou explains, "Our profession pays you well and also allows you to give back in a way that makes you feel aligned. It really has helped me achieve my American dream, but I’m not finished. This profession offers new inspiration and challenges every day."

When Priscilla King was an accounting student at Mississippi State University, her first job interview was with an insurance company, but that is not when she joined the industry. After finishing her bachelor’s degree, she pursued an MBA with an emphasis in accounting. While in school, she worked in sales at RadioShack and found she liked talking to people and was very successful in selling wants. When she graduated, she became a store manager. Then, while making a deposit one day in 1997, she ran into the man who eventually recruited her to Shelter Insurance Companies, where she has been ever since.

Nate Wyatt, CFP, always knew he loved numbers, but he also knew he wanted a career helping people. So, in his junior year in college, he switched his major from engineering to finance. He took an internship at a bank and started his career in insurance and financial services right out of college. 

An agent with Missouri Insurance Advisors, Ryan Mooneyham serves his community in Springfield, Missouri. 

Danny Mielneczek started his insurance and financial services career recruiting new advisors. After two years, he decided to pivot and became a financial representative with COUNTRY Financial.