Leaders Blog

As NAIFA President for the 2011-2012 association year, 2025 John Newton Russell Memorial Award recipient  Robert Miller was an early advocate of modernizing NAIFA’s structure and governance. His ideas foreshadowed the highly successful NAIFA 20/20 strategic plan implemented in 2015. He pushed for a more streamlined NAIFA governance structure, a consistent membership model, and uniform branding and messaging across NAIFA’s chapters. He convened a Presidential Blue Ribbon Task Force to explore these issues, and many of the Task Force’s findings contributed to the formulation of the NAIFA 20/20 plan.

Great Chapters are built by great leaders, and at NAIFA, we’re committed to helping you thrive in your leadership role. That’s why we created the Empowering Chapter Leaders Program — a dynamic initiative designed to equip NAIFA leaders with the knowledge, tools and community support to lead effectively.

Whether you're a new board member or a seasoned Chapter officer, this program offers practical guidance, peer collaboration and leadership development tailored specifically to NAIFA’s mission and structure.

Program Highlights:

NAIFA Member Thomas Palmeri was Spotted for his ongoing efforts to share NAIFA content on LinkedIn. His posts serve as a great example of how simple actions on social media can have a big impact in raising awareness about NAIFA and the work we do. When members like Thomas engage online, it not only strengthens our brand but also encourages others in the industry to take notice and get involved. 

NAIFA 2026 Chapter Presidents, Presidents-Elect, Membership Chairs, Advocacy Chairs, IFAPAC Chairs, Grassroots Chairs, and Chapter Executives should plan on attending the 2025 National Leadership Conference on October 14, in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.

Whether you’re just starting out, or a seasoned professional, mentorship can be a game-changer. That’s why NAIFA is proud to offer our Mentorloop Program — an exclusive FREE benefit designed to help members grow, connect and thrive. With Mentorloop, you can:

You're invited to participate in NAIFA’s Blueprint Chapter Leadership Training, designed to equip our Chapter leaders with the tools, strategies and support needed to lead with purpose and confidence. Whether you’re new to your role or a seasoned leader, the program provides a comprehensive roadmap for successful Chapter management, member engagement and impactful programming. This dynamic program includes:

Summer is the perfect time to invest in yourself and your professional growth. Whether you're looking to sharpen your leadership skills, expand your industry knowledge or explore new areas of interest, we’ve got you covered!

Take advantage of our summer training opportunities, including:

Social Security remains one of the most important and often misunderstood components of retirement income planning. For financial professionals, helping clients navigate the complex claiming rules and optimize their benefits can make a meaningful difference in their long-term financial security.

Join us on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, from 12:00 to 1:00 pm Eastern for a webinar with Martha Shedden, RSSA, CRPC, President and Co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts. This webinar is free for both members and non-members, thanks to co-sponsorship by RSSA.

Chapter Staff and Chapter Leaders from across NAIFA Nation met on July 10th, for the July Chapter Leaders Webinar. Attendees were able to hear the latest NAIFA updates and announcements! This month's Chapter Leaders Webinar featured:

Open to all financial professionals! At NAIFA, we take our duty of service to the industry seriously. Some issues are so important that they need to be shared with everyone for the betterment of the profession. That is why we are offering this critical element to all financial professionals.

Elevate your client discussions with our focused webinar on the now-enacted HR 1! Designed for financial professionals, this session will equip you with the insights to confidently guide clients through the new tax and retirement planning landscape. What you'll learn on Thursday, July 24 @ Noon Eastern: