For Joshua O’Gara, CLU^®, ChFC^®, CFP^®, Owner and Founder of O'Gara Financial Group, entrepreneurship runs in the family. Both of his parents were small business owners and O’Gara inherited their drive. His entrepreneurial spirit—along with his college studies in economics and his desire to help people—made a career in insurance and financial services a perfect fit. 

For NAIFA-CT President Addison Rosenbluth, CLTC, insurance is part of a family legacy. In 1957, his grandfather founded MERIT Insurance Services, Inc. During his senior year of college, he got an opportunity to travel to California for training. After gaining experience and earning his licenses, he returned to Connecticut and now works alongside his father, Jace Rosenbluth, running the family business.

Sue Kuraja got her start in financial services at an early age. When she immigrated from Croatia with her family as a young child, she translated financial documents for her parents as they learned English. Her ability to conduct business in a foreign language was sought after and she continued to demonstrate financial aptitude early in her career. Twenty years later, she still serves Main Street USA as a representative and advocate for consumers, while maintaining strong relations with corporate clients and enterprises.

For Johnson Byrd, the transition from high school teacher and coach to insurance agent was an easy one. As he points out, both careers require a drive to succeed and a passion for education. So, when he got a job opportunity with Farm Bureau, he decided to take the leap. 

When Michael Herring, CLU^®, ChFC^®, LUTCF, was studying business in college, he expected to build a career in finance, but he decided to change direction when he took a course on insurance. After graduation, he took a job as a claims adjuster and, three years later, became an insurance agent. Now, he works primarily with Nebraska’s farming community. He protects their farmhouses, combines, and tractors; provides liability coverage for the rare chemical spill or animal collision; and is his clients’ first call after a hailstorm.

Nathan James always knew he wanted to make a career helping people, so when a friend introduced him to NAIFA-AK Past President Nathan McKay, he knew he had found the right place. Two years later, he is creating customized strategies to help individuals and families reach their retirement goals as a New York Life Insurance Co. agent. 

In 2007, Julianne Hertel, LACP, was looking for a new career. She talked with several professionals to explore her options but found the perfect fit with New York Life. Now, she helps protect Main Street Americans with comprehensive insurance and financial planning. 

Angela White is committed to recruiting diverse talent into the insurance and financial services industry and making sure they have the resources they need to succeed.

Getting Started

After several years in sales, White took a job recruiting agents and fell in love with the industry. She’s motivated by a genuine drive to connect with people and have meaningful conversations. She seeks out underrepresented talent—women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals—and finds ways to set them up for success.

Since he started his insurance and financial services career in 2006, Matt Georgopulos, LACP, has done it all—underwriting, futures trading, rock band management, and more.  Now, he specializes in helping families find the right home, auto, and life insurance. 

NAIFA leaders Bryon Holz, ChFC, CLU, LACP, and Stephen Kagawa, FSS, LUTCF, LACP, are presenting at the 2022 MDRT Global Conference in Sydney, Australia. Sharing their industry knowledge and experience with a global audience, Holz is NAIFA’s 2022 President-Elect and Kagawa, NAIFA’s 2020 Diversity Champion, is a member of NAIFA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council.