Whitney Adkins brings more than 20 years of experience in health care operations, product management, and corporate administration to the industry. She is a health care executive specializing in scaling an organization while building a strong culture rooted in accountability and excellence. Before joining Bloom, Whitney spent ten years at a government-programs consulting and technology provider, holding a position as a partner amongst various other business roles. Whitney earned her MBA and JD from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from West Virginia University.
Jayme Ambrose
CEO
Adobe Population Health
Jayme Ambrose, DNP, RN, CCM, is the visionary Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Adobe Population Health, an Arizona-based company offering an innovative, first-of-its-kind solution to the issue of health equity. Founded in 2018, Adobe employs a technology-driven model for interventional care management and takes a holistic approach to population health by closing care gaps, reducing costs, and caring for the whole person. Today, Adobe employs 300 nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, support coordinators, dieticians, care navigators, and transition specialists and serves more than 200,000 elderly and underserved patients across three states. Jayme has served on several boards including The Arizona Homecare Association, The American Association of Occupational Health Nurses and the Case Management Society of America where she is currently a member. She also currently serves on the PAC board of the Arizona Nurses Association. In addition, Jayme is currently adjunct professor for Arizona State University where she teaches RN to BSN and MSN students and develops curriculum.
Blake Amos
Head Of Customer Retention For Medicare Business
Cigna
As the Head of Customer Retention, Blake is responsible for developing and executing the overall customer retention strategy across Medicare products. In this role, he oversees retention operations and works across the organization to execute retention initiatives to ensure a rich customer experience. Blake joined Cigna’s Managed Care Leadership Development Program over ten years ago, and has held positions of increasing responsibility, previously serving as the Director of Expansion Strategy & Execution. In this role, he led the strategy and execution of Medicare Advantage new market and product expansions. Blake attended Belmont University where he earned his Master's in Business Administration with a focus in Healthcare Management. He received a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Tennessee.
Mitch Anderson
Owner
Rochester Senior Solutions
Mitch Anderson is a licensed insurance agent specializing in the Medicare market and owner of Rochester Senior Solutions, Inc. based in Minnesota. He has a proven track record of success in helping clients navigate the complexities of Medicare and find plans that meet their needs. Recently, Mitch has expanded his practice to include annuity sales, offering clients a more comprehensive suite of retirement planning solutions.
Cary Badger
Partner
Healthscape Advisors
Cary brings 25+ years of healthcare experience with a deep focus on Medicare Advantage. His expertise spans health plan operations, product development, marketing, sales, and business development. Cary has a strong track record in market expansion and acquisition strategies, strategic partnerships, build/buy/outsourcing, new market and product entry and performance optimization. He also co-leads HealthScape’s Medicare Center of Excellence. Previously, Cary led business development at Regence/Cambia Health, focusing on market growth and navigating evolving government policies. Cary has also held leadership positions at Kaiser Permanente and AARP Services, Inc. Cary has an undergraduate degree in microbiology from the University of Kansas, a master's degree in public health from the University of Tennessee and an Executive MBA from Stanford University.
Calvin Bagley
Founder & President
Nuvo Health & The Medicare Store
Calvin Bagley is a visionary and strategic thinker driving innovation and client-focused solutions in Medicare insurance. He founded and is the President of Nuvo Health, which has facilitated more than 60,000 client enrollments in health and Medicare insurance. He has actively advocated for Medicare insurance agents with congressional representatives and CMS policymakers. Calvin lives in the incredible city of Las Vegas, NV, with his wife and two children. He is an avid traveler and has visited all 50 states and all seven continents.
Dawnann Baldwin
Sales Director Of Individual Business
SelectHealth
Dawnann Baldwin is the Director of Individual Sales for Select Health. With over 12 years of experience in the Health Insurance industry, including 2 1/2 years as a broker, Dawnann brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her work experience encompasses both individual and small employer plans, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the market. Dawnann is passionate about helping people get the coverage they need to protect themselves and their families. Her dedication to her work and her commitment to her clients make her a valuable asset to the Select Health team.
Jorge Banuelos
CEO & Co-Founder
REM
Jorge is a technology leader specializing in AI/ML, data engineering, and analytics. As Co-founder and CEO of Rem, he applies AI to optimize operations in life and health insurance, enabling agents to focus on serving their clients. Previously, he was Director of Applied Science at Opendoor, where he led applied science teams across Marketing, Housing Macroeconomics, Resale Strategy, R&D, and Trust & Safety. He also held leadership roles at Facebook and Microsoft, driving AI-driven automation, predictive modeling, and intelligence initiatives.
Neelam Bar
Founder
Total Life Therapy
Neelam advises, operates and invests in software enabled businesses that are changing the way we live - equalizing health and wellness opportunities and access to services for all. She started her career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley in Toronto before spending time with Citibank and Roynat Capital. She also has founded and sold a co-working startup and holds 3 business degrees from Columbia University, LBS and Ivey School of Business. Today, she's the founder and CEO at Total Life.
Arthur Barlow
President & CEO
Compass Insurance Advisors
Arthur Barlow is the CEO and Co-Founder of Compass Insurance Advisors. Compass supports its 450+ agents in helping individuals, families, and businesses find the right solutions for HEALTH, MEDICARE, GROUP, and LIFE Insurance products. Arthur has been in the insurance space for over 13 years and is hoping to help lead the ACA industry to a more stable and transparent experience for the consumer and the agent.
Shem Barlow
Producer & Regional Director
Compass Insurance Advisors
My name is Shem Barlow. I live in Southern Utah with my wife and 4 kids. I’ve been licensed since 2012 specializing in Health, Life, Supplemental, and Medicare products. I am currently licensed in UT, AZ, & NV and manage, support, and train a group of agents for Compass Insurance Advisors, as well as maintain my own book of business. I am a firm believer that true success comes from being ethical & consistently disciplined. If we always do the right thing for our clients, then everything will work out for us and our clients. What goes around, comes around.
Clayton Barlow
Licensed Health Insurance Broker
Compass Insurance Advisors
Clayton has been involved in the ACA Industry for about 6 years, starting out as tech support for a Broker GA and then eventually getting Health & Life licensed and working as an independent agent. From 2018-Present he has helped hundreds of people find great solutions to their health insurance needs. Today, he holds the position of CSO for Eligo Health, an agency with a national presence, working every day to ensure his agents provide the greatest experience for consumers in protecting themselves and their families.
Marc Bernstein
CEO & Founder
Balto
Marc Bernstein is the Founder, CEO of Balto, the real-time guidance category leader, with over 300 million contact center conversations analyzed and optimized in real-time and the highest-rated solution on G2 with 4.8 stars. Balto's artificial intelligence understands phone conversations to be as effective as possible in every customer conversation. Marc was named CCW Next Generation Leader to St. Louis’s Titan 100 list of executives making an impact on the region. Marc earned a B.S. in Entrepreneurship, Marketing, & Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis.
Amanda Brewton
Owner
Medicare Answers Now
Amanda is the owner of Medicare Answers Now in Cleveland, Ohio which is Field Marketing Organization with agents in over 40 states and specializing in Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements, Part D Plans, and more. She has been working in the Medicare field for over 17 years, working for both Aetna and Anthem. She continues teaching numerous courses across the country on such topics as: Ethics, Business Development, Sales, Marketing, and many Continuing Education courses. She was recently awarded “Educator of the Year” by her local state NABIP Chapter. She is also the creator of the Ms. Medicare Conference, which provides an environment for women to network and learn from each other about work/life balance, being a business owner, industry trends and other fundamental skills to help them attain their dreams. She is also the creator of Medicare and Margaritas which is a conference open to ALL agents which focuses on subject deep dives and social networking. Last, Amanda is the partner for the Agent Symposium at the Medicarians: The Future of Senior Health, RetireTech, and AgeTech Conference in Las Vegas. Amanda has been a member for NABIP (National Association of Benefit and Insurance Professionals) since 2007 and held several seats on the Northeast Ohio Chapter board. She is currently serving on the National Media/Communications and Membership Boards. Amanda has returned to the NABIP Medicare Advisory Group which is a select group of leaders from across the country that work directly with CMS and various other legislative organizations to discuss the various concerns and issues facing the agents in our industry.
Jacob Brody
CEO & Co-Founder
ZorroCard
Jacob is a serial entrepreneur who specializes in regulated industries. He is the Co-Founder & CEO of ZorroCard, a health benefits concierge and payments platform that saves payors up to 51% on pharmacy expenses. Jacob previously started a 17 state weight management practice called Accomplish Health. As a Managing Partner at Helpful Networks, he advised Fortune 500 health insurers and reinsurers on new business incubation. As Founding Partner at MESA Ventures, he led 30 investments, with 3 reaching $1 billion valuations & achieving a >4x realized return.
Joshua Brooker
CVO & Co-Founder
SnapHealth
Joshua Brooker is the Chief Visionary Officer of SnapHealth and a recognized expert in ACA/U65 markets, including federal and state-based exchanges, as well as ICHRA. With over 14 years in the health insurance industry and a background in finance, he analyzes policy impacts combining macroeconomic trends with frontline experience. He advocates for smart solutions that improve access to affordable care. A key member of NABIP’s Individual Markets Working Group, he also serves on PENNIE’s Advisory Council, is active with HAFA, and collaborates with CMS/CCIIO. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Kaiser Health News, NPR, U.S. News, and Investopedia.
Jennifer Brooks-Kaluza
Chief Government Programs Officer
Lynx
Jennifer Brooks-Kaluza serves as the Staff Vice President of Medicare Strategic Initiatives at Elevance Health. She is responsible for the planning and execution of Medicare programs, including supplemental benefits, retention initiatives, and product implementation. Brooks-Kaluza has extensive experience in both Medicare and Medicaid, specifically with special needs populations such as dual-eligibles and those on long term services and support (LTSS). Prior to her role in Medicare, Brooks-Kaluza served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Virginia Medicaid health plan at Elevance Health. In her 10+ years at Elevance Health, she has held several leadership positions in the government businesses, many with a focus on operations. Since 2020, Brooks-Kaluza has served on the board of the Autism Society of America, Tidewater, Virginia.
Kevin Brown
FMO Principal
Wealth Alliance Group
Kevin Brown is the president of Wealth Alliance Group, a FMO based in Columbia, SC. Kevin founded Wealth Alliance Group with a mission of working with professional business partners in the Life and Health Insurance space to build wealth through strategic ventures. Prior to working in insurance, Kevin worked in corporate America with businesses that generated up to 10 million dollars in revenue annually. As a leader, he employs various strategies from his experience to help build and develop multiple agents and agency owners. When he’s not running the business, Kevin is typically relaxing, sipping on fine bourbon, and smoking barbecue in his backyard with his family.
Robert Brzyski
VP, Marketing
Pinnacle Financial Services
Bob Brzyski is Vice President of Marketing at Pinnacle Financial Services and has helped Pinnacle grow to a leading wholesaler of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplements and Part D. He is a member of the NABIP Medicare FMO Council who are leaders from the top Medicare organizations in the country. The council members give extensive insights to NABIP in the Medicare marketplace and assist with legislative initiatives that affect agents and beneficiaries. Bob joined Pinnacle in 2003 after working at a fortune 500 Life and Health Insurer for several years as Assistant Vice President of Sales focused in the Senior Market. He is now focused on Pinnacle’s continue growth through technology, marketing and innovation. Bob has a degree in Risk Management and Actuarial Science from Temple University and is an avid sports fan. He and his wife Ann Marie have two Children Emily 19 and Bobby 17.
Victoria Cabrera
Owner
The Insurance Space
Victoria Cabrera, a 20-year health insurance industry veteran, is the owner of The Insurance Space and founder of the Tech Savvy Insurance Agents community. Known for blending technology with traditional service, Victoria leads the charge in helping agents embrace AI and digital marketing to grow their businesses while staying up to date with compliance and regulations to ensure they operate the right way. As a leader in tech adoption, she is passionate about equipping brokers with the tools and strategies needed to succeed in the next wave of insurance innovation.
Fred Camacho
CEO & Founder
HealthcareGPS
Fred Camacho is Founder and CEO of HealthcareGPS Inc, focused on enhancing healthcare navigation and access through AI-driven solutions and engaging, rigorous content. The company's key offerings include MedicareCopilot, BenefitsCopilot, and HealthLiteracyCopilot, serving consumers, brokers, health plans, providers, employers, and patient advocacy organizations. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare product management and technology, Fred has driven innovation in consumer engagement, population health, analytics, and quality measurement at leading organizations such as UnitedHealthcare, Optum, Humana, Vizient, Medecision, and NCQA. He holds a PhD in Engineering and MS in Applied Math from Brown University, and an MS in Structural Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Larry Cassar
President & Co-Founder
Focused Health
Larry Cassar is Co-Founder and President of Focused Health. He is a 37-year industry veteran in the health insurance space with a career primarily devoted to serving employers and individuals. Prior to his work with Focused Health, Larry served as Chief Agency Sales Officer for Centene and Wellcare. He has held leadership roles at EmblemHealth, Empire Blue Cross and Arthur J. Gallagher. A native New Yorker, Larry and his wife now live in Tampa, FL. When not traveling for business, Larry can be found on a golf course.
Zachary Clark
Global Head Of Uber Health
Uber Health
Zach Clark is the Global Head of Uber Health. He previously served as Head of Growth, where he and his team focused on expanding the reach and impact of Uber Health’s unique platform through collaborative partnerships with payors, providers, and innovative care delivery organizations. He comes to Uber most recently from Lark, the first care management organization in the world to receive a provider designation by CMS as an artificial intelligence platform, where he served as a Vice President of Strategic Business Development and Strategy. With a background spanning managed care, home diagnostics, and home-care delivery, he brings a deep understanding of the ways technology can transform care experiences and deliver better outcomes for both patients and providers. He holds Master's Degrees in Business Administration and Public Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He lives in Sparks, Maryland, with his wife and three young children.
Shara Cohen
CEO & President
Carallel
Shara has spent 25 years helping healthcare organizations think differently about how to involve and empower people more effectively in their care. She continues in that work as CEO of Carallel. Before Carallel, Shara was senior vice president of client experience with Emmi Solutions, a leader in patient engagement, and vice president of customer experience for Wolters Kluwer Health, the global leader in medical information. Shara has emerged as a leading voice at the intersection of caregiving and health equity, speaking at national healthcare conferences such as HLTH and earning recognition as one of Fierce Healthcare’s Women of Influence 2024
Todd Cowan
National Sales Director
Ameritas
Todd Cowan has extensive experience in sales and distribution within the insurance and financial services industries. Currently serving as National Sales Director at Ameritas since April 2017, Todd previously held the position of Regional Managing Director. Prior to joining Ameritas, Todd Cowan spent over two decades at HealthPlan Services, culminating as Senior Vice President of Sales, Installation, and Account Management. In this role, oversight included proprietary sales programs for fully insured accident and health, voluntary, and worksite markets. Todd also held various leadership positions at HealthPlan Services, including Vice President of Affinity Sales and Director of Sales and Member Retention, where responsibilities encompassed developing distribution channels and executing sales initiatives. Educated at the University of South Florida with a BA in Management and further credentials from The Tuck School of Business and The American College of Financial Services, Todd Cowan is highly qualified in organizational leadership and employee benefits.
Cynthia Cox
Vice President
Kaiser Family Foundation
Cynthia Cox is a vice president and Director of the Program on the ACA, where she conducts economic and policy research on the Affordable Care Act and its effects on private insurers and enrollees. Her work focuses on enrollment, pricing and competition in the ACA’s exchange markets. Cox also directs the Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker, a partnership of the Peterson Center on Healthcare and KFF aimed at monitoring the performance of the U.S. health system over time and in relation to other large, high-income countries. Her work on this project focuses on trends in health care costs, access and affordability, as well as measures of health care quality and outcomes. Prior to joining KFF, she held research and advocacy positions at Columbia University Medical Center and the American Cancer Society. She also served on the board of directors of the Berkeley Free Clinic in California. Cox holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University.
