Natasha Alexeeva is a product and technology leader with deep expertise at the intersection of insurance and AI. She has spent over a decade building and scaling complex platforms, leading high-impact teams at companies including Visa, Kaiser Permanente, and Amazon. For the past six years, Natasha has focused on designing and delivering AI-powered solutions for insurers and brokers, helping modernize underwriting, distribution, and operations. She is known for pairing strong technical judgment with a sharp understanding of regulated industries, turning emerging technology into practical, revenue-driving products that actually work in the real world.
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.
Jason Andrew
COO
Saidi
Jason T. Andrew is COO of Saidi, a next-generation Medicare content and training platform built to modernize how agents engage in the Medicare eco-system. A 25-year insurtech veteran, Jason previously co-founded Limelight Health, which sold to FINEOS in 2020. He also serves as CRO of Navwise, recent first-place winner out of 188 applicants at InsurTech NY 2026, and founded Zoë Foundry, the venture studio behind both companies. Recognized as a top 50 insurtech influencer and EY Entrepreneur of the Year nominee, Jason is based in Portland, Oregon.
Allison Arzeno
CEO
Onyx Platform
Allison Arzeno is the CEO and Co-Founder of Onyx Platform, combining CRM, dialer, and AI into a single platform for telephonic insurance agencies. Previously, she served as CEO of Assurance IQ, a direct-to-consumer insurance platform acquired by Prudential Financial, where she led the company through rapid growth in health, life, and Medicare distribution. A data-scientist-turned-operator with a PhD from MIT, Allison has spent most of her career applying technology to make insurance work better for agents and consumers alike.
David Baer
President
Nomo Smart Care
David Baer is an accomplished business leader and award-winning attorney with expertise in corporate and business law. Known for strategic vision and leadership, he excels in entrepreneurial settings. As President of Nomo Smart Care, David leads the company in developing and marketing innovative, privacy-first AI solutions for elderly monitoring and remote caregiving, empowering independent living and providing peace of mind to families. With experience as an attorney at Stinson, COO and General Counsel for two diverse holding companies, and an owner of successful businesses, he leverages his MBA to tackle complex challenges. Recognized as a Minnesota Rising Star by Minnesota Law and Politics and one of Minnesota Lawyer's 15 Attorneys of the Year, he is adept at driving results and building strategic relationships.
Calvin Bagley
Founder & President
Nuvo Health & The Medicare Store
Calvin Bagley is the founder of Nuvo Health, a national Field Marketing Organization that has facilitated over 75,000 enrollments. A respected industry advocate, Calvin has met with CMS multiple times and engaged with more than a dozen members of Congress on Medicare policy. He authored a comprehensive response to the CMS 2027 Final Rule and is a sought-after speaker on industry reform. Calvin is also an Amazon bestselling author of Hiding from the School Bus, a memoir about overcoming childhood adversity. He lives in Las Vegas with his wife and two children, and has traveled to all 50 states and seven continents.
Bobby Bakhshandeh
CEO | National Medicare Distribution | Advocate For Compliance & Beneficiary Protection
Advantage Plus Insurance Agency
Bobby Bakhshandeh is the CEO of Advantage Plus Insurance Agency, a national FMO specializing in Medicare, life insurance, annuities, and final expense. Since 2008, Bobby has been actively involved in both personal production and agency leadership, with a focus on scalable growth, agent development, and compliance-driven operations. His organization is built on a foundation of technology, training, and support, including a white-labeled CRM platform and a nationwide agent infrastructure. Bobby is also an advocate for policy improvements within the Medicare space, working to enhance the member experience, protect agent of record integrity, and promote long-term industry sustainability.
Renée Balcom
CEO & Founder
Scroll.care
Renee Balcom is the Founder & CEO of Scroll.care, Inc., a technology-driven marketplace redefining how families access care services across the continuum—from Medicare navigation to home care, advocacy, and beyond. With a background in distribution strategy and broker partnerships, she launched Scroll.care to bridge the widening gap between insurance enrollment and real-world care coordination. Her work centers on integrating AgeTech with human-centered service, empowering brokers to expand their value while ensuring families receive vetted, trusted support. Renee is a bold advocate for modernizing care access and believes technology should enhance—not replace—the humanity at the heart of healthcare.
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.
