NAIFA's Advisor Today Podcast Series

Jamie Hopkins is the Executive Vice President and Chief Wealth Officer at WSFS Bank, where he leads the wealth management segment, providing private wealth and trust services to clients through both WSFS Bank and Bryn Mawr Trust. Under Jamie's leadership, WSFS and its associated entities have served clients for over a century, and he has contributed to the financial services industry as an author,...

Brian Steiner is the Executive Director of Life Happens, where he is responsible for fostering partner relations and engagement at NAIFA. These organizations are committed to promoting financial literacy and supporting insurance and financial advisors. Under his leadership, Life Happens has successfully distributed over $4 million in scholarships and collaborates on the widely recognized research...

John D. Richardson is a Financial Planner at Capital Planning Group, where he specializes in retirement planning, investment advice, and risk management for clients seeking to align their financial decisions with their values. As a recognized leader in the financial services industry, John has served as president of both NAIFA-Nashville and NAIFA-Tennessee, received the NAIFA Young Advisors Team L...

Susan Combs is the Founder of Pancakes for Roger, a nonprofit that honors veterans and amplifies their stories through a grassroots "pancakes" movement. She created it after her father, a Major General, asked for pancakes while on hospice, inspiring a campaign, book, and advocacy project. Susan also leads Combs & Company, an insurance brokerage she launched at age 26, specializing in niche and non...

Brandon Smith is an Executive Vice President at Milestone Financial Solutions, a firm that offers financial planning, investment, retirement, and estate-planning services to help clients reach key life goals. In his role, he provides comprehensive short-term and long-term financial and business planning catered to the needs of each client. His professional designations include CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, an...

Craig Wright is a financial advisor with Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) designations. He served as the NAIFA Missouri president and is a founding partner of a financial services firm with over 15 years of experience offering fee‑based financial and insurance planning to individuals, families, and small businesses. Craig holds a MBA from Southwest Baptis...

John Davidson is a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow and Financial Services Specialist serving a diverse client base, including municipalities, private schools, and public corporations. A long‑time leader in his profession, John is a certified Financial Security Advocate and has served in top roles within NAIFA, including National President in 2006-07. In this episode… Navigating a decades-...

Kate Shafer is the Director of Member Engagement & Communications at the American Fraternal Alliance, a nonprofit that supports fraternal benefit societies across the US and Canada by offering advocacy, education, and financial services to over seven million members. In her role, she leads initiatives to enhance member engagement, communications, and programming across the Alliance's network. Kate...

Chris Gandy is the Founder of Midwest Legacy Group LLC, a boutique concierge insurance group for executives, professional athletes, physicians, business owners, and entrepreneurs. It focuses on the client's interests in wealth accumulation, wealth preservation, retirement strategies, insurance, asset protection, and investments. He previously worked as a Representative for Northwestern Mutual Fina...

Ryan Ross is a seasoned marketing professional helping independent financial advisors grow their businesses through strategic content, SEO, and digital automation. With a background in financial services and marketing technology, he brings a unique perspective on how advisors can effectively build their online presence. Ryan is passionate about equipping financial professionals with the tools and...

Carina Hatfield is a Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow, Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist, and Life and Annuity Certified Professional. As a third-generation insurance agent, she specializes in property and casualty insurance and works with locally owned businesses. Carina serves NAIFA as a National Trustee and a moderator for Pennsylvania's Leadership in Life Institute. She is also the...

For over 30 years, Diane Boyle has been the Senior Vice President of Government Relations for NAIFA. Diane advocates for state, interstate, and federal laws that benefit the good of the people. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in political science and government. In this episode… Creating effective government relations in a rapidly shifting political and regulatory envir...

Grace Staten is a seasoned marketing executive with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. She has led comprehensive initiatives in branding, digital strategy, public relations, and advisor development, significantly enhancing organizational growth and visibility. Grace holds a MBA in finance from San Jose State University, FSCP designation, and multiple FINRA licenses. A...

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 Nee...

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-ce...

Bobby Johnson is an experienced general agent and sales and distribution executive in the financial services industry. He leads life insurance distribution strategies, focusing on expanding agent partnerships and enhancing customer experiences. Bobby's commitment to collaboration and innovation is evident in his active involvement in initiatives that benefit both agents and clients alike. Joel Tab...

Leah Walters is a state relations expert who leads legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts across all levels of state government. With over two decades of experience in state insurance advocacy, she has been instrumental in shaping policies that support the life insurance industry's mission to provide financial security to American families. Leah has a background in accounting and law. Her ext...

Lindsey Lewis is a Chartered Financial Consultant and a Certified Financial Planner who champions the advancement of women in the financial industry through research, education, and advocacy. She leads various initiatives, encompassing podcasts, social media, and events fostering community and professional growth for women advisors. Recognized for her contributions, Lindsey has been honored with a...

Erica McQuade is a government relations expert specializing in federal lobbying and advocacy. With a strong background in political advocacy, she actively engages in legislative initiatives that impact the financial services industry. Erica is a featured speaker at events like the NAIFA Women's Financial Security Fly-In, where she empowers women financial professionals to advocate for their client...

Bianca Alonso Weiss is the State Government Relations Director at NAIFA, overseeing advocacy efforts across all 50 state chapters. She specializes in bill tracking, analysis, and legislative outreach, ensuring that NAIFA members remain informed and engaged in shaping financial policies. Bianca also represents NAIFA at the National Council of Insurance Legislators, facilitating connections between...

Stacy Norton is a seasoned financial advisor specializing in retirement planning, insurance solutions, and wealth protection. With over 17 years of experience in the industry, she has built a strong reputation for helping clients navigate complex financial decisions with a personal, hands-on approach. Stacy is deeply involved in NAIFA, serving as North Dakota's state president and advocating for i...

For over 30 years, Diane Boyle has been the Senior Vice President of Government Relations for NAIFA. Diane advocates for state, interstate, and federal laws that benefit the good of the people. She graduated from Louisiana State University with a degree in political science and government.  In this episode… In a world where political dynamics constantly shift, how do financial advisors navigate th...

Doug Massey has 40 years of experience in the financial industry, specializing in retirement planning and life insurance. A dedicated NAIFA member since 1987, he has served as president of his local association and NAIFA Texas. Doug actively participated in the IFAPAC committee and recently played a crucial role in NAIFA's stand against the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule proposal. As NAIFA's...

Adam Solano is a seasoned financial advisor with 32 years of industry experience. A member of NAIFA, he has served in numerous roles in NAIFA — including serving as President of NAIFA Chicago and Illinois — and is a recognized leader and mentor within the financial services community. Adam previously ran for public office, imparting a richer understanding of client advocacy on Capitol Hill, and ha...

John D. Richardson is a financial planner who has been providing sound financial advice to his clients since 2005. His primary focus is to help people align their financial decisions with their values and truths to live enriching lives. As a Retirement Income Certified Professional and a Life and Annuities Certified Professional, John advises clients on retirement planning, investment planning, an...