Brent Crawley
CEO
The Premier Agency
CEO of The Premier Agency and Founder of Medicare EXPO, Brent Crawley has served the Medicare Independent Broker Channel for 18 years and has found his passion in helping make agents lives better. Brent has spent years working on processes to improve relationships and outcomes and has never been afraid to draw close to people with special talents. Brent is proof that with the right attitude and the right people, anything can be something.
Gary Culp
Chief Distribution Officer
Cigna
Gary Culp emerges as a strategic leader and culture builder within the realm of healthcare, boasting a career distinguished by visionary initiatives, exceptional growth achievements, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. With more than two decades of experience, Gary has consistently demonstrated his ability to overcome obstacles, maintain strategic alignment, and drive strong revenue growth through creative solutioning and calculated risk-taking. Currently serving as the Chief Distribution Officer (CDO) for Government and Supplemental Programs at Cigna Healthcare in Irvine, CA, Gary was promoted to this role to define and drive growth across the enterprise. His remit includes developing and executing growth strategies for Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Prescription Drug Plans, and Ancillary services. Under his leadership, the organization underwent significant changes, capturing financial gains through improved efficiency and reduced redundancy. Gary's strategic initiatives led to substantial increases in agent new sales, e-Broker engagement, and the creation of lower-cost channels for growth.
Felix Danciu
COO
Kami Vision
Felix Danciu is the COO of Kami Vision Inc., a global leader in affordable DIY security for homes and businesses with more than 20 million activated cameras. With a focus on elderly and senior living communities, Kami Vision offers a Fall Detect Camera with Bed Exit notifications and a wearable IoT for health monitoring. The Kami Fall Detect Camera has 99.5%* accuracy through a cutting-edge, A.I.-powered technology with 24/7 professional monitoring and a direct link to emergency services and family/medical staff. Kami Vision is guided by “A.I. for Good” while developing innovative security and safety solutions that improve the quality of life for people around the world.
Aaron Davis
Head Of Hosted Solutions
ConnectureDRX
Aaron Davis is a technology leader with extensive experience in patient centric healthcare technology. He is the Product Director for ConnectureDRX's Plan Compare ONE, a Medicare shopping, quoting, enrollment, and retention platform. Aaron comes from a background in consumer research and product experimentation, running rapid research projects for Fortune 500s such as AARP, Cigna, Experian, and Intuit. Previously, he has served in an innovation role to build a patient engagement platform for individuals with rare diseases. He has a BA in finance and was a University Innovation Fellow at Stanford University's d.school.
William DeCourcy
Chief Lead Generation Officer
AmeriLife
William R. DeCourcy, Jr. MBA (Bill) has been with AmeriLife since November 2021. Upon starting at AmeriLife, Bill built the lead distribution mechanisms for AmeriLife’s Direct-to-Consumer Call Center and lead the MarTech overhaul of their supporting infrastructure. Bill has, in the last year, founded and built an enterprise-wide leads distribution system (LeadStar), which provides real-time exclusive data leads, inbound and warm-transfer phone calls, and aged leads for AmeriLife’s contracted agents and call centers. Bill has a deep background in technology, research, and lead generation across several industries. Bill resides in Orlando with his wife and, in his free time, enjoys woodworking, fishing, camping, and volunteering in his community as the coach of a high school robotics team.
Brent DeGroot
Regional Account Director
OneAmerica
Brent works with independent marketing organizations (IMOs) and brokerage general agencies (BGAs) to grow the OneAmerica® Care Solutions Asset-based LTC product line. He provides his insight, experience, and training to IMO/BGA leadership, back offices, and producers to support and drive the growth of Care Solutions portfolio. An industry veteran, Brent brings 22 years of knowledge in the LTC and life brokerage space. Prior to joining OneAmerica in 2019, Brent spent more than 10 years with Mutual of Omaha developing relationships and achieving success with brokerage distribution partners. He has also worked for the American Enterprise (World Insurance and American Republic) and owned an agency in Phoenix, Arizona, where he began his career in the industry in 1998.
Robert Dehncke
Owner
Dehncke Insurance Services
Bob has worked in the insurance industry for almost 30 years. He is an author and is part of Marquis Who’s Who in America. He started out helping people prearrange and prepay for their funerals, working with and for both independent funeral homes and the insurance companies. Bob then moved into Medicare sales starting in 2003. He worked for several big insurance companies as either sales manager or director of sales. Bob got tired of corporate life and decided to go independent in 2009. Bob says the biggest reason for his success has been his willingness to become an industry expert at every stop. What is something Bob would like everyone in the industry to know? Learn how to ask for referral, and most importantly, “Be Referable!"
Fernando Dellepiane
CEO & Co-Founder
Vermut
Passionate about leveraging technology to solve real-world problems. I am the proud cofounder of Vermut, where we are changing 55+ lives and boosting the Age Tech industry through an accessible app to erase unwanted loneliness. Social efficiency freak and in love of constant learning. I thrive on pushing the boundaries of what's possible.
Bryan Derheim
VP & GM- Supplemental Products
VP & GM- Supplemental Products EHealth
Bryan Derheim is the VP & GM of Supplemental Products (MedSupp and Ancillary) at eHealth. Leading the business unit and carrier development team in all things supplemental. Most recently, Bryan led the Senior Product division of Allstate Health. After starting that division just 5 years ago, it went from 0 to 100M+ in revenue.
Marc DeSimone
Managing Partner
Clearview Medicare
Marc DeSimone is CEO and Co-Founder of Clearview, a healthcare platform driving enrollment and member engagement for Health plans and MCOs. Marc has been involved in all phases of Clearview's development and growth strategy. Under his leadership, Clearview has become a trusted partner for several of the largest healthcare organizations in the United States, streamlining enrollment processes, enhancing member experience, and improving overall care delivery.
George Dippel
President
Deft Research
George Dippel spent the first 12 years of his career with Procter & Gamble at P & G’s renowned Healthcare Consumer Institute. While there, George studied the healthcare consumer across all aspects of care delivery and used those insights to provide high-level consultation to both P & G’s internal brand teams as well as many partner health insurance carriers. George brought his healthcare consumer market research expertise to Deft in 2010, and since then has worked with more than 130 carriers to help them better understand the modern healthcare consumer. George’s range of healthcare consumer research expertise spans Medicare Advantage, MedSupp, Small Group, ACA, Uninsured, PBM and Part D.
Tanner Dobbs
VP Of Strategy
Take Command
Tanner Dobbs is the VP of Strategy at Take Command. Take Command is a software platform and market leader in the ICHRA space with a mission to accelerate the early adoption of the health insurance reimbursement model. Tanner and his team focus on deepening Take Command's benefit consultants relationships and expanding ICHRA adoption across America, specifically mid-market and enterprise employer space.
Mary Beth Donahue
CEO & President
Better Medicare Alliance
Mary Beth Donahue was named President and CEO of Better Medicare Alliance in 2021, bringing nearly three decades of management, health care policy, and patient advocacy to the role. Mary Beth began her career working in state government in her native Massachusetts and ascended to a role as Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under Secretary Donna E. Shalala during the Clinton administration. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Kidney Care Partners, a coalition of patient advocates, dialysis professionals, care providers, researchers, and manufacturers dedicated to improving quality of care for individuals living with kidney disease. A leader in patient advocacy and health equity, Mary Beth additionally serves on the Board of Directors for the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering children to develop lifelong healthy habits. She served as an Advisory Council Member to the Cancer Support Community. Mary Beth is also the past Executive Vice President of Advocacy and Operations of AHIP, the trade association representing companies providing health insurance coverage in the United States. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston College and a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy where she served on the Alumni Board of Directors.
Alex Doonanco
CEO & Co-Founder
CareCycle
Alex Doonanco is the founder and CEO of careCycle, where he's pioneering multi-agent AI teams that transform every stage of the Medicare beneficiary lifecycle. As agencies face the stark reality of losing 50% of their members annually, Alex developed careCycle's intelligent systems to handle everything from lead pre-qualification to post-enrollment care and renewal campaigns—all while maintaining a personal touch. His teams recently helped a leading FMO generate $2M in saved revenue by combining AI-powered pre-qualification with proactive member care. Alex is democratizing these enterprise-grade solutions to help agencies of all sizes deliver personalized, compliant care from first contact through renewal, saving licensed agents thousands of hours while dramatically improving retention rates.
Thomas Drapala
Director Of RSSA Services
National Association Of Registered Social Security Analysts
Thomas Drapala, RSSA, serves as the Director of Strategic Partnerships at RSSA, the leading provider of Social Security software and education for financial and insurance professionals. Tom is deeply committed to equipping agents and advisors with the highest quality education, technology, marketing, and support through the RSSA Social Security Program. He holds a Master’s degree in Financial Management from LIU Post and resides on Long Island with his wife and three children.
Adam Dugan
CEO & Founder
Versytech
Adam Dugan is a technology innovator and the founder of Versytech, specializing in advanced software solutions for the insurance industry. With a strong background in automation engineering and a passion for optimizing efficiency, he developed Agent Assist Pro—an innovative tool that streamlines Medicare appointment scheduling and Scope of Appointment form management. Committed to simplifying complex workflows, Adam creates cutting-edge applications that enhance productivity, allowing insurance agents to focus on building client relationships while reducing administrative burdens.
Greg Durkee
Director Of Telesales & Retention
Priority Health
Greg is an accomplished professional with expertise in call centers, sales, and customer retention. Known for blending strategic vision with hands-on expertise, he drives sustainable growth through dynamic customer acquisition and retention strategies. His strong leadership and problem-solving skills have built high-performing teams across various industries. Starting in manufacturing, Greg developed a talent for streamlining operations and optimizing efficiency. A passionate customer advocate, he aligns customer needs with business goals to achieve long-term success.
Sean Egan
VP Of National Sales
Oscar Health
Sean is the National VP of Sales and Growth Operations, responsible for oversight and distribution of Oscar plans across the country. Prior to Oscar, Sean held sales and leadership roles at both regional and national insurance carriers, with experience across ACA plans, employer sponsored coverage, and Medicare Advantage. Sean earned his Bachelor's Degree from Providence College, and a Master's Degree from Baruch College.
Brent Ehlers
VP, Sales & Marketing
Premier Marketing
Brent Ehlers is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing and has been a key component to the success of Premier Marketing since 2001. Brent oversees sales distribution for all divisions at Premier and has spent an extensive amount of time as a lead sales advocate, having trained countless successful marketing representatives. Numerous national sales campaigns have been launched as a result of his expertise and he has raised the bar for sales performance. Brent has also participated in several advisory councils to help make positive changes for Agents and carriers. Brent is a graduate of Wayne State College. He and his family reside in Norfolk, NE.
Brock Emery
CEO & Partner
Emery Insurance Group
Brock Emery is a proven business leader and entrepreneur with success across multiple industries. As CEO of Emery Insurance Group in the Greater Salt Lake City Area, he drives strategy, growth, and operations while leading a skilled team. Previously, Brock held leadership roles in technology and financial services, specializing in business development, sales, marketing, product management, and strategic planning. He has also played a key role in multiple startups, securing capital and scaling operations. Recognized for his leadership and entrepreneurial success, Brock has received numerous awards and remains dedicated to making a positive impact in his community.
Tyler End
CEO & Co-Founder
Retirable
Tyler is CEO and a Co-Founder of Retirable, the first-of-its-kind holistic retirement solution making financial management easy for everyday Americans. Tyler has nearly 15 years of experience at leading companies in the insurance and financial management industries. Before Retirable, Tyler worked as Head of Operations Expansion at PolicyGenius, expanding the company’s reach into new products — turning PolicyGenius into an industry-leading disability and P&C insurance distributor. Before working at PolicyGenius, Tyler worked as Wealth Management Advisor at prominent financial services organizations. As an advisor, Tyler played an integral role in helping clients define goals, achieve financial independence and retire with peace of mind. Through this work, Tyler has helped more than 10,000 people find the insurance they needed. Since founding Retirable, Tyler’s expert insights have been quoted in leading news outlets such as FOX Business, NY Business Journal, and MONEY. Tyler’s innovative approach to retirement planning has been mentioned in publications such as AlleyWatch, Forbes, and more.
Pete English
EVP & General Manager
Genie Energy Health
Pete English is EVP & General Manager of Genie Energy Health, and was previously at Senior Advisor at PEAR Health Labs. Pete brings over two decades of experience in the Medicare industry, including ten years with several national and regional Medicare health plans. Additionally, he founded an independent, Medicare-focused brokerage agency and has spent the last six years in the Healthtech SaaS space.
Dave Etling
SVP & General Manager, InComm Healthcare
InComm Payments
Dave Etling was InComm Payments' 40th employee and has held various leadership positions, including business development, sales, product management, and merchant services. Dave uses his broad knowledge of InComm Payments' technologies and services to establish deep and mutually beneficial business relationships with our customers that extend far beyond the basic delivery of stored-value cards into reward points redemption directly at retail POS, single-use digital coupons for specific retail SKU redemption and card-based, by-SKU affinity promotions. He has been a key asset to InComm Payments' growth over many years by improving product partner acquisition and successful retail launches of products for major industry leaders.
Guy Ezekiel
CEO & Co-Founder
Zorro
Guy is a seasoned executive with a deep passion for improving healthcare. Through his experience as CEO of multiple healthcare startups, an executive at Fortune 100 companies, and a Managing Partner of a dedicated HealthTech Venture Capital fund, Guy has developed a deep understanding of how to drive change in the industry. These experiences have helped him to develop a truly huge vision: to build a real game-changing company that will tackle affordability and access to care–the most fundamental problems in healthcare–at their root. Outside of Zorro, Guy is an avid cyclist, an ironman and a dad of four kids.
Cathy Fan
Head Of Life & Health Product
Nassau Financial Group
Cathy Fan is a seasoned product leader with extensive experience in bringing innovative product to the market. She currently serves as the head of life and health product development at Nassau Financial Group, where she leads the company's Medicare Supplement product development and growth initiatives.
Jenna Fariss
Director & Actuary
Milliman Intelliscript
Jenna Fariss is Director and Actuary at Milliman IntelliScript, where she helps carriers evaluate and implement insurtech innovations that add protective value and next-level risk assessment to their underwriting workflows and business strategies. She often joins forces with reinsurers to critically assess new tools and guide clients as they adopt new technology or adapt underwriting guidelines to reflect evolving best practices. With 20+ years of industry experience, she brings both a high-level perspective and hands-on practical experience to any discussion of risk in insurance.
Tony Feijoo
CEO
New Health Partners
Tony's career in healthcare spans over two decades, beginning with his role as a marketing consultant for insurance companies. During this time, he was involved in a select team that launched the pre-ACA pilot program in Florida. This experience gave him valuable insights into the healthcare industry, where he identified a fragmented system plagued by data gaps and financial pressures that often failed to prioritize customer needs. Driven by a vision to transform healthcare, Tony founded his current company, intending to modernize the industry through integrating technology, process improvement, and a steadfast commitment to quality care. His company dedicates itself to reducing the financial burden of healthcare on American families and improving the overall delivery of care. By leveraging technology and streamlining processes, Tony aims to create a more efficient and effective healthcare system that prioritizes patients' well-being while also addressing families' financial concerns.
Austin Felch
VP Of Operations
Applied General Agency
With over 6 years of dedicated service at Applied General Agency (AGA), Austin Felch, Vice President of Operations, is an integral force in shaping AGA’s compliance and operational excellence. A true industry expert, Austin, brings a wealth of knowledge and strategic insight, ensuring that both agent partners and internal teams operate within streamlined, efficient, and compliant frameworks. Renowned for his critical problem-solving abilities, Austin has a keen eye for identifying challenges and transforming them into seamless solutions. His proactive approach has not only strengthened AGA’s compliance initiatives but has also enhanced operational efficiencies, fostering a dynamic sales environment where agents can thrive. Austin’s unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation continues to elevate AGA’s standards, making him an invaluable leader and trusted resource within the organization.