Annette Bechtold
Leadership Advisor & Growth Consultant
HRA Council
Annette Bechtold, PCC, CPLC, REBC, ChHC, CIC, is a leadership and executive coach, consultant, and founder of Forte Consulting Atlanta. With over 40 years in the insurance industry, she brings deep expertise in operations, compliance, and benefits strategy. Annette has held numerous local, state, and national leadership roles with NABIP and continues to serve on key industry boards and councils. She partners with employers, insurance professionals, and organizations to grow leadership capacity, engage teams, and align performance with purpose. A nationally recognized advocate and speaker, Annette has been honored with NABIP’s highest awards. Fun fact: Her first job was supporting an independent agent at age 15 — and she’s been helping others thrive ever since.
Ori Ben-Yishai
Partner
Viewpoint Ventures
Ori Ben-Yishai is a Partner at Viewpoint Ventures, where he serves on the Investment Committee and leads the firm’s strategic insurance relationships. He spent 15 years in senior operating, marketing, and strategy roles at major carriers, including Global Chief Marketing Officer at Chubb and Chief Operating Officer of the Group Retirement division at AXA Equitable. Earlier in his career, Ori was an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, a corporate and M&A attorney, and the founder and CEO of an eCommerce startup.
Gregory Berger
Partner
Oliver Wyman
Greg is a Partner in Oliver Wyman’s Health and Life Sciences practice, within the government programs franchise (Medicare, Medicaid and ACA). His expertise is primarily around driving end-to-end P&L management for Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drug Plan (PDPs), Special Needs Plans (SNPs), and Medicare Supplement plans. Greg’s work is primarily for health plans to drive top-line growth for via key performance levers such as product / portfolio design, sales & marketing, risk adjustment, and Stars. He also has extensive experience in cost management approaches, including network design, payer-provider partnerships and clinical strategies. Greg lives in New York City, and holds an MBA in Health Care Management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, and a B.A. from Dartmouth College.
Mark Bertolini
CEO
Oscar Health
Mark T. Bertolini is Chief Executive Officer of Oscar Health, a leading healthcare technology company. He is a national healthcare thought leader who has transformed the industry through innovation, accessibility, and affordability. Mark is former Co-CEO of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund. Previously, he was Chairman and CEO of Aetna, where he led its transformation into a consumer-focused, integrated healthcare company. Following CVS Health’s acquisition of Aetna, he served as Director of CVS Health Corporation. He is Chairman of Verizon’s Board of Directors and serves on the boards of Thrive Global and the FIDELCO Guide Dog Foundation.
Curt Black
CEO
Aproove
Curt is the CEO of Aproove, a platform that helps Medicare organizations streamline how marketing communications are created, reviewed for compliance, and approved. Under his leadership, Aproove focuses on automating collaboration through configurable workflows and accelerating approvals process with AI—while maintaining full HIPAA security, content gating, and complete auditability. Aproove reduces manual effort, validates communications against CMS requirements, and ensures every asset moves through a secure, trackable review process. Curt is passionate about giving Marketing and Product teams meaningful time back so they can focus on higher-value work while improving compliance accuracy across their organizations.
Pete Blasi
CEO
My Senior Healthplan
Michael Blea
Chief Growth Officer
SCAN Health Plan
As Chief Growth Officer for SCAN health plan, Michael Blea leads sales strategies across all markets and distribution channels. Throughout his 25-year career in leading successful growth and expansion initiatives, Michael has motivated sales teams at organizations including United HealthCare/Secure Horizons, Alignment Healthcare and Golden Outlook to achieve goals in highly competitive markets. Most recently, at Golden Outlook Michael was instrumental in market expansion and broker recruitment and engagement.
Isaac Bledsoe
Director Of Strategic Projects & Initiatives
U.S. Department Of Health And Human Services
Isaac M. Bledsoe is Special Agent in Charge of HHS-OIG's Miami Field Office. Beginning his law enforcement career nearly 20 years ago with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, he reached Captain before joining HHS-OIG's Tampa Field Office in 2010, leading investigations yielding approximately $1 billion in recoveries and over 190 years of sentences. At OIG Headquarters, he directed Strategic Projects and Initiatives, overseeing DOJ Strike Force Operations, Medicare Part C, and Refugee Resettlement programs.
Isaac is a graduate of OI's Leadership Development Program and recipient of numerous awards including the Inspector General's Bronze Medal. He holds a Bachelor's in Criminology from Florida State University and Master's in Family, Youth & Community Sciences from the University of Florida.
