Leaders Blog

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is reminding members that the deadline is approaching soon for one of NAIFA’s most prestigious honors. Now is the time to recognize outstanding peers who exemplify Terry’s commitment to NAIFA’s advocacy efforts, as well as characteristics of excellence, leadership, and service by submitting your nominations.

This award honors beloved NAIFA member Terry Headley, and highlights what it means to be a true citizen advocate and professional. NAIFA is proud to be the organization that champions and celebrates those who lead with purpose.

Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award
This award honors a NAIFA member whose political advocacy on behalf of the industry, financial professionals, and consumers reflects the dedication and influence of the award's namesake, Terry Headley. Recipients are lifelong defenders of the profession and embody NAIFA’s advocacy mission at the state and federal levels.

The following States have already submitted a nominee.  
Colorado | Florida x3 | Illinois x2 | Nebraska | New Jersey | North Carolina | Pennsylvania | South Carolina 

Please reach out to Shanika Thomas sthomas@naifa.org for more information.   

The NAIFA Certified Leadership Board designation is awarded to NAIFA Chapters upon completion of a live presentation of NAIFA’s 90-minute training program entitled “Empowering Chapter Leaders” by the President, President-Elect, and at least 80% of the Chapter’s Board.

The NAIFA Certified Leadership Board designation is awarded to NAIFA Chapters upon completion of a live presentation of NAIFA’s 90-minute training program entitled “Empowering Chapter Leaders” by the President, President-Elect, and at least 80% of the Chapter’s Board.

Back by popular demand, Corey Mathews, Vice President of Membership and Chapter Services, will be conducting our Q1 training webinar! Corey will present, “Building a Successful Membership Program,” on February 26 @ 4 p.m. Eastern. After the webinar, resources will be posted in the Chapter Playbook for Chapters to reference.

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:

New to the Chapter Playbook this week - updated PAC materials! Updates include FAQs on Administrative Fees, as well as a summary on the structure of NAIFA's PACs and State Chapter PAC filings.

Save the date for our next deep-dive Quarterly Leaders Training on February 19 at 4 p.m. Eastern! Have a topic in mind? Let us know by emailing leadership@naifa.org!

New to the Chapter Playbook this week - the 2026 Chapter Services Team Calendar! Calendar includes reporting dates, Chapter Leaders Webinars, quarterly Certified Leadership Board training, quarterly training opportunities and Chapter Executive Directors meetings.

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving professional landscape, strong leadership is more important than ever. Whether you're stepping into a leadership role for the first time or looking to refine your existing skills, having the right tools and insights is essential to driving success — both for yourself and your Chapter.