Manny Felix
Senior Manager, Medicaid Sales
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Arizona
Manny has established himself as an award-winning sales professional in the Medicare field. In his current role, Manny works closely with brokers, agency principals, and FMO partners to develop and implement effective sales strategies. He is also renowned for his commitment to education and professional development. He has designed and executed comprehensive training programs that empower brokers and partners with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the competitive sales environment. His training sessions are known for their thoroughness and relevance, ensuring that participants are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP) and Medicaid.
Henry Figueroa
VP Of Sales
Spark Advisors
Vice President of Sales at Spark, passionate defender of the dignity of the human person striving to bring lasting value for independent brokers across the country.
Helaine Fingold
Partner
Epstein Becker & Green, P.C.
Helaine I. Fingold is a Partner in the Health Care and Life Sciences practice in the Baltimore office of Epstein Becker Green. She has more than 33 years of broad health law and health regulatory experience, including 20 years in the federal legislative/executive branches. Ms. Fingold advises health care plans and issuers, providers, and other stakeholders on legal and policy issues regarding the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs, including, but not limited to: general program compliance and corrective action; marketing, agent/broker and other TPMO issues; star ratings/quality bonus payments; plan application process, standards and appeals; program/financial audits and other program oversight; and program enforcement/sanctions and appeals. She also advises on Medicare Parts A and B; Medicaid fee-for-service and waiver/managed care programs; Medicare and Medicaid innovation programs; PACE, Qualified Health Plan and commercial plan requirements under the ACA; and federal and state Surprise Billing rules. From 2004 to 2012, Ms. Fingold worked in a range of capacities at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), with responsibility for areas of the Medicare Advantage program, including plan application review and approval, network adequacy, plan application denials and appeals, contracting, plan surveillance and oversight, and Medicare Advantage and Part D marketing. Subsequently, Ms. Fingold served in both senior staff and leadership roles with the Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO) in the Exchange Policy and Operations Group through which Ms. Fingold worked on the qualification of qualified health and stand-alone dental plans, plan oversight, essential health benefits, agent/broker issues, and market-wide cost sharing limitations.
Sharon Fletcher
CEO & President
Birdsong Hearing Benefits
Sharon Fletcher is a highly accomplished three-time CEO with a history for being thrust into new businesses, quickly determining the leverage points, developing a plan to grow shareholder value, staffing the organization for success, and motivating the team to deliver. She has deep experience in the Healthcare sector and has demonstrated the same approach and results in industries ranging from technology, to consulting, and airlines. With over 18-years of managed care experience, she has served as the President of Fluent Health, a technology-enabled application platform delivering cost effective value to the healthcare sector. Fletcher holds a PhD from Northcentral University.
Mary Forey
AVP, Health Solutions
USAA
Mary Forey serves as product line leader for USAA’s consumer facing health insurance business with accountability for strategy, development, delivery and management of world class, highly competitive products. As one of the original architects of the USAA/Humana partnership to serve veterans with the Humana USAA Honor Plan®, Mary has a proven track record in product innovation, marketing and industry leadership with the plan garnering >50% market share among veterans. Mary joined USAA in 2003, having led in various marketing and experience roles across USAA and currently serves on the USAA Life Company General Agency Board. Mary has an MBA from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is an honors graduate of Texas Tech University, as well as a graduate of LIMRA/LOMA’s Wharton Strategic Leadership Experience program—Mary was nominated as part of the inaugural class. Mary resides in San Antonio, along with her husband, Bruce, and enjoys spending time with their grown sons, Jake and Zane. She is also active in their community, serving on the Junior Achievement of South Texas Board and Impact San Antonio, for which she has served on the grant review committee.
Michael Franks
SVP Of Plan Product
Arizona Complete Health – Centene
Michael P. Franks is a seasoned healthcare and finance executive with extensive experience in profitable membership growth within highly competitive markets. He currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Plan Product at Arizona Complete Health – Centene, where he leads a management team with strategic expertise across the Western Region, including Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Under his leadership, the company has managed over $1 billion in Medicare Advantage revenue and $700 million in Marketplace revenue. Franks has a proven track record of forming strategic value-based partnerships to manage revenue, cost, and quality outcomes while enhancing care affordability. His expertise includes health plan operations, financial analysis, product development, network contracting, and Medicare quality programs. Throughout his career, Franks has held significant roles such as Senior Director at Banner Health, where he led risk adjustment and quality programs, and Medicare President Western Region at Humana, where he oversaw P&L for the Western Region Medicare, including Arizona, California and Hawaii. His efforts have consistently led to substantial financial performance improvements and membership growth.
Patrick Freuler
CEO & Founder
Audicus
Patrick Freuler is the founder and CEO of Audicus, one of the leading telehealth companies for hearing care and hearing aids. Patrick discovered the enormous cost and complexities of getting a hearing aid in America while working as a healthcare investor at Bain Capital. The issue of access to treatment hit home with Patrick on a personal level as well, with his grandmother’s own experience with hearing loss. In
2012, Patrick founded Audicus, on the simple principle that getting a high-quality hearing aid should be easy, accessible, and affordable. Since its launch, Audicus has saved consumers almost $100 million in aggregate healthcare costs, has conducted over 300,000 hearing screenings and has reconnected 10,000s of people with their loved ones. Patrick holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Before Audicus, Patrick worked as a private equity healthcare investor at Bain Capital and as a strategy consultant at McKinsey. He was raised between Brazil, Switzerland and Spain.
Robert Garber
Managing Partner
7wireVentures
Robert is currently Managing Partner of 7wireVentures, where he focuses on investments in digital healthcare and technology-enabled services that empower consumers to be better stewards of their health in today’s changing healthcare ecosystem. Robert has over 30 years of experience investing in, advising, and operating early-stage healthcare and technology companies and has co-managed five venture funds with $600M+ AUM. Before joining 7wireVentures, Robert served as Managing Director of Stratus Ventures and KB Partners where he led investments in early-stage healthcare and technology companies. Previously, Robert held key executive roles for three high-growth companies where he led operations, business development, and finance in the ecommerce and software industries. Robert received a Master of Business Administration degree from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Gintautas Radvila Garsys
Regional Director, Medicare & Senior Products
IFC National Marketing
Prior to IFC I spent 7+ years as an independent agency owner doing all lines of business. In addition after that I spent 6+ years as a carrier representative in the small and large group market. If there are things or types of information you think I should add to this please let me know.
Mayra Garza
Head Of Group Benefits Strategy & Retail Segment
Guardian
Mayra Garza has extensive experience across the insurance industry, focusing on strategy, business development, and product management. She has a deep understanding of large-scale transformations, including operating model strategy, organizational design, and change management, as well as supply chain assessments. In her current role as Head of Group Benefits Strategy and Retail Segment at Guardian, Mayra is responsible for the development and alignment of the company’s Group Benefits strategic priorities, capabilities, and value proposition while also leading Guardian’s Retail segment, which distributes individual health offerings such as dental, vision, and accident through a variety of channels. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pennsylvania and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.
Marcelle Gathing
VP, National Strategic Accounts
Zing Health
Marcelle has 18+ years of experience in sales and account management in the healthcare industry with a focus on call center and national field distribution. During this time, he has consistently achieved record-high revenue generating goals, partner satisfaction, and bottom-line improvements. Joining the Zing Health team in 2023, Marcelle uses his progressive experience to manage call center distribution, implement strategic partnerships, and support key internal initiatives as Vice President, National Strategic Accounts. In this role, he interacts effectively with executive management as well as building productive and profitable relationships with valued clients, suppliers, vendors, staff, and all stakeholders. Prior to joining Zing, Marcelle was a National Sales Manager at Humana where he was responsible for sales and account management of key national distribution partners.
Charles Gellman
CEO & Co-Founder
HiDO Health
As the CEO and co-founder of HiDO Health, Charles Gellman is on a mission to improve millions of patient lives with AI assisted robotics. He is a data scientist, TEDx speaker, researcher, NIH grant reviewer, 100+ podcasts and filmed a documentary on the future of care. Charles is one of the top voices on AI assisted robotics, digital health, and the impact on care.
Michael Gende
Regional Sales Manager
GTL
Michael has been in Sales Management and Motivation all his life and the insurance industry for 18 years. He is known for his unrelenting positive attitude/outlook on life, as he has never seen a situation that did not have some ray of sunshine peeking through. ‘Everything you want is sitting on the other side of fear’ is his favorite quote!
Kris George
Founder & Co-Owner
ACA Academy & Next Step Insurance
Coach Kris, creator of the ACA Academy, is dedicated to training insurance agents across the country on the intricacies of the Affordable Care Act. With a passion for helping agents navigate complex situations, Kris believes in nurturing heart-centered agents who prioritize their clients' well-being. A successful agency owner, Kris has always focused on protecting clients from medical debt while educating them about their options. Recently, she expanded her focus to include training agents, aiming to empower them in safeguarding their clients' financial health.
Samantha George
Director Client Relationships, Medicare
The Baldwin Group
Samantha has over 22 years of experience in the Healthcare Industry, 14 specifically in Medicare, spanning from provider offices, Medicare agent, carrier leadership, to FMO leadership. She has served in markets from Florida to Washington and back again. In her current role, she heads up Learning & Development and Medicare Compliance for The Baldwin Group Health Insurance, a national FMO. She believes that agent education is the key to empowerment in agents being strong advocates for themselves and their clients.
TJ Gibb
President, Medicare Part D
Humana
TJ has extensive experience in the insurance and healthcare industries. He has more than 18 years with Humana and currently serves as the head of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan business and Low Income Newly Eligible Transition (LINET) program. These businesses serve millions of individuals and provide access to safe and affordable medications for seniors and other Medicare eligible populations. TJ leads the charge to help customers achieve their best health. Prior to his current role, TJ held an array of executive leadership roles for commercial employee benefits, retail insurance and healthcare organizations.
Syed Gilani
CEO & President
Safr Care
Syed Gilani is a visionary entrepreneur and the CEO of Safr Care, a pioneering healthcare technology startup dedicated to streamlining patient access through innovative transportation solutions. With over 30 years of experience spanning technology, healthcare, and global market expansion, Syed has led Safr Care to become a transformative force in healthcare transportation. Before Safr, he founded and grew companies in sectors including healthcare, education, and national security, leveraging his deep expertise across North American, European, Asian, and Caribbean markets. A graduate of Harvard University with advanced degrees in economics, finance, and international relations, Syed is also a contributing writer for Forbes, sharing insights on entrepreneurship and industry trends. Syed’s commitment to community development includes co-hosting the popular radio show Money Talk and More in the U.S. Virgin Islands and representing the American Asian business community at high-profile international events. He was honored as one of the 50 Outstanding Asian American Entrepreneurs by the AABDC in 2011. With a passion for mentorship, Syed frequently coaches young entrepreneurs and speaks at business forums, advocating for sustainable growth and innovation.
Chris Giuliani
CEO
Spring Venture Group
Chris, a dynamic and seasoned business leader, serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Spring Venture Group. He joined the company in 2011 as the Executive Vice President, bringing his wealth of experience and expertise to drive growth and success. Chris was promoted to CEO in 2012. Since assuming this role, Chris has played a pivotal role in shaping SVG’s strategic vision, overseeing its day-to-day operations, and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration. In addition, his emphasis on calculated growth and leadership development helped build the organization from 27 employees in 2012 to over 1300. Chris's dedication to innovation has led to substantial growth for SVG's three brands: Smart Match Insurance Agency, United Medicare Advisors, and the latest addition, SmartConnect. Under his leadership, Spring Venture Group has earned recognitions in Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000, Business Insurance’s Best Places to Work, The Kansas City Business Journal’s Fast 50, and earned Chris a place on Ingram’s 40 Under Forty list in 2014 and induction in the Ingram’s 250 in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Timothy Glover
National Broker Sales Director
Elevance Health
Tim has been at Elevance Health (formerly Anthem) since 2013, As National Broker Sales Director, Tim is passionate about his role in partnering with agencies and agents to positively impact the lives of members. Living his life with the mindset that “good enough” is seldom neither good, nor enough, Tim thrives on developing relationships that lead to professional success, and better lives for the people we serve. When not working, Tim is an avid golfer, and has developed an online golf podcast and indoor simulator near his home in SW Virginia.
Clelland Green
President
Benepath
Clelland N. Green, II, RHU, is the President of Benepath, Inc., a leading company connecting consumers and small businesses with trusted insurance agents through high-quality, exclusive leads. Under his leadership, Benepath has become a key player in fostering meaningful, one-to-one client-agent connections. An accomplished author and thought leader, Mr. Green's work has been featured in publications like Employee Benefit News and HR Executive. He holds a degree in Economics from Dickinson College and the RHU designation from The American College, blending strategic insight and technical expertise to drive innovation in the insurance industry.
Diana Greenberg
President
Total Financial & Insurance Services, Inc., A Simplicity Group Partner
Diana is a Partner at Total Financial Simplicity Group which was established in 1971 by her parents. As a seasoned professional in the insurance industry, she is known for her underwriting knowledge and expertise. She has spent most of her career finding new ways to improve processes and embracing change by adopting new technology. Diana serves as a board member on many advisory councils to some of the leading carriers. She serves as a board member of the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies. She was featured as one of the Top 20 Pioneering and Innovative CEOs in MYTECHMAG and Success Pitchers Magazine. She is recognized by the International Society of Female Professionals and inspires other females in the insurance industry.
Shaun Greene
Principal
Hoplite Insurance Services
After graduating West Point he commissioned as an infantry officer. After earning airborne and ranger qualifications, he served in the 25th Infantry at Schofield Barracks. He resigned his commission to attend Harvard Business School. He then joined Deloitte Consulting, serving clients in operations and logistics. He continued that work in corporate America, eventually discovering a passion for health insurance running operations for Extend Health. He continued that passion launching eHealth into Medicare and co-founding and leading the ACA Co-Op, Arches Health Plan. After Arches, he managed AgileHealthInsurance.com, the leading online seller of non-ACA health plans. He moved to Healthcare.com to build a national sales force and then transitioned to independent consulting, which led to the founding of the Insurance Marketing Coalition and his current executive role.
Shaily Gupta
Mabel
CMO & Co-Founder
Shaily Gupta is the Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Mabel, a high-performing marketing channel for Medicare Advantage growth, used by 10+ payers nationwide. Mabel sends letters and emails on behalf of providers to their Medicare patients, routing patient leads to preferred broker partners or payer telesales. Mabel allows MA plans and their top-performing providers to compliantly execute personalized and segmented campaigns (T65, DSNP, CSNP, Retiring Soon, etc.) in multiple languages and at scale using providers' patient lists. Shaily has spent the last decade working in Medicare—as a payer, provider, and broker. In addition to launching Mabel with her husband, Abhas Gupta, MD, she advises other entrepreneurs against starting companies with their spouses. Shaily has a B.S. with Honors in Biomedical Engineering from Brown University.
Laura Dinan Haber
Innovation Brand Director
Nassau Re/Imagine
Laura serves as innovation program manager for Nassau Re/Imagine, Nassau Financial Group’s Insurtech and Retiretech incubator. She drives community and industry collaboration and sources innovative partnerships for the company. Her professional experience includes a background in investor relations, economic development, and marketing roles. She also serves as co-organizer of TEDxHartford.
Chris Hagerstrom
Executive Director Of Communication & Training
Jack Schroeder & Associates
Chris Hagerstrom is the Director of Marketing Strategy at Jack Schroeder and Associates, LLC (JSA), a national Medicare-focused FMO. With decades of experience, he has played a key role in JSA’s growth by supporting independent agents and agencies in helping Medicare beneficiaries find the right coverage. As a registered continuing education instructor and expert in marketing and instructional design, Chris has been educating, training, and empowering agents since before the first Medicare Annual Enrollment Period in 2005. His deep market knowledge and passion for agent success continue to drive JSA’s mission of delivering top-tier support and resources nationwide.
