Leaders Blog

We’re pleased to share that NAIFA’s newly redesigned homepage is now live at belong.naifa.org. This update is the first step in a broader effort to strengthen how we communicate NAIFA’s value proposition. The new design offers a clearer, more compelling homepage narrative that showcases our leadership in advocacy, professional education and financial literacy—helping members and prospective members quickly grasp who we are and why NAIFA matters. Note the navigation has not changed, so the user experience remains the same throughout the entire site.

This homepage refresh is part of a phased redesign initiative being rolled out this year by our communications, membership and IT teams. As we continue improving the site experience and focus efforts on content aimed at leaders, we will seek your input on those pages as well as the potential need to refresh or redesign the chapter sites that are managed by NAIFA. More to come on that in the months ahead.

We’d love to hear your feedback on the new homepage. Your insights will help us continue enhancing NAIFA’s digital storytelling and engagement. Thank you for your continued leadership and support.

Corey G. Mathews, CAE, Vice President of Membership and Chapter Services
Brian Horn, Vice President, Technology & Operations
Sheila Owens, Vice President, Communications & Marketing

A message from NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux:

Dear NAIFA Leaders:

The final NAIFA 2030 Strategic Plan, as approved by the Board of Trustees in Phoenix, is now available here.

Thanks to many of you for submitting fantastic and forward-thinking input over the summer months. As you may know, the plan initially was drafted by a cross-section of NAIFA members, staff, and industry professionals who served on the strategic planning committee, then reviewed by a stakeholder review team, and enhanced by further feedback from you, as well as our past presidents, general membership, and our internal staff team. 

Scott Dorminy is the Top Recruiter for the Month of August 2024! Straight outta Russellville, Arkansas, Scott is part of the Farmers network and runs an agency of his own name. A member since 2015, Scott is a true man of NAIFA action. 

Last week, nine state chapters added members!  Notably, Colorado continues its new member acquisition success!  The chapter added another four members last week after recruiting seventeen in May!  Keep up the great work!

The last week of May, while shortened, was very good for new membership growth! 

There's one and only one secret to sales---consistent, ruthless activity. We all know it, heck--that's how we built our businesses, but somehow, when it comes to growing membership at NAIFA, we find ourselves freezing, not knowing the value proposition, being hesitant to put ourselves out there to ask others to join even though we clearly see and have experienced the value. I get it--believe me, I totally get it. If I had a dollar for every person that told me I should be in sales, I would be a millionaire, but the issue I always had was for me to sell a product, I had to really believe in it. The problem with me is that I have a hard time in believing in most products, but I am a diehard in believing in concepts or philosophical truths. 

I grew up in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. in Maryland, an original colony state. When you grow up in an original colony state, history is just embedded into your education. You are taught the Paul Revere story by first grade and know the entire American Revolution, minutemen, and writing of the Declaration of Independence before you ever leave elementary school. You understand states rights and the power of states coming together--and moreover, the force that we can be as a democracy when we come together to fight. 

We're pleased to congratulate loyal NAIFA member Cheryl Canzanella, CLU, ChSNC, LUTCF, on her new position with NAIFA partner Fairway Independent Mortgage. Cheryl will take over the role of HECM Business Development Manager - Retirement Solutions.

Since joining NAIFA in 2010, Cheryl has been active in the NAIFA community. She is a Past President of NAIFA-Northeast Florida and has served in leadership positions at the local, state, and national levels. She is also a recipient of NAIFA-FL's President’s award. In 2019, she was recognized as NAIFA’s Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year. Cheryl is also a Founding Past President of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) Northeast Florida.