Martin Haile
Chief Marketing Officer
Advantage Insurance Network
Martin serves as Advantage Insurance Network’s Chief Marketing Officer and is responsible for AIN’s overall business including wholesaling, recruiting, insurance company and distributor relationship management. Martin serves on the senior leadership team at AIN and has been with the organization for 17 years. During that time, Martin has played an integral role in AIN’s tremendous growth. Since Martin joined AIN in 2007, AIN’s Member Firm relationships and overall life insurance production have increased by a factor of five. Martin is an Eagle Scout and a graduate of the University of Redlands where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree. Martin lives and works in Westlake Village, California. Martin and his wife Megan have two sons, Noah (13) and Owen (11), and a daughter, Riley (6). In his free time, Martin enjoys coaching little league, travelling, snowboarding, cooking and spending time with his family.
Melissa Hall
CEO
The Hall Insurance Group
Melissa D. Hall is a prominent thought leader in the Medicare sector and the voice of female agents. She began her insurance career in college and has since guided thousands through her successful YouTube channel and innovative courses, including the Medicare Masters Academy, which trains agents in Medicare sales within 10 days. Passionate about building community engagement and media presence, Melissa empowers agents to connect with the senior community. She is also the owner of Hall Insurance Group, where her motto is “Everyone Matters.”
Jeff Halperin
Chief Risk & Compliance Officer
Amerilife
Jeffrey Halperin, AmeriLife’s Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, is responsible for administering the Company’s Risk and Compliance programs to ensure management is well-informed of enterprise and regulatory risks for AmeriLife’s diversified Health and Wealth Distribution businesses. He is an experienced legal and compliance professional with over 30 years of industry experience, serving as Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) for broker-dealers, investment advisers, insurers, and mutual funds. In Jeffrey’s current role, he leverages his extensive industry knowledge and leadership skills to bring a policy-based system of governance to AmeriLife’s operations. He is known for his engaging leadership style and ability to drive successful regulatory results through a metrics-driven, results-oriented approach.
Mike Hardle
Chief Revenue Officer
Agent Boost Marketing
Mike Hardle is the CRO and part owner of Agent Boost Marketing. Agent Boost is one of the largest independently operated FMOs in the Medicare and ACA space. Mike and his brother Dan (Agent Boost CEO), co-host the Agent Boost Podcast. A weekly podcast that functions as a behind the scenes tell all and talks in depth about industry trends and topics. Mike is an entrepreneur, adventurer, and fitness enthusiast. When Mike is not Running with the Bulls, swimming with sharks, or pushing himself physically, he is spending time coaching football or relaxing with his family!
Benjamin Harrison
Chief Revenue Officer
NCD
Ben Harrison, Chief Revenue Officer at NCD, is a seasoned executive in the insurance industry with over a decade of experience in driving revenue growth and product penetration. His expertise lies in strategic partnerships, market expansion, and product attachment. At NCD, Ben leads sales and business development, leveraging his deep understanding of the market to enhance the company's product offerings and customer base. Previously, while leading the D2C efforts for under and over 65 health insurance sales at National General and then Allstate, Ben demonstrated a proven track record in developing and implementing effective sales strategies that capitalize on cross-selling opportunities. Ben's insights and strategies have consistently resulted in increased market share and profitability.
John Hedgecoth
Strategy & Program Development Director, Duals - SNP Management
Elevance Health
John Hedgecoth is a Strategy and Program Development Director for the Elevance Health enterprise Duals Strategy team, which is responsible for managing national and market-level Dual-Eligible plan strategic deployment and overall product guidance. Based on Des Moines, IA, he is a former Medicaid Program Director for the Elevance health plan in Iowa (now Wellpoint Iowa) and previously served as a Health Plan Policy Director and later Senior Advisor in the Office of the Governor.
Gaylan Hendricks
CEO
Senior Security Benefits
Gaylan Hendricks is a trailblazing entrepreneur and CEO, known for her exceptional leadership and charisma. As the founder and CEO of Senior Security Benefits, she has forged a remarkable path in the health insurance industry. Since its inception in 2000, Gaylan has guided her company to unparalleled success, achieving sales of over $120 million in 2020. In a male-dominated industry, Gaylan's determination and pioneering spirit have set her apart. She has fearlessly risen to the top, breaking barriers and inspiring others along the way. With a philosophy focused on helping others rather than competing against them, Gaylan has become a beacon of empowerment and knowledge sharing. Beyond her role as CEO, Gaylan is a sought-after speaker at prestigious events, captivating audiences at 8% Nation, LeadsCon, Medicare Gurus Mastermind, and Ms. Medicare. Through her platform, Queen of the Bundle, she coaches and guides industry professionals, providing personalized support through private training sessions, training videos, and a vibrant social media presence. Gaylan has built a thriving community of followers, all eager to benefit from her wisdom and experience.
John Henson
Attorney
Troutman Amin LLP
John Henson joined TroutmanAmin in 2024. Prior to joining the firm, John was General Counsel at ConsumerAffairs.com where he led the Legal, Compliance and Talent and Culture since 2021. Previously, John was at LendingTree for six years, where he assumed a variety of roles including Vice President of Compliance, Interim General Counsel, and Assistant General Manager of LendingTree’s Mortgage vertical. John focuses on lead generation compliance around TCPA, UDAAP, and FTC and CFPB regulations. John lives with his wife and 3 children in Birmingham, Alabama, where he spends his free time barbecuing, watching college football and golfing.
Peter Hershon
Coventry
SVP Account Services
Peter Hershon is a Senior Vice President, Account Services for Coventry. With more than 20 years of combined experience in life settlements and life insurance, Mr. Hershon heads up Coventry’s team of Regional Vice Presidents and manages Coventry’s national distribution. Mr. Hershon is a graduate of Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. He has his Chartered Financial Consultant® and Chartered Life Underwriter® designations, Series 7, and Series 63 licenses.
Grant Hoffman
CEO
ConnectureDRX
Grant Hoffman is the CEO of ConnectureDRX, a software provider of innovative, compliant and trusted Medicare enrollment and drug transparency technologies for health plans and health insurance agencies. Grant leverages decades of healthcare software leadership experience to support a team that empowers seniors to make informed and confident coverage decisions while reinforcing the members’ relationships with their trusted plans and agents. Grant holds a BA and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and resides in Durham, NC with his wife and three children.
Paul Hoffman
VP Of Corporate Development (M&A)
AmeriLife
Paul Hoffman is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) and strategic planning across consulting, investment banking, and corporate development. He is a key figure in M&A and Strategy at AmeriLife, a company renowned for significant acquisitions such as Crump Life Insurance Services. His career has been marked by notable achievements, including international projects in Canada, China, and the U.K.
Shawn Holt
Chief Revenue Officer
Bloom Insurance
Shawn Holt brings more than 25 years of experience to the health insurance industry. A seasoned executive, Shawn has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and scaling organizations within the Medicare and ACA sector. Shawn is a Co-Founder of Focused Health, a Medicare Advantage and ACA-focused distribution agency acquired by Bloom in 2024. Prior to building Focused Health, he served as Chief Sales Officer at Centene Corporation, a Fortune 25 company, and was CEO of Meridian, Medicare. His extensive experience in health care sales, combined with his ability to build and lead high-performing teams, positions him as a key strategic leader for Bloom’s continued growth and innovation. Shawn lives in Charlotte, North Carolina with his wife Lucy.
Michael Howard
President
Howard Insurance Corporation
Howard Insurance LLC is an IMO agency solely focused in the life and health insurance space. Founded in 2013, we have been one of the largest insurance agencies in south Florida specializing in u65 life & health distribution. Whatever the case may be, a one stop shop who is prepared to anticipate and solve every need an agent has is invaluable. Having a diverse option of carriers which your agents or agency can provide to clients is one of the most important tools that leads to long term success. Howard Insurance LLC bridges the gap between agents, carriers, and industry partners, providing the resources and support you need to grow and thrive in an evolving insurance marketplace. We are able to connect you with top rated carriers in the country so that you can offer your clients the products and services they need and most importantly deserve.
Mark Hunter
Founder
Living Solutions
Mark Hunter, Founder of Living Solutions, specializing in alternative senior housing and care solutions. With over 44 years of innovation and business experience, Mark has a proven track record of developing innovative solutions. At this event, Mark will be presenting ppod his latest innovation, which aims to change the way we provide housing and care to our aging population. ppod reflects his commitment to the aging population. Mark has previously appeared on QVC, exhibited at Disney World, and received a Thomas Edison award for his ppod innovation. Outside of his professional pursuits, he enjoys a good saddle horse riding the trails of Western Wyoming.
Gabe Isaacson
Partner
McKinsey & Company
Gabe Isaacson is a Partner with McKinsey. Based in Pittsburgh, Gabe is a leader in the Medicare practice, serving payers, brokers, providers, and investors on topics across the Medicare value chain, with a specific focus on Medicare strategy, distribution, and product topics.
Benjamin Isgur
VP, Thought Leadership
Fidelity Health
Ben has spent more than 30 years as an advisor and spokesperson for business leaders, policy makers, and organizational decision makers in the U.S. and globally. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments, he founded a health research institute for a global consulting firm, where he led a team of industry experts, policy analysts, and economists developing original and independent thought leadership. Ben also developed health policy as a legislative director in the Texas House of Representatives and as a government relations officer for the City of Austin. Ben received a master’s degree from the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas where he was a U.S. Department of Defense fellow. He is a fellow with the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves as a board member for multiple health-related not-for-profits.
Chalen Jackson
Compliance Officer
McNerney Management Group
As a Key Accounts Specialist with Senior Marketing Specialists, Chalen works with top-performing agents and agencies to establish and execute strategic growth programs to help them reach the next level of their success. By working closely with agents to uncover market trends, highly specific opportunities, and a path for growth, he enhances partnerships through mutual triumphs. As Compliance Officer, he ensures that agents are in the know on compliance and regulatory changes as well as developing tools to help them remain effective in the current oversight environment. You can find Chalen’s work in national industry publications and as a sought-after speaker at events around the country, working to educate agents on how to grow their business no matter what regulatory hurdles may pop up. Chalen currently serves as the President of Missouri NABIP and on the National Medicare Advisory Group for NABIP. When he is not wading through regulatory jargon or helping agents find their path to success, you can find him hiking or fishing with his wife Julia and son Theodore in the woods and waters of Central Missouri.
Sachin Jain, MD
President & CEO
SCAN Group & SCAN Health Plan
Sachin H. Jain, MD, MBA, is CEO of SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan, serving over 300,000 members across five states. Previously, he was President and CEO of CareMore and Aspire Health, serving 200,000 patients in 32 states. He has held leadership roles at Merck & Co., CMS, and CMMI. Dr. Jain graduated from Harvard College, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard Business School. He is an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and serves on the boards of AHIP, Omada Health, Advantage Healthcare Services, and The Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans.
Ray Jang
Principal
Primetime Partners
Ray Jang is a Principal at Primetime Partners, a leading venture capital firm focused on innovative solutions for America’s aging population. He joined the firm in 2020 and is responsible for sourcing and managing early-stage investments that align with its mission to revolutionize the aging and longevity sectors. Before joining Primetime, Ray was an investor at Rex Health Ventures, the corporate venture arm of UNC Health System, where he focused on healthcare IT, medical devices, therapeutics, and diagnostics. Ray also founded Edu-MD, a venture-backed healthcare startup that provided continuing medical education to physicians across Asia and was acquired by IMD Marketing in 2015. He holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina's Kenan-Flagler Business School and earned his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Economics from the University of California, San Diego.
James Jiang
CEO & Co-Founder
Spark Advisors
James Jiang is the CEO and cofounder of Spark, where he leads strategy and growth. James spends his time building and nurturing partnerships with leading Medicare agencies across the country and guiding Spark's executive team. He is deeply proud of Spark's commitment to creating industry-leading technology and services, empowering independent agents and agencies to build the businesses of their dreams.
George Kalogeropoulos
CEO
HealthSherpa
George Kalogeropoulos co-founded HealthSherpa in 2013 with the aim to help every American feel the comfort and security of having health coverage. With his leadership, HealthSherpa has become the largest and fastest growing marketplace for individual health plan coverage in the United States representing 55% of all active FFM enrollments and enrolling more than 8.5 million people in ACA health plans in 2024 to date. Prior to HealthSherpa, Kalogeropoulos founded OpsCost and RentMetrics and worked in trading and portfolio construction at Bridgewater Associates. He is a graduate of Yale University and a native of Athens, Greece.
Joe Kanatzar
Medicare Growth Executive- Government Programs
VBlue Cross Blue Shield Of North Carolina
Joe Kanatzar has more than two decades of Medicare and Commerical experience in both start up and optimized environments. Prior to transitioning to the insurer space, He spent 10 years as a local and national distributor of a variety of insurance products. Previously, he was the Chief Growth & Strategy Officer for Clear Spring Health responsible for product design, retention, operations and sales efforts, resulting in record results. Currently, he is the Medicare Growth Executive- Government Programs, overseeing P&L focused strategies for retention, growth, and distribution across all Medicare products. Most recently, the team delivered a 200% YoY increase in sales volume during AEP, with retention and persistency rates exceeding industry benchmarks. He also spent several years with Florida Blue, Aetna, Humana and Centene developing product and Medicare capabilities. He received his Bachelors from Morehead State University and MHA from Ohio University.
Steve Kaplan
Chief Legal, Compliance, Privacy Officer
HealthPlanOne, LLC
Steve has more than 20 years of experience guiding entrepreneurial businesses of all sizes in a variety of risk management disciplines including Legal, Regulatory Compliance, and Privacy. After completing his Juris Doctorate at Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, GA, he focused his career facilitating sensible growth within Healthcare, Technology, and Financial companies. In 2008, Steve joined Connextions, a technology and business services partner to the healthcare industry, where he developed and scaled their risk management methodology before guiding the Connextions through its sale to Optum. In addition to his roles in legal and risk management, Steve has held executive operational positions in several growth organizations. Steve serves as HPOne's General Counsel and Privacy Officer.
Dror Katzav
CEO
Atidot
Dror Katzav is Atidot CEO & Co-Founder. Prior to co-founding Atidot Software Inc. Dror completed an 11-year career as a Team Leader & Project Manager with an elite IDF (Israeli Defense Force) Unit, leading state of the art technology development in Intelligence. In that unit, Dror led teams in Artificial Intelligence (AI), data solutions, and information sciences. Dror is an experienced data scientist who has consulted for many startups. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics and Mathematics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2008 and a Master of Science degree in Management Sciences and Information Technology from Tel Aviv University in 2013. Dror is married, a father of three adorable girls, and resides in Palo Alto, California.
Jeffrey Kee
Chief Compliance Officer, Multi-Carrier Solutions
CareFree Insurance Services
Jeff has over 20 years of knowledge and experiences working as an attorney in the ever-evolving space of Medicare compliance. He’s seen it all working at CMS, a PBM, a national Medicare plan and current an FMO. In his free time he loves RVing and playing tennis with his wife and 2 kids (in the NW suburbs of Chicago).
Bryan Keevan
President, Wholesale Health Affiliate Partners
AmeriLife
Bryan Keeven is a distinguished healthcare sales and operations executive with 30 years of experience in the industry. He is pivotal at AmeriLife, leading wholesale affiliates across the Life & Health space nationwide. Bryan is renowned for his exceptional business acumen, analytical insight, keen sense, and ability to turn data into insights and deliver value to the business, which drives a positive leadership experience, growth, and cost-effectiveness. He has also been a licensed producer since 1996.
Dave Keller
President
INSXCloud
Dave Keller has over 35 years experience in the insurance industry. Keller is the president of INSXCloud, an Enhanced Direct Enrollment ACA platform that serves producers, agencies, carriers and affinity groups. INSXCloud has participated in the ACA every year since 2014. In addition to his role at INSXCloud, Keller also serves as the president of IHC Specialty Benefits, the insurance agency that supports INSXCloud users.
Patrick Kelly
CEO & Co-Founder
Signal Advisors
Patrick Kelly is the CEO and co-founder of Signal Advisors, where he leads the mission to empower independent financial advisors in helping every American achieve a secure retirement. With over 20 years in the financial industry, Patrick’s experience spans roles as an investment advisor, financial representative, and entrepreneur. In 2012, he founded his first company, RepPro, which he later sold to RetireUp in 2018, where he then served as EVP of Business Development. In 2020, Patrick launched Signal Advisors to transform the financial advising landscape. His leadership philosophy is grounded in relentless curiosity, a client-first mindset, and a commitment to constant improvement. Under his guidance, Signal Advisors is pioneering solutions that make financial advising more accessible, efficient, and impactful for advisors and their clients.
Ryan Kimble
President Of Integrity Health
Integrity
Ryan is the President of Integrity Health and a Managing Partner at Integrity. Ryan is responsible for leading Integrity’s Health division, ensuring that revenue and production goals are met. Additionally, he plays a key role in managing relationships between Integrity’s distribution and carrier partners. Utilizing his deep expertise, he designs and implements strategies to advance Integrity’s mission to help all Americans prepare for the good days ahead. Ryan enjoys spending time on his farm where he raises cattle. He also enjoys spending time with his family.
Chris Kleisner
Regional Director, Medicare & Health
IFC National Marketing
With 25 years of experience in Health Insurance, my journey from a 1099 agent to Manager Sales Support has honed my expertise in go-to-market strategies and critical thinking. I’ve led efforts to streamline sales processes, ensuring agents consistently exceeded targets. The skills acquired through roles in direct sales, sales support, training, and marketing, has empowered me to navigate the complexities of healthcare with innovative solutions. At IFC, I’m laser focused on helping agents supercharge their marketing and lead generation efforts, while growing their new business, and maximizing retention. I live near Madison WI and ready for a quick chat!
David Kline
PDP Growth Leader & Senior Business Advisor To The Medicare Chief Growth Officer
Cigna
Dave brings strategic whiteboard concepts to life. At Cigna, he re-launched the commissionable PDP business and provides strategic insight and guidance on the full Medicare product portfolio. Prior to Cigna, Dave was leading transformational change and the development of new services, broker tools, and solutions at CVS within its Medicare units (SilverScript and their Medicare Diversified Distribution Business). The broker community views “Part D Dave” as a leading Medicare PDP knowledge source, thought leader, and engaging trainer. Dave has a collection of master’s degrees including an MBA from Columbia University, an MA in Health Public Policy from the University of Chicago, and an MSc in Health Economics and Policy from the London School of Economics. This foundational knowledge helps him better understand the social determinants of health. While Dave lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, you have a really good chance of finding him at a P.F. Chang’s whenever he is traveling on business.
Sheila Krocak
Senior Director Of Commercial Strategy
Best Buy Health
Sheila Krocak is the Senior Director of Commercial Strategy at Best Buy Health. In this role she leads growth and customer success for payers, government programs, and senior living. Sheila has a wealth of experience in developing solutions to connect aging populations with technology and support to improve their overall health and wellbeing. Prior to joining Best Buy Health, Sheila had growth roles at 7.ai and SupportSpace.
Danielle Kunkle-Roberts
Founding Partner
Boomer Benefits
Danielle is the co-founder of Boomer Benefits, a health insurance agency that helps baby boomers and seniors navigate Medicare in 49 states. She is the author of the best-selling book 10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make, which has sold more than 50,000 copies. Named the 2019 Health Insurance Advisory Firm of the Year, her agency has more than 1 million social media followers and over 25,000 five-star reviews online. She is a past president of the Fort Worth chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals and currently serves NABIP as the chair of the Medicare Advisory Working Group.
Ashlyn Lackey
Director, Innovation Strategy
Prudential
Ashlyn Lackey is a Director on the Emerging Technology team. In her role, she partners with business units to identify compelling technologies and startups for potential partnership. Outside of work, Ashlyn mentors for Global Insurance Accelerator and RevTech Labs, two accelerators in the insurtech ecosystem, and serves as the community manager for Women in Banking, Finance, and Fintech. She also volunteers for the Bay Area chapters of New York Women in Fintech. Ashlyn recently was named to Innovate Finance’s Women in Fintech Powerlist for her involvement in the fintech ecosystem
Sonya Larson
Director Of Program Development
Connectiv
Sonya Larson has 19 years' experience developing major events and programs, including directing GrubStreet's national creative writing conference, which was named "the best writing conference in North America" by The Writer Magazine. She lives with her husband and daughter in New York, loves running, and writes fiction, including work that's appeared in Best American Short Stories and awarded the Literarature Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Jean Lentsch
Compliance Officer
Western Asset Protection
Jean Lentsch is the epitome of compliance professionalism. With 30+ years in the insurance industry, over 25 of those being in the compliance realm at the carrier level, she is an advocate of agents and agencies as well as carrier/provider group partners. Her knowledge of the insurance regulatory requirements, standards, laws and policies, plus assessments of all existing and new regulatory changes as well as management of Western Asset Protection’s internal policies and standards is just the tip of the iceberg of her scope of work. She is a true compliance resource to many colleagues in the industry
Michael Levin
SVP Of ICHRA
HealthSherpa
Michael is the Senior Vice President of ICHRA at HealthSherpa, where he leads the strategy and execution of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA). Before joining HealthSherpa, Michael founded and served as CEO of Ideon. A self-described "benefits geek," he is deeply passionate about driving the shift in employee benefits from defined benefit plans to defined contribution models, with a focus on creating innovative, impactful solutions for both employers and employees.
Alexis Levy
Senior Partner
Healthscape Advisors
Alexis has helped clients across the healthcare industry on a variety of strategic, operational, and financial issues. She specializes in payer-provider relationships, particularly Medicare Advantage. Her experience includes strategic planning, M&A, operational due diligence, and value-based transformation. As co-lead for HealthScape’s Medicare Center of Excellence, she has led successful engagements focused on helping Medicare Advantage Organizations grow, develop external partnerships, improve Star Ratings, identify performance improvement opportunities, develop risk adjustment strategies, and improve compliance. Alexis holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy from Boston University.
Ian Lim
CEO & Founder
Aviator
Ian is the Founder and CEO of Aviator, a telehealth platform to connect patients with a personal healthcare advocate and AI copilot. His caregiving journey began a decade ago when his mother experienced multiple strokes, igniting his passion for transforming senior care through technology. Ian holds a Bachelor's degree from Stanford University, where he studied Computational Neuroscience and spent several years doing research with Stanford Medicine on brain computer interfaces and the intersection of AI and digital health.
Greg Marion
SVP Health Products & Services
AARP Services Inc.
Greg Marion is Senior Vice President of Health Products and Services at AARP Services Incorporated (ASI). In this role, Greg is responsible for the strategic direction and growth of ASI's health products and services portfolio that represents more than 10 million individual consumer relationships across health insurance, healthcare delivery, and caregiving services. Greg brings a long track record of driving profitable growth to this role with more than 20 years of prior industry experience which includes most relevantly his senior leadership roles at USAA, where he built out the health products business as well as head of corporate strategy.
Dennis Martin
President, Individual Life & Financial Services
OneAmerica Financial
Dennis Martin serves as president of Individual Life and Financial Services at OneAmerica Financial SM , and he leads the organization’s Life Insurance, Annuity and Asset-Based Long Term Care businesses. An authentic and adaptive leader, Martin has a proven track record of success across many facets of the insurance and financial services businesses. He is passionate about the mission of the Life Insurance and Long-Term Care industry, and he’s committed to creating a transformational environment to elevate its impact on customers, distribution partners and associates. Martin actively drives positive change in the insurance industry. He is currently chair of the Life Insurance Advisory Board for the Life Insurance and Marketing Research Association (LIMRA), and very engaged with distribution associations, including FINSECA and NAIFA. Martin graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and Actuarial Science. He is a Fellow in the Society of Actuaries and Canadian Institute of Actuaries, and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
Julie Mason
Founder
Mason Medicare Advocates
Julie Mason is a 35-year veteran in the Medicare industry, first serving 20 years at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), overseeing Medicare Advantage plans. She left Federal service to form three consulting firms, including Integritas Medicare, which provides compliance and operational consulting services to Medicare plans and their contracting entities, and Mason Medicare Advocates, which provides Medicare advocacy and consulting services to Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers. Her combined experience as a Federal regulator, a consultant to corporations, and an advocate for Medicare beneficiaries provides Julie a unique and long-range perspective on the Medicare program.
Mike Mathweg
Consultant
Relentless Consulting
Mike Mathweg is a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of Relentless Consulting, where he helps insurance agency owners structure, scale, and sell their businesses. After being fired from a corporate job, Mike discovered his entrepreneurial spirit and entered and exited the insurance industry for multiple millions before age 30. Drawing from his own journey of transformation, including becoming an Eagle Scout and named to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 by In Business Magazine, Mike now mentors agency owners to achieve both financial success and lifestyle freedom. His direct, no-nonsense approach emphasizes self-determination and relentless pursuit of goals while maintaining work-life balance.
Blake McCoy
Executive Director Health
The Baldwin Group
Baldwin Risk Partners welcomed Blake McCoy to their team in August 2020 following their acquisition of his companies. As of 2023, Blake is the Executive Director, Health. With over 20 years of experience in the Medicare industry, Blake has managed every aspect of the business including building an FMO and a captive channel business. He believes that an appreciated and knowledgeable team can achieve great things together while having fun. Outside of work, Blake enjoys traveling with his family, exploring new cultures, taking his Jeep offroad, and spending time with their animals. Baldwin Risk Partners is the parent company of Guided Solutions, and is headquartered in Tampa, FL, with a sales hub in Charlotte and 20+ offices nationwide. BRP is an award-winning, entrepreneur-led, and inspired insurance distribution holding company delivering solutions that give our clients the peace of mind to pursue their purpose, passion, and dreams.
Dwane McFerrin
SVP, Medicare Solutions
Senior Market Sales
As Senior Vice President, Med Solutions, Dwane McFerrin, CLU®, CFP®, RHU®, CLTC®, LLIF, has helped position Senior Market Sales® (SMS) as a market leader selling Medicare Advantage and Part D in addition to Medicare Supplement. He is responsible for the strategic direction of the Medicare product line, carrier relationships and a team of marketing consultants who support sales in excess of 725,000 new business applications into Medicare-related products annually. Dwane has more than 30 years of experience in executive-level positions in the insurance industry. Prior to joining SMS, he was Vice President of Marketing at Mutual of Omaha and a Senior VP of Agency at Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. He has a strong background in the senior market, sales management, association and worksite marketing, client development and lead generation. In 2020 the Omaha Association of Health Underwriters (OAHU) selected Dwane its Underwriter of the Year Award recognizing distinguished service to the association and the industry. McFerrin served as Chair for seven years on NAHU’s Medicare Working Group, served a two-year term on the Omaha AHU Board of Directors and currently serves on NAHU’s mental health task force and prescription drug task force.
Robert McFillin
President
Medicare Choice Group
Robert is the Founder and President of Medicare Choice Group, an organization specializing in employer focused, Medicare education and transition services programs. With 20 years of experience across group health plans and government programs, Robert’s expertise in adding Medicare education to HR service offerings has given him the opportunity to work extensively with employer groups, group benefit brokers, wealth managers, associations and health plans nationally.
Mindy McIntosh
Founder
McIntosh & Associates
Mindy McIntosh is a seasoned, IRMAA-certified financial advisor and founder of McIntosh & Associates in Freeland, Michigan. Since 2002, she has championed a "family first" philosophy, leading her team with the FOCUS Wealth Plan. This plan integrates future income planning, investment optimization, comprehensive tax strategies, healthcare understanding, and strategic legacy planning. An active community member, Mindy teaches financial literacy and serves on the Freeland Community Chamber of Commerce. She authored "Cultivate Wealth" and regularly shares her retirement planning expertise through various media, helping clients secure fulfilling retirements.
Sam Melamed
CEO
NCD
Sam Melamed is the infectiously positive CEO and Chief Insurance Nerd at NCD, building and distributing supplemental dental and vision insurance products for the Senior market. Sam is also the founder of Insurance Forums and an investor in Insuretech Connect, The Medicarians Conference and a number of healthtech and insuretech startups.
David Milligan
SVP Of Sales
Alignment Health Plan
David has 25 years’ experience in the Medicare Advantage industry. He has worked in the areas of member retention, compliance, and marketing but most of his tenure has been in sales leadership. He has led significant growth at organizations such as PacifiCare/Secure Horizons, Bravo Health, SCAN Health Plan and now Alignment Health where he is the SVP of Sales for CA. He holds Bachelors and Masters degrees in Business.
JC Moreno
National Director Of ACA
Amerilife
Juan Carlos (JC) Moreno is AmeriLife’s National Sales Director for the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Moreno comes to AmeriLife with over 20 years of business and sales experience, most recently at Elite Health Insurance. He served as sales and business development director with this ACA-focused health insurer. Before Elite, Moreno held various business consultant and sales leadership roles, including territory sales manager and general manager for the Under 65/ACA division at the insurance consumer solutions platform Assurance IQ.
Ryan Murchie
CEO
Ryan Murchie & Associates
Ryan and his family are based in Denver, Colorado, where he has built a distinguished career in the insurance industry. He spent years at Jack Schroeder and Associates (JSA), refining his expertise and expanding the agency’s presence before opening a satellite office in Denver. With over 15 years of experience, Ryan founded RMA, now one of Colorado’s largest independent Medicare brokerages. His expertise covers Long Term Care, Final Expense, and all Medicare products. Dedicated to agent success, Ryan continues to support independent insurance agents nationwide, helping them navigate the industry and grow their businesses.
Woodrow Myers
Managing Director
Myers Ventures
Woodrow (Woody) Myers MD MBA is a physician and a nationally recognized leader in public health, the development of medical quality initiatives and advanced healthcare management programs. As Managing Director of Myers Ventures LLC, he has coupled his passion for the highest standards of patient care with those of healthcare management. He is a Master of the American College of Physicians was elected to membership in the National Academy of Medicine. He serves on the Board of Directors of Personalis, Inc. (NASDAQ: PSNL) as an advisor to LightSpeed Venture Partners, Freespira Inc. and to the Public Health Policy Committee of eHealth Inc.
Tim Nardoni
Chief Distribution Officer
Heartland Financial Group
Tim Nardoni serves as the Chief Distribution Officer at Heartland Financial Group (HFG), an Integrity company focused on providing life and health insurance solutions for the senior market. With a career spanning roles such as Chief Executive Officer at Premium Choice Insurance and Executive Vice President of Sales at Senior Market Advisors, Tim brings extensive experience in the insurance distribution space. Based in the Greater St. Louis area, he continues to drive growth and innovation in the insurance industry.
Veronica Neal
President
Keystone Advisors
26 years’ experience in Health insurance industry. A results-focused leader with expertise spanning strategic planning, project management, contact center & business development. Has grown her agency into an eight-figure annual revenue, with year over year growth of 20-40%. The agency has 1600 broker partners and employs W2 LOAs in a contact center setting. The Agency’s niche approach consists of national provider and carrier service contracts. Veronica also serves President of Keystone Coalition. A non-profit that partners with local 501C chapters, and chairs for a Houston nonprofit which provides scholarships for higher education for at risk children in the greater Houston area.
Atesha Barnes Nelson
Executive Director
Central Choice Financial
I was born and raised in Northern California. Shortly after moving to MN I opened a stereo shop that I ran for 13 years before deciding to become a financial advisor. I was an advisor with Edward Jones as well as Prudential before joining the Central Choice Financial team. In addition to being a financial advisor, I am also the Executive Director in charge of operations.
Aaron Niedorf
EVP Of Sales
IFC National Marketing
Aaron Niedorf is EVP of Sales for IFC National Marketing in Minnesota. Aaron has been in the insurance industry for 27 years in various sales and marketing capacities. He’s held roles as a career retail agent, a point-of-sale insurance wholesaler in wirehouses, managing an advanced markets team at a carrier focused on estate planning in the high net worth market and for the last 20 years he’s been focused on helping independent agents and advisors better serve their clients and maximize growth and revenue opportunities with insurance and annuities.
Ronnell Nolan
CEO
Health Agents For America (HAFA)
B. Ronnell Nolan, HIA, is a dynamic leader and advocate in the health insurance industry. As President/CEO of Health Agents for America, Inc. (HAFA) since 2012, she has spearheaded initiatives to empower health insurance agents nationwide. Additionally, Ronnell leads HAFA PAC Louisiana and HAFA PAC Federal, amplifying agents' voices in policymaking. With roles on prestigious boards like the CMS Trade Group and the Louisiana Department of Insurance Agent Advisory Board, Ronnell is at the forefront of shaping industry regulations. Recognized for her impact, she has received numerous accolades, including the "Most Influential Women in Employee Benefits" award. Ronnell's passion for effecting change drives her advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill and in State Government.
Justin O'Keefe
CEO & Founder
Memorial Asset Protection Plan
Justin, Founder and CEO of MappNetwork, LLC has been a Licensed Insurance professional for over 40 years. He has been marketing medicare supplement products, financial service products & funeral insurance products through a network of funeral homes across the country. He is a fifth generation licensed funeral director and has a long history of helping families giving them the peace of mind they need and deserve.
Bas Offers
COO & Co-Founder
PX
Bas Offers, COO and Co-Founder of PX, is a prominent figure in the US digital media landscape. Based in New York City, he is known for his Dutch entrepreneurial spirit that has significantly transformed customer acquisition technology. His journey began in 2010 with the launch of ReviMedia, a disruptive lead generation platform that automates and optimizes performance-based marketing processes, leading to overall higher lead quality and improved efficiency in the online lead generation space. In 2016, he co-founded PX, offering a comprehensive platform for automating customer acquisition campaign management. Today PX is used by hundreds of marketers to accelerate their growth, across 30+ industries, and has grown to be the leading platform in this space. Both PetPremium and ReviMedia, companies that Bas Co-Founded, were successfully acquired in 2019. Beyond his business successes, Bas is deeply involved in the New York startup community, mentoring Dutch companies expanding into the U.S. market and supporting early-stage companies as an angel investor to achieve substantial growth.
Chris Orestis
President
Retirement Genius
Chris Orestis, CSA President of Retirement Genius, is a nationally recognized financial, health/LTC, and retirement issues expert. He has over 25 years’ experience in the insurance and long-term care industries and is credited with pioneering the Long-Term Care Life Settlement over a decade ago. Known as a political insider and senior issues advocate, Orestis is a former Washington, D.C. lobbyist who has worked in both the White House and for the Senate Majority Leader on Capitol Hill. In 2007 he founded Life Care Funding, in 2017 he founded the LifeCare Xchange, and in 2020 he founded Retirement Genius. Chris Orestis is author of the books Help on the Way and A Survival Guide to Aging-- with a third book Retire Like a Genius to be published. He has been speaking for two-decades across the country about senior finance and the secrets to aging with financial and physical health and dignity. He has appeared in numerous publications and news outlets over the last two decades including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, NBC News, Fox News, USA Today, and AARP, and has been a guest expert on over 100 radio programs and TV appearances.
Nick Ortner
Senior Consulting Actuary
Milliman
Nick Ortner is a Senior Consulting Actuary with Milliman’s Chicago-Milwaukee health practice. He has consulted with the firm for over 20 years and has perspective from his consulting and insurance company experience regarding many aspects of the MA and MedSupp product spaces. Nick’s presentations and publications have addressed topics ranging from pricing and financial performance to innovation, underwriting, sales/marketing, and consumer protections, spanning a diverse spectrum of organizations and markets. Nick regularly participates in industry meetings involving insurance carrier, regulatory, and other industry experts to discuss emerging issues across the MA and MedSupp landscapes.
Ben Pajak
CEO
HealthPlanOne
Ben Pajak is the CEO of HealthPlanOne (HPOne), a leading data-driven consumer acquisition and lifecycle management platform focused on the life, health, and wealth goals of 65+ adults in the US. Powered by purpose-built technology, proprietary lead generation, and deep analytical insights, HPOne helps individuals navigate the complexities of insurance through personalized guidance and curated solutions. Today, HPOne serves millions of consumers annually and assists its carrier partners in acquiring, activating, engaging, and retaining healthcare consumers for life. Before leading HPOne, Ben led Willis Towers Watson’s individual marketplace efforts in the employer and direct-to-consumer spaces for over a decade. An experienced and widely respected healthcare insurance executive, he was integral in acquiring and leading several companies in the fast-growing senior health insurance segment.
Angela Palo
President & COO
Pinnacle Financial Services
Angela is the Chief Operating Officer and co-owner of Pinnacle Financial Services, Warminster, PA. As one of the principals, Angela oversees all the company's daily operations. Her responsibilities include traveling the country and forging pivotal connections with agents, carriers, and vendors. In this role, she has been instrumental in Pinnacle's sustained growth and market presence. Angela is a member of several nationally recognized insurance carrier advisory boards and has been a speaker at numerous industry events, including national platforms like Medicarians. Angela participates and represents women in business for several organizations and groups, including ELF, Chief, DWLC, and others.
Arundhati Parmar
VP & Editor-in-Chief
MedCity News
Arundhati Parmar is vice president and editor-in-chief of MedCity News. In this role, she is in charge of editorial content appearing on MedCityNews.com and conference programming for INVEST and INVEST Digital Health as well. She is also the host of the MedCity Pivot Podcast and co-host of the YouTube show — Debunked, which adds a bit of personality and pizzazz to the analysis of healthcare news. Arundhati enjoys moderating conference panels as well reporting and writing on a variety of healthcare topics. She welcomes any tips from MedCity News readers. Reach out to her on Signal.
Anna Patrick
Director Of Strategic Partnerships
Integrity
Anna Patrick is the leader of Technology Training at Integrity and CSG Actuarial. She collaborates closely with Integrity Partners, agencies, and independent agents to help them effectively utilize Integrity’s technology platforms. Her goal is to enhance their client service, business management, and growth. Anna offers valuable insights on navigating the changing market and maintaining strong client relationships. She is passionate about keeping agents well-informed through market analytics and data, enabling them to serve their clients better.
Steve Patton
SVP Of Simplified Issue Solutions
AmeriLife
Steve Patton is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in Medicare, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, and specialty health insurance products. Currently, he is the Senior Vice President of Simplified Solutions at AmeriLife, where he leverages his deep knowledge and connections to provide valuable insights and solutions. With decades of experience, Steve is recognized as a trusted and well-connected authority in Medicare-related areas.
David Paul
VP, Life
Amerilife
David Paul has been an integral part of AmeriLife since 1990, beginning his career as President of American Publishing and Advertising, AmeriLife’s in-house advertising agency. In this role, he was instrumental in developing AmeriLife’s first logo and advertising materials targeted at the senior market. In 2008, David transitioned to AmeriLife Marketing Group (AMG) as a Marketing Director, later advancing to National Marketing Director with AmeriLife affiliate AAA Marketing Services. He returned to AMG in 2014, where he has consistently demonstrated exceptional performance and leadership as a high-achieving Marketing Director and industry leader.
Rosie Paulsen
Owner
S&R Services
Rosie Paulsen is a dynamic business strategist and keynote speaker who has made her mark as the owner of Rosie Paulsen Enterprises and S&R Services, a Medicare brokerage serving clients across Florida. Originally from Ecuador, Rosie came to the United States as a teenager and has since become a respected leader in her field, recognized as one of the "Top 50 Most Influential Leaders in Florida" by the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She currently serves as Chair of the Spirit of the Community Awards for the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and is an active member of the Tampa Club Board of Directors.
Daniel Petkevich
CEO & Founder
MedicareVox
Daniel Petkevich is CEO of MedicareVox, a company building the AI licensed Medicare agent. MedicareVox was born from Dan’s experience launching Fair Square, a Medicare brokerage with 13,000 clients, 95 NPS, and 90% annual retention. Fair Square and MedicareVox have raised $19 million in funding from top Silicon Valley Investors, including YCombinator, Define Ventures, and Slow Ventures. Previously, Daniel started and exited a financial technology company and studied Physics at Yale University.
Jeremie Pielemeier
EVP
Eldercare Insurance Services
As Vice President of Eldercare Insurance Services, an Integrity Company, I am deeply committed to serving the senior market with Medicare products, final expense plans, annuities, and other essential financial solutions that help consumers plan for the goods day ahead. My passion for sales began at the age of 13, selling candy door-to-door, and I’ve been on a mission to help others ever since. I joined Eldercare in August 2001 as a agent selling Medicare supplement insurance, and earned the title of Producer of the Year four times over the next 5 years. Now, my focus is on helping agents and agencies grow their businesses by sharing the knowledge and experiences I've gained over the years. I find great joy in guiding others toward success and empowering them to help more clients achieve financial peace of mind. Beyond the office, I’m a proud father of three—a son and two daughters—and have been happily married to my wife, Laura, since September 2003. In my free time, you can find me restoring antique cars, hunting, or spending quality time with my family.
Jessalyn Pito
Owner
JP Maven Insurance Benefits
Jessalyn Pito, from Middletown, CT, has built a dynamic career spanning healthcare, network marketing, and insurance. She spent 16 years as an x-ray technician before excelling in network marketing, becoming the first to sell over $1,000,000 in products with her company.. Recognized for her organizational skills, she was a guest on the Dr. Oz Show. Now in her seventh year in Medicare insurance, she’s a Top Producer with many carriers. Jessalyn, a widow, finds strength in her son, granddaughter, and furbaby, Chance. Her journey reflects resilience, success, and a passion for helping others which she leaned on to get through this wild AEP.
Susan Plumer
Chief Growth Officer
ConnectureDRX
Susan Plumer is the Chief Growth Officer for ConnectureDRX. Susan has been instrumental in giving multicarrier organizations and health plans more visibility in the Medicare industry, by creating new distribution networks between FMOs, agencies, health plans and seniors and developing innovative sales strategies for agencies to grow their business. Susan is highly experienced in Medicare quoting and enrollment technology sales with more than 15 years of Healthcare IT experience. Susan is passionate about health, fitness and wellness and her teenage daughter! https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-plumer-80b5b95/
Ron Ray
Owner
Turning 65 Solutions
Ronald Ray is a Texas based financial advisor who specializes in solving the problems of to-day’s Baby Boomer generation. Through the avenues of Health, Life, and Long Term Care insurance, as well as retirement income planning, Ronald has been able to help his clients enjoy their retirement years free from the worries that many seniors face. Ronald provides his clients with a personalized comprehensive asset protection service. He brings to the table not only his own experience, but the many decades of experience of his associates. Ronald has assembled a team of experts in the fields of insurance, tax planning and preparation, estate planning and elder law issues, and retirement and financial planning. He has dedicated his service to the families he helps by acting as an advocate. He regularly locates doctors, addresses medical billing issues, and can assist with funeral arrangements, etc. A life-long servant to others, Ronald has been a police officer for 22 years and holds a Master Peace Officer certificate from the State of Texas. He left law enforcement as a full-time career in 2009, only to continue serving others in the field of insurance.
Drew Rector
President
MeetingsTech
Drew Rector is a dynamic and strategic executive with deep experience in nurturing successful partnerships, product development, and growth strategies for accretive results. His 20+ years of experience in healthcare leadership has led him to his current role as President of MeetingsTech. Drew prides himself as a servant leader who elevates culture as a key management tool for motivating leaders and associates throughout the organization. He is a seasoned operations executive with a proven track record of driving growth and increasing revenue and profitability, with MeetingsTech being no different. He served in the U.S. Army Airborne Infantry (Ranger school graduate), has a bachelor’s degree in accounting, is a graduate of Cornell University Executive Leadership Program, and holds an MBA from the University of South Florida.
Justin Reinig
CEO
Oberlin Marketing
Justin is the Executive Director at Oberlin Marketing, a long-trusted independent life and health brokerage in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He has served two terms as NABIP-NEI chapter president, and is the current legislative chair in Northeast Indiana, and sits on the legislative committee for the state of Indiana. Under his leadership, Oberlin has continued to grow it’s footprint to supporting agents in 43 states, while strengthening relationships with over 70 insurance carriers, and launching a retail division of their business as well in 2022. He is a regular speaker, collaborator, and advocate for agent distribution, often facilitating collaboration between many carriers, brokers, and clients for a better future of health insurance. Justin has a knack for being a re-thinker, strategist, and developer of people, which has led to his time volunteering with multiple area non-profit organizations making an impact. He is also refining his content for the book he is writing for his daughters titled, “The things I think I told you”. He resides in Auburn, Indiana with his wife Kyleigh, their three daughters, three dogs, and 7 chickens.
Cara Repasky
Partner
McKinsey & Company
Cara Repasky is a Partner with McKinsey based in Pittsburgh. She leads the firm’s client service in Medicare and SNP topics across strategy, growth and performance topics, serving payers, providers, distributors, investors, and service organizations across the healthcare value chain.
Chris Reuter
SVP Of Carrier Sales
UnitedHealthOne
Chris Reuter is Senior Vice President of Carrier Sales with UnitedHealthOne, the individual, family and distribution line of business within UnitedHealthcare. UnitedHealthcare is a part of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), the world’s largest healthcare company, ranking number 5 on the Fortune 500. UnitedHealthcare is comprised of multiple lines of businesses which together serve one in eight Americans, making it the single largest organization dedicated to health and well-being in the United States. In 2022, UnitedHealthOne produced over $2 billion in annual premium, serving nearly 2.2M lives contributing to UnitedHealthcare’s success. Chris began his career in health insurance with UnitedHealthcare in 2005 as an Account Executive working with independent brokers contracted with UnitedHealthcare’s individual line of business Golden Rule Insurance Company. Chris quickly developed industry relationships and became passionate about UnitedHealthcare’s role in the individual health insurance space. His career progressed with several leadership roles, including Director of FMO Agency Sales and Director of Digital Marketing and ecommerce. In 2016, Chris was promoted to Vice President of Sales for UnitedHealthOne, which included
oversight over all UnitedHealthcare’s individual line “age pre-65” sales distribution channels including ecommerce, broker, and call center sales. In 2019, UnitedHealthOne expanded with multiple acquisitions, in which Chris was heavily involved. He continues to help shepherd this growth and supports other leaders within UnitedHealthOne in his current role as Senior
Vice President of Carrier Sales.
Sarah Richard
CEO & Founder
Vara
Sarah is Founder & CEO of Vara, the compliance copilot that changes the risk profile of senior living operations. Sarah is also Founder & CEO of AgeTech NYC, the community of 600+ NYC-based entrepreneurs, senior living operators, and investors using technology to make New York the best place to grow older.
Dennis Rinner
Director Of Strategic Accounts
GoldenCare
Dennis Rinner has over 35 years of experience and conducting over 2,500 workshops, with thousands trained. Has helped his company become recognized leaders in the Long-Term Care/Short-Term Care insurance market, with over one Billion in sales. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with an emphasis in Insurance from San Diego State. Dennis excels at communicating the importance of planning ahead for care to Medicare Specialists, Financial Advisors, Life and Annuity Professionals. His training provides agents with valuable tools to help support their sales success, taking the complex, making it simple, giving these professional, actionable strategies that work.
Craig Ritter
CEO
Ritter Insurance Marketing
Craig Ritter is CEO of Ritter Insurance Marketing and a Managing Partner at Integrity. Craig attended Penn State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began working in the insurance industry in 1992, earning both his CPCU and AFSB designations. Further pursuing his passion for the business, Craig joined his father in 1997 to work for URL Senior Care Division. The company was renamed Ritter Insurance Marketing after being purchased from URL in 2005. From humble beginnings, Ritter Insurance Marketing has grown substantially, with hundreds of employees working in offices across the country. Craig believes that Ritter thrives due to its deeply rooted values. The agency’s family-oriented atmosphere and the enthusiasm and dedication of its team members have helped Ritter flourish into the company it is today. Craig focuses his business on helping three groups succeed: the insurance agents that work with Ritter, the Ritter employees and the insurance companies they represent. The company’s steady growth and success has proven that this philosophy is sound.
Sharon Rodriguez
CEO
HighPeak AI
Sharon Rodriguez, CEO of HighPeak.ai, brings 20+ years of leadership experience spanning Fortune 500 companies and startups. A global senior executive who leverages technology to transform business operations, she brings a proven track record of catalyzing top-line revenue growth, building strong teams and cultures, optimizing customer experience, and achieving outsized outcomes. An expert in global strategic operations and change management, she navigates tech implementation, customer experience, product development, GTM strategy, team building, and finance.
Sean Ruggiero
Chief Distribution Officer
Brokers International
Sean A. Ruggiero currently serves as a Managing Partner at Integrity Marketing Group. Sean's focus is on helping consumers, agents and advisors with retirement readiness through the use of evolving FIAs. Sean’s expertise includes retirement income planning, wealth management, SaaS, insurance, credit, automotive, mortgage and finance verticals. Voted by Life Health Pro as one of “Top 20 Most Creative People in Insurance” for 2015. DIA award winner in 2016 Barcelona. Listed Top 100 InsurTech Startups by Digital Insurance Agenda 2016-2018. Marketing consultant for three of the top 60 insurance companies in the United States. Founder of SafeMoneySmart.org, a non-profit dedicated to the awareness of alternatives to the stock market in retirement. Author of the best-selling book, "7 Benefits of FIAs for Retirement."
Jamie Sarno
VP Of Medicare Supplement & Health Specialty Products
Amerilife
Jamie Sarno is an experienced National Sales Director with a demonstrated history of working in the Senior Medicare Market. Skilled in long-term care, short-term nursing care, life and health insurance, customer service, and sales, he is a strong product management professional. Jamie is Vice President of Medicare Supplement & Health Specialty Products at AmeriLife. His extensive background in the industry and his focus on customer service and sales have made him a valuable leader in the company.
Cory Schmidt
CTO & Founder
AgencyBloc
Cory Schmidt is AgencyBloc's Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer. His passion for insurance technology can be traced back to his days at Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, where he was Team Leader of Marketing Systems. Around the same time, he co-founded Spinutech, a website and digital marketing agency. In 2008, he became a founding partner of AgencyBloc. In his role as the company's CTO, he works on strategic initiatives and leads the development team of AgencyBloc's Plus Suite, the #1 Recommended Insurance Industry Growth Platform that serves the health, senior, and benefits industries.
Brian Sedlachek
Founder & President
Central Choice Financial
I grew up on a dairy farm in the Brainerd area. I graduated from the University of MN-Duluth with a degree in Industrial Engineering. In 1996 I married my wife, Julie. We have three girls, Oliva, Madelyn and Isabella. After spending 7 ½ years as an engineer I changed careers and started Central Choice Financial. I am life and health, general securities, and investment advisory licensed. Our team has grown into having 2 offices, Baxter, MN and Fargo, ND with 8 people on staff.
Mark Seghers
CEO & Co-Founder
Inspire Health Tech
Mark Seghers has enjoyed a well-rounded career as an insurance and InsurTech executive, entrepreneur, and consultant. After leading E-commerce for two national carriers, Seghers launched a series of inventive, successful startups - most recently Inspire Health Tech, an AI-based plan recommendation engine for consumers and the agents who serve them. Mr. Seghers’ broad, varied background helps him understand the needs of carriers, agencies, and the increasingly tech-savvy (and fickle) insurance consumer. He believes that the right technology begins with the focus on the needs of the consumer which, if done well, can benefit the entire value chain.
Tony Silva
CEO
Grand App AI
Tony’s career is defined by innovation and a deep understanding of technology's transformative role across industries. With expertise spanning technology, operations, product development, and distribution, Tony has consistently pushed the boundaries of what’s possible. He played a key role in launching groundbreaking solutions, including the first web-based insurance policy system and an award-winning homeowners quoting platform. Passionate about leveraging advanced tools like Generative AI and emerging technologies, Tony is dedicated to driving change and improving outcomes in senior care and insurance. Beyond his professional achievements, Tony enjoys sharing his home with a variety of pets and indulging in culinary adventures and travel with his family.
Royce Simmons
COO
Compass Insurance Advisors
I was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and am the proud parent of four children who have blessed me with 13 grandchildren. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Texas at Arlington. My career journey includes 10 years in securities with Paine Webber, followed by 25 years in Health and Life Insurance. Over the years, I've been honored to receive multiple awards in sales and marketing. For the past 25 years, I've called the Salt Lake City area home, where I've developed a deep passion for supporting both agents and agencies at the highest level.
Dirk Soenksen
CEO & Co-Founder
Ceresti Health
Dirk Soenksen is co-founder and CEO of Ceresti Health. Prior to co-founding Ceresti, Mr. Soenksen was founder and CEO of venture-backed Aperio, the recognized leader in digital pathology, which was acquired by Danaher in 2012. Mr. Soenksen also founded the Digital Pathology Association (DPA), a non-profit organization comprising major vendors and leading pathologists, with the goal of establishing best practices and increasing awareness of digital pathology. Dirk served as President of the DPA from its 2006 inception until 2012, and as a board member of the DPA through the end of 2014. He has an undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Bowdoin College, a graduate degree in electrical engineering from the University of Pennsylvania and his MBA from Pepperdine University.
Fran Soistman
CEO & Director
EHealth
Fran Soistman is the CEO and Director of eHealth Inc., a private online marketplace for health insurance. With over 40 years in health insurance and managed care, Fran leads eHealth’s strategic and financial transformation. Previously, he was EVP at CVS Health and President of Aetna’s Government Services, overseeing businesses generating $44 billion in revenue. He co-founded Jessamine Healthcare and held leadership roles at Coventry Health Care. Fran is also a philanthropist, supporting higher education through endowments. He has served on multiple advisory boards, including Towson University and Penn State. He holds degrees from Towson University and Stanford’s Executive Program.
Elka Soussana
CEO & Founder
Simpler Horizons Insurance Solutions
Elka is the CEO and co-founder of Simpler Horizons Insurance Solutions, a thriving senior general agency boasting over 100 independent agents. Currently serving as the Chair for the CAHIP-LA Medicare board and as an advisor for the Foundation for Senior Services, Elka is a respected figure in the insurance and senior services sectors. Since making her mark in the Medicare space in 2012, she has skillfully navigated its complexities, ensuring both her agents and the seniors they serve can make informed choices.
Melissa Sterling
President
Insurance Associates Agency
Melissa Sterling is President and Co-Owner of Insurance Associates, a family-owned independent health and life insurance agency established in Eau Claire Wisconsin in 1981. She leads a team of dedicated staff in providing exceptional client-centered service. Melissa began at Insurance Associates as an accounting intern in 2012 and has advanced to this position thanks to her visionary leadership, dedication, and commitment to continuous improvement. She has significantly improved the agency's efficiency through training and technological updates and has expanded their reach through regional expansion and innovative marketing strategies. She is passionate about helping seniors and establishing long-lasting relationships with their clients.
Jason Stevens
CEO
Stevens & Associates Agency
Jason Stevens is CEO of Stevens & Associates Insurance Agency, Inc. He was born and raised in Santa Barbara, CA. Jason has lived and breathed insurance since he was a child. “I have been a Medicare specialist since I was 3 feet tall,” he says. “growing up in the family business of insurance, it just becomes a part of your life.” Jason has been recognized as a leading national producer for multiple carriers and by organizations such as NABIP that have listed him a “Soaring Eagle” on the Leading Producers Round Table. Now as CEO, he has taken more of a role to grow the agency through innovation developing multistep automation to reduce the workload, allow scalability, and ease the pressure of AEP. Since his promotion to CEO, the company has gone from pen and paper to fully automated systems and Jason has ambitious plans to further strengthen the agency's workforce through innovation.
Jared Stock
Principal & Consulting Actuary
Telos Actuarial
Jared Strock is an owner of Telos Actuarial and Medicare Market Insights. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He helps insurance companies create new insurance products for the Medicare market, and helps Medicare distributors calculate their customer retention, LTV, and book of business values. He also posts Medicare focused content on LinkedIn daily, and has a weekly newsletter focused on the Medicare industry. Jared enjoys being outside, playing music, and being a husband and dad to 3 kids!
Lee Stuck
Senior Partner & Chief Analytics Officer
Healthscape Advisors
Lee leads a team that develops analytics capabilities and human capital to deliver data-driven insights and strategic recommendations to clients. His team focuses on market entry, sales and marketing optimization, cost optimization, M&A, advanced analytics program development, and analytics strategy and org design. Lee has helped healthcare organizations address critical challenges through innovative solutions including applying industry-leading approaches to identify opportunities for performance improvement and growth, particularly in value-based and managed care programs. Previously, Lee led a cross-functional team at McKinsey & Company's healthcare practice. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Public Policy from The College of William & Mary.
Xing Su
Co-Founder
Seen Health
Xing Su is the Co-Founder and CEO of Seen Health, a PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) organization inspired by his personal caregiving journey with his twin brother and co-founder, Yang Su, as they supported their aging grandparents. Driven by a commitment to deliver the kind of care he would trust for his own family, Xing co-founded Seen Health to provide seniors with compassionate, comprehensive, and culturally-focused support that empowers independence and dignity. By integrating technology, Seen Health ensures exceptional care reaches more seniors who need it most. A graduate of Duke University, Xing previously served as Head of Global Expansion at Uber Freight and International Launcher at Uber, where he led research, go-to-market, operations, and expansion across multiple markets in North America, China, Europe, and Latin America. His strategic vision, operational acumen, and deeply personal dedication have been key to building Seen Health into a trusted partner in senior care.
Bob Sullivan
CEO
Pinpoint Global Communications
Bob Sullivan was appointed CEO of Pinpoint Global Communications in January 2002, bringing more than 35 years of leadership experience in sales, marketing, and general management across the technology, digital media, and insurance sectors. Under Bob’s leadership, Pinpoint Global has become a premier provider of enterprise-level Learning Management Systems (LMS) and compliance solutions, specializing in the Medicare certification process. Over the past 12 years, he has overseen the development and management of Medicare Certification Systems, ensuring seamless training, compliance, and onboarding for thousands of insurance agents nationwide.
Sean Taylor
CEO
Healthcare.com
Sean Taylor is the CEO of HealthCare.com, a consumer platform serving millions of consumers annually, with a focus on delivering customized health insurance and ancillary products through its web properties and distribution partnerships, including specific solutions for the Senior Market. HealthCare.com's deep understanding of the consumer, combined with its advanced use of data science and AI, results in best-in-class matching and persistence, generating significant value for consumers and distributors alike. Prior to joining Healthcare.com, Sean founded Jaroop - a technology company acquired by Healthcare.com that specialized in optimizing and scaling insurance distribution. Jaroop's innovative solutions helped agencies and carriers streamline their operations.
Doug Teff
VP, External Partner Sales
Humana
Doug Teff is the Vice President of External Partner Sales at Humana. He joined Humana in 1998 and has been focused on the Medicare business since 2012. As VP of External Partner Sales, he is responsible for sales and the teams that support Partner Call Centers, FMOs, brokers and other strategic partners. During his 25+ year career with Humana, he has served in a wide variety of roles, all in sales and distribution. Notably, he was a key leader in the launch and development of the HumanaOne individual medical product, leading multi-channel sales teams and growing with various distribution partners. Beginning in 2012, he became a leader in the Humana Partner Channel, responsible for a broad portfolio of teams and initiatives including the launch of MarketPoint's brokerage and partnership with Walmart - all helping catalyze explosive MAPD growth from our partners. Most recently, he led the transformation of the Humana Field sales channel, which included Humana's Partner FMOs and Career agents. Doug holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's degree in business administration from Cardinal Stritch University. A Wisconsin native, Doug and his family have resided in Louisville since 2014.
John Terry
Special Projects Sales Director
Legacy Marketing Group
Author, speaker, and trainer, John is a 30+ year veteran of the financial services industry, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience both as a personal producer and coach to high-level advisors. He is also a 3-time martial arts Hall of Fame inductee and was named one of Brainz Magazine’s Global 500 Leaders and Influencers in 2023. John currently serves as the Special Project Sales Director for Legacy Marketing Group.
Charley Tinsley
1st VP, General Manager – Thomas Insurance Group
Senior Market Sales
Charley started selling insurance for Missouri Farm Bureau in his hometown, Charleston, MO, in 2002. With more than two decades of experience and continual training, have broadened his service offerings to include Employer Health Insurance, Disability Insurance, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, Life Insurance, Long Term Care Insurance, Annuities and Individual Retirement Accounts. A love of working with and helping others fuels his drive to offer clients the best solutions and to make sure they are prepared as best as possible for the future. Charley purchased Thomas Insurance Group in January 2012. Charley is a family man and loves spending time with his wife and two kids. Being involved in their extracurricular activities, along with their love of traveling, takes up the majority of his free time.
Todd Tippets
President
Standard Life & Casualty, A ManhattanLife Company
Todd joined Standard Life and Casualty Insurance Company (a ManhattanLife company) in 2021. He began his career in the insurance industry in 1995 at Cigna. During his career, he has held a variety of leadership roles with increasing responsibility at Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and Sterling Life Insurance Company (Windsor Health Group). Additionally, he has international experience in Latin America and is fluent in Spanish. He earned his BS in Microbiology from Brigham Young University and his MBA with a focus in Health Services Management from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Todd is married and has 5 children.
Mike Tobitsch
EVP Of Corporate Development
AmeriLife
As AmeriLife’s Executive Vice President and Head of Corporate Development, Michael spearheads AmeriLife’s growth strategy and leads its mergers and acquisitions and partnership integration efforts. Previously, Michael served as a Managing Director at Marsh McLennan, where he managed a team of investment professionals who deployed over $1 billion annually into global acquisitions across the insurance, investment management and advisory industries. Michael began his career as an investment banker at Wells Fargo Securities.
Noah Tong
Staff Writer
Fierce Healthcare
Noah Tong is a staff writer at Fierce Healthcare, primarily covering payers and policy. He occasionally guest hosts on Fierce HC's award-winning podcast, Podnosis and moderates healthcare panels. Before joining Fierce, he worked as reporter for the Corridor Business Journal near Iowa City, Iowa, where he covered research at the University of Iowa, medical startups and much more. Before switching to business journalism, Noah wrote extensively as a sportswriter, specializing in soccer, for local newspapers and digital news publications. Noah received a B.S. in Marketing and Sports Management with a minor in Journalism from Manchester University near Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Grace Totman
Director, Co-Head Of Healthcare Practice
Capstone
Grace co-leads Capstone’s Healthcare practice where she advises private equity firms, hedge funds, and corporate clients on investment decisions, M&A, and corporate strategy. Grace has specific expertise in the managed care and payor sectors, with strong experience in Medicare Advantage and Affordable Care Act insurance. In recent months, Grace and her team have been focused on the changing regulations surrounding broker commissions and marketing requirements.
Kevin Truebenbach
Agency Owner
Transition Health Benefits
Kevin has been providing education on Individual Insurance, Dental, Life, Medicare Supplement, and Medicare Advantage plans since 1999. He provides seminars and webinars throughout the year, open to clients and anyone interested in learning about healthcare coverage solutions. He is a seasoned broker dedicated to ensuring all clients receive the quality care and coverage they deserve at a price they can afford. Kevin is a graduate of Winona State University. Outside of the office, he enjoys golf, camping, riding his Harley, and enjoying the outdoors. He is married to Carrie who is a Physical Therapist and has 2 wonderful kids, Ty & Talia.
Scott Truka
Chief Sales Officer
Brokers International
As Brokers International’s Chief Sales Officer, Scott Truka leads an experienced Sales Team with his passion for helping agency partners grow their business. Scott has spent his career building strong relationships in the fixed annuity and life insurance FMO space and is dedicated to developing agencies and their financial professionals. At Brokers International, Scott drives a best-in-class agency sales team leveraging industry-leading marketing, sales, and training programs, including case design strategies, and data driven solutions that bring agencies consistent value, new opportunities, and proven growth strategies. Scott continues to partner with health focused agencies seeking to expand their offerings into the retirement income planning marketplace using fixed annuities and life insurance strategies. Leveraging sales data and focusing efforts, Scott is leading the industry with his experience in how to successfully build an agency. When he’s not working, he enjoys golfing, hunting and spending time with his family.
Teddy Truong
CEO
Scale Up Media Agency
As the CEO of Scale Up Media Agency and SeniorQuote Insurance Services, I bring over 12 years of expertise in customer acquisition and marketing innovation. Throughout my career, I've witnessed and adapted to the ever-evolving landscape of the marketing industry. In the past three years, I have focused my efforts on the senior insurance market, driven by a commitment to enhancing both the client and agent experience. In 2024, I acquired SeniorQuote Insurance Services, a move that reflects my passion for serving seniors seeking personalized advice for Medicare Advantage plans. Together, our companies employ a dedicated team of over 50 professionals, all striving to streamline and elevate the Medicare Advantage experience. My mission is to combine data-driven strategies with a client-first approach to reshape how seniors and agents navigate the complexities of healthcare and insurance.
Kristen Valdes
CEO & Founder
B.well Connected Health
Kristen Valdes, founder, and CEO of b.well Connected Health has dedicated her career to empowering consumers with the data and tools to take control of their health care journey. An award-winning leader and acknowledged visionary, Valdes has pioneered inventive solutions that are pushing the industry forward into the consumer-directed future of digital health. Prior to founding b.well in 2015, Valdes was an executive at UnitedHealthcare running Medicare Advantage plans across 12 states. Before that, she helped to build XLHealth, one of the pioneering Medicare Advantage plans for the chronically ill, which was acquired by UnitedHealthcare for $2.4 billion. Valdes is a board member of the CARIN Alliance—a non-partisan multi-stakeholder collaborative helping to enable consumers to access their health information with less friction—and serves as a mentor for women entrepreneurs as well as on several company boards as an Advisor.
Dustin VanDuine
Director Of Strategic Relations
Rick Young Insurance
Dustin VanDuine began his career in 2006 with New York Life, excelling in life and annuities before transitioning to management in the Michigan market. In 2013, he moved to healthcare, joining HAP, where he transformed Medicare sales through agent relationships and FMO partnerships, growing annual sales from 2,000 to over 10,000 policies. In 2023, Dustin became head of Michigan FMO Rick Young Insurance Services, expanding it from 200 to over 1,000 agents. Renowned for innovative strategies, Dustin's leadership continues to shape success in the Medicare industry.
Vikki Vilcek
Leader Of Medicare Market Development
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of North Carolina
Vikki Vilcek is a strategic healthcare leader with extensive experience in market development, Medicare engagement, and business growth. With a proven track record in acquisition and retention strategy and multi-million-dollar budget oversight, she drives impactful healthcare initiatives that enhance customer experience. A Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Vikki blends data-driven insights with innovative approaches to optimize sales and retention. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Duke University and is committed to advancing quality-driven, innovative customer strategies in an evolving industry landscape.
Todd Villeneuve
Managing Partner
IFC National Marketing
Since co-founding IFC National Marketing in 2003, Todd Villeneuve has been a driving force behind the company’s growth and position as the fastest-growing insurance marketing organization in the Midwest. Today, as Managing Partner of IFC, Todd nurtures a team of 40 insurance professionals who provide high-touch, personalized service and expertise to help nearly 5,000 agents and advisors who contract with IFC achieve their dreams and live their best lives. Todd is actively involved in national and regional insurance and financial services organizations, and he exemplifies the spirit of philanthropy both professionally and personally. Todd currently serves as board chair for the NAILBA Charitable Foundation, and in 2023, Todd and the team at IFC National Marketing helped Minnesota organizations secure more than $75 thousand in grant donations from the NAILBA grants. In Minnesota, Todd has been a long-time supporter of community organizations across the state, while inspiring a spirit of giving among his employees. As a team, IFC provided more than 400 hours of volunteer support to Minnesota nonprofits in 2023.
Craig Villwock
Owner & Founder
TLC Insurance Group And Wealth
Craig Villwock has had a career in the insurance business since 1997 and is very experienced in sales and training on
individual, union, employer and group Medicare markets. Craig is a highly regarded and nationally recognized
Medicare and retirement planning specialist. Craig is the Co-Owner of TLC Insurance Group and Wealth, Inc., a national NMA/FMO for Medicare brokers. TLC Insurance Group is co-owned and managed by Craig and his twin brother, Chris. Craig has been awarded many top industry honors in his career and has helped grow TLC Insurance Group into one of the largest producing Medicare agencies in the country. Craig has become known as the innovator of “Mass Medicare Marketing”, which fills the un-serviced needs of many employers and provides unique Medicare sales and marketing opportunities to brokers. Because of this niche market experience, Craig has become a requested speaker for national employer and union conventions. Craig has helped TLC attain many exclusive contracts with national unions and employers to manage and service their retirees.
Bret Voith
Chief Strategy Officer
NCD
Bret is a healthcare entrepreneur committed to improving health outcomes for seniors, with a focus on improving payer-provider collaboration. As the founder of Tenure Health, Bret has led the creation of the first value-based Medicare Supplement plan, which is set to go-live in Texas in Q3 2023. Prior to starting Tenure Health, Bret most recently helped build Bright Health from pre-launch to serving over one million consumers, leading numerous business functions and overseeing more than twenty successful new market launches.
Adam Wallace
Director
Instacart Health
Adam Wallace is a Director of Health, the company’s initiative to increase nutrition security, inspire healthy choices and scale food as medicine programs. In his role, Adam works with health plans to build and expand food access, nutrition security and food as health programs that drive improved clinical outcomes and engagement using Instacart Health technology. He also spearheads Instacart's supplemental benefit card payment partnerships and integrations. As one of Instacart’s first dedicated health leaders, Adam joined the company following more than two decades of experience in healthcare.
Victor Wang
Co-Founder
Friendi.fi
Victor is Co-Founder of Friendi.fi and Founder/Chairman of care.coach. He served as an officer in the Canadian military and completed his Master's in robotics and human-machine interaction at MIT. Victor's been principal investigator on several large NIH awards focused on digital health and AI solutions to improve the care of older adults and people with complex health conditions or disabilities. Victor co-founded Friendi.fi in 2024 with $10+ million in funding commitments to enable everyone to have at least one healthy relationship. Friendi.fi trains and serves proprietary conversational AI models that build health-improving friendships with older adults and autistic young adults.
Jeremy Weiser
CEO
Nuvo Health
Jeremy Weiser is the Chief Executive Officer of Nuvo Health, which owns and operates the brands PlanFit, The Medicare Store, and The Medicare Hub. As a leader in the insurance industry for the past 10 years, he has developed a deep understanding of the industry and works tirelessly to educate others about their options and benefits. Under Jeremy’s leadership, Nuvo Health has helped over 60,000 clients, expanded into states such as New Mexico and Texas, and placed policies in all 50 states. The agency is recognized as the number one rated in Nevada, with over 3,500 five-star Google reviews.
Chad Wells
Chief Marketing Officer
Physicians Mutual
Chad J. Wells, Chief Marketing Officer, leads the design and distribution of Physicians Mutual’s health, life and retirement portfolios. Mr. Wells enjoys sharing his unique perspective in helping people navigate Medicare and insurance in retirement, rooted from extensive leadership in health, life and benefits industries at such companies as UnitedHealthcare (UHC), Blue Cross Blue Shield and Combined, a Chubb company. Mr. Wells brings a deep understanding of insurance and agency distribution to his role, and was instrumental in launching UHC’s Medicare Store™ strategy and its community-based retail and agency support initiatives. He brings a passion to helping people and partnering with those who serve the same. Connect with Chad at linkedin.com/in/chad-j-wells.
Joe Welu
CEO & Founder
Total Expert
Joe Welu is the founder and CEO of Total Expert, the fintech software leader that launched the first customer experience platform purpose-built for modern financial institutions. Since 2012, Joe has led Total Expert’s vision, culture, and growth to more than 200 employees today. The company powers CRM, marketing, and customer engagement for more than 200 financial institutions—from leading community banks and credit unions to 15 of the top 25 U.S. banks and lenders. Total Expert’s growth has skyrocketed since its inception, being named the #1 CRM platform by STRATMOR Group and earning top spots on the Inc. 5000 and HousingWire Tech100.
John W. Wheeler, Jr.
Executive Senior Partner
Totus Wealth Management
As Agency Executive Senior Partner of Totus Wealth Management, LLC., John is a registered principal and financial advisor with Cetera Advisors LLC. With an extensive background in the financial services industry dating back to 1969, John supports the firm through seminars, advanced joint sales work, recruiting and the development of our financial planning endeavor. He is a Certified Financial PlannerTM Practitioner, and has earned the Chartered Life Underwriter, Chartered Financial Consultant, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor, Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, Certified Plan Fiduciary Advisor, LACP® and, CLTC® designations. A well-known speaker in the financial services industry and various Bar Associations, he has been quoted in such publications as Money Magazine, Life Insurance Selling, The National Underwriter, Insurance News Net, and The Journal of Financial Planning. He served on the faculty of the College for Financial Planning and has taught various Certification programs including the CRPC® and the CFP®. He is one of only a few people in the United States currently teaching the entire CFP® certification program, which he has been teaching since 1985. He was chosen as one of five individuals by the College to serve on the Adjunct Faculty Advisory Board. He has also taught for DePaul University for the Office of Continuing and Professional Education and has been a frequent lecturer for The Insurance Sales Institute at Purdue University. He served two terms as President of the DuPage Area Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, has served on the board since 1990, and currently serves as National Committeeman for NAIFA Chicagoland.
Sam Wiener
EVP Of Growth
Spark Advisors
Sam Wiener is the Executive Vice President of Growth at Spark, the first tech-enabled NMA that leverages modern tools and services to take Medicare agencies to the next level. At Spark, Sam is responsible for leading our Enterprise Sales and Carrier Relations teams and focused on building partnerships with the top Medicare agencies and carriers at a national level.
Kegan Williams
Chief Marketing Officer
Blue Zones Health
Kegan has dedicated nearly 20 years to transforming healthcare, beginning his career by supporting thousands of clinicians as they transitioned from paper charting to digital documentation. As a serial entrepreneur, he has co-founded multiple healthcare companies, with a focus on enhancing patient engagement and experience for Medicare beneficiaries. In his most recent role, Kegan leads expansion efforts and commercial development at Blue Zones Health, working to bring its mission to communities across the country. Passionate about the power of preventative health, he is committed to raising awareness of Blue Zones as medicine and improving well-being nationwide.
John Winner
CEO
Kizen
John is the CEO of Kizen, the first generative AI enterprise application builder. Kizen is on a mission to build technology that enables an increasingly fulfilling future for humanity. Recognized globally as a thought leader in AI/ML, leveraging data, and automation to drive better enterprise outcomes and experiences, John brings over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology and humanity. He has founded 6 companies and worked extensively in healthcare, insurance, and banking, shaping innovative solutions that transform industries. Before Kizen, John served as a management consultant for Fortune 500 companies and high-growth organizations, helping them navigate complex challenges and achieve lasting success.
James Wong
Founder
The Founder's Chair
James Wong is the visionary founder of The Founder’s Chair. With over two decades in the financial services industry, specializing in insurance and technology distribution, James has been an entrepreneurial force. His track record of successful startups and expertise in mergers and acquisitions sets him apart from other consultative providers. Renowned for building strong connections, James empowers his clients with his profound insights into insurance distribution. Founders seeking to occupy The Founder’s Chair and funders looking for lucrative opportunities to invest and mentor will find James a trusted ally on their journey to growth and success.
Ty Wooldridge
President
Aetna Health & Life Lnsurance
Ty leads the CVS Health/Aetna Medicare Supplement and Ancillary businesses located in Franklin, Tennessee. Under his leadership, annual revenues have grown from less than $300 million in 2011 to over $3 billion today, placing Aetna among the top carriers in the space. Ty became President of Continental Life in August 2010 and led the sale of that business from Genworth Financial to Aetna in October 2011. Ty is a recovering actuary with 40 years of insurance experience. His most significant roles included Chief Actuarial positions for General Electric and its Genworth Financial spinoff for Long-Term Care insurance (2002-2005) and Insurance Product Pricing (2006-2010). Prior to that, he held senior leadership roles at various times in Life Insurance valuation, Structured Settlement pricing, Annuity valuation, Cashflow Testing, and Mergers & Acquisitions for First Colony Life Insurance Company and General Electric (GE Capital). Over the years, Ty has been a frequent speaker in both the actuarial and distribution communities from the Medicare Supplement and Long-Term Care industries, including international forums in London, Madrid, Paris, and Beijing.
Daniel Wray
VP Of Brokerage Sales
Allstate Health Solutions
With a career spanning over 20 years uniquely focused on the individual health insurance market, I have built teams that have recruited in excess off 75,000 independent agents and generated well over $3billion dollars in Annualized Issued Premiums in individual major medical, short-term medical, fixed benefit medical and supplemental lines of business. Growing up in the UK I have a passion for figuring out the ‘perfect’ healthcare system. Alas, this journey continues..!
Joanna Wyckoff
FMO Principal
Topflight Insurance Solutions
Joanna Wyckoff is a multifaceted professional with a diverse background in the insurance industry and government. As a former Social Security Administration employee turned subject matter expert, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her roles. Notably, as Co-Founder of the Facebook Group "Medicare Mentors Media" and Founder of "The Insurance Ladies," Joanna is dedicated to empowering agents nationwide. Her leadership extends to her role as FMO Principal of Topflight Insurance Solutions and as a cofounder of the podcast "The Insurance Business Babes." Additionally, as Lead Instructor of "Medicare Mentors Pro+ University," she passionately mentors agents in realizing their entrepreneurial dreams.
Amanda Yoho
CEO
Proformex
Dr. Amanda Yoho is the President of Proformex, the leading solution for proactively managing protection assets. Since joining in 2020, she has driven the company’s strategic growth while leading teams in building a scalable data platform and expanding proprietary analytics to provide customers with deeper business insights. Prior to Proformex, Amanda was Director of Research Informatics at IBM Watson Health, leading efforts to curate and analyze the largest clinical dataset for commercial research. She holds a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Case Western Reserve University, where her research focused on detecting anomalies in cosmological data through simulations of the early Universe.
Max Zamkow
Managing Partner
Third Act Ventures
Max Zamkow is the Managing Partner of Third Act Ventures, an Agetech-specific venture firm where he invests in founders working to change the way we age. He also serves as the Editor-in-chief of Agetech News, which reports on fundings, exits, and opportunities in Agetech. With his focus on later life, Max is able to support and empower visionary entrepreneurs to accelerate the pace of innovation in aging. Max is also involved with Aging2.0, supporting their global network Agetech ecosystem.
Vivek Zaveri is the Founder & CEO at Mantra Digital, Meera.ai, and Legal Growth Marketing. With more than a decade of experience in lead generation, paid search, social media, and business — he built Venture Direct Worldwide's search division into a $12 million business in only 3 years and transformed XL Marketing's (now Zeta) higher education department into a $30 million lead generation business in half that time. His strong eye for innovation and his unwavering entrepreneurial spirit serve as the catalyst for his next big venture: Meera.ai — an AI-powered texting platform pioneering the next generation of sales automation.