Jonathan Bodwell
Owner
Bodwell Insurance Solutions
Jonathan Bodwell, an Integrity Partner is President and founder of Bodwell Insurance Solutions headquartered in Martinsburg,WV. Jonathan leads a large team of independent agents, teaching them how to successfully grow insurance agencies organically. He works with them on a grass roots marketing approach centered around community outreach and involvement. He teaches them to build referral partners and how to brand themselves to become the go to person in their communities. Jonathan trains them to ask the questions that lead to cross selling opportunities. His agents are prepared to help their clients in Medicare, ancillary products as well as life and annuities. The key is to help the clients with all of their needs to have the best outcomes for the client and the agents themselves by creating more business and long term client retention.
Lee Bossio
CEO
MPA
Lee Bossio is the Founder and CEO of MPA, a 50-state, AI-powered insurance distribution platform built to give independent agencies the technology, marketing, and operational infrastructure to compete at enterprise scale. Lee is a serial entrepreneur whose career sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, consumer technology, and insurance at scale. He co-founded SayHi, a voice translation app that reached tens of millions of users and became the #1 paid app in over 150 countries before being acquired by Amazon. He spent over three years at Amazon as Head of Product, then joined EverQuote (Nasdaq: EVER) as EVP of Insurance Data & Product Services, leading the company's AI-driven insurance products. Following EverQuote, Lee served as Entrepreneur in Residence at AdirVentures, a venture capital firm focused on technology-enabled insurance businesses, where he helped shape the thesis that became MPA. Today, Lee focuses on applying AI, automation, and modern consumer experience design to insurance distribution — with the belief that technology should make independent professionals more competitive, not replace them. Following MPA's merger with Healthy Labs, he is leading the combined company's efforts to modernize how insurance is marketed, sold, and serviced. Under his leadership, MPA has completed strategic acquisitions, launched its proprietary MPA AI platform, and is building multi-vertical distribution spanning Medicare, life, ancillary, and more. Lee also serves as CEO of Correlated Capital, an R&D-focused AI hedge fund.
Diane Boyle
SVP, Government Relations
NAIFA
Diane R. Boyle is the senior vice president of government relations for the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. Her responsibilities include developing and implementing NAIFA's comprehensive state, interstate, and federal legislative and regulatory strategies and daily executing association activities to provide advocacy services for insurance and financial professionals to support a private, competitive insurance marketplace. She serves as NAIFA’s chief federal lobbyist specializing in tax legislation focused on life and health insurance products, workplace benefits, pensions, and small business issues. Boyle is a proud Capitol-level contributor to IFAPAC and works closely with the political affairs team to develop strategies and programs to maximize NAIFA’s grassroots efforts around the country.
Jeremy Boz
Partner & SVP Of Broker Development
Tyler Insurance Group
Jeremy Boz is Partner and Senior Vice President of Broker Development at Tyler Insurance Group. He leads broker growth, training, and carrier partnerships with a simple focus: serving clients and helping them find the right Medicare coverage. Under his leadership, TIG operates in 50 states and supports over 300 producing brokers, delivering thousands of new enrollments each year with industry-leading retention. Jeremy holds a B.S. in Marketing from SUNY Old Westbury and an MBA in Marketing from UNLV. He and his wife, Luciana, live in Las Vegas with their two children.
Susan Bratton
CEO & Founder
Savor Health
Susan Bratton is Founder and CEO of Savor Health and a veteran healthcare, insurance, and finance executive. After nearly two decades on Wall Street advising healthcare companies on mergers, capital raising, and restructuring, she launched Savor Health following the loss of a friend to glioblastoma. Her company delivers AI-driven precision nutrition that personalizes guidance and improves outcomes for people with chronic disease, working with leading cancer centers, insurers, and pharmaceutical companies. A published researcher, cookbook author, and award-winning innovator, Bratton advocates making nutrition a standard of care through evidence, accessibility, and measurable impact. She speaks globally on food as medicine.
Tommy Brazie
Sr. Director & Account Executive, Customer Success
Anna, LLC
Tommy Brazie is an award-winning Account Executive and Senior Director of Customer Success at Anna®, an AI-powered conversational intelligence platform. A polyglot with a background spanning diplomacy, education, and enterprise SaaS leadership, he specializes in translating complex behavioral data into measurable business outcomes. Tommy partners with executives to drive compliance automation, sales enablement, and frontline performance through practical AI applications. His work focuses on helping organizations reduce risk, improve coaching effectiveness, and increase revenue through scalable, behavior-driven insights that align people, process, and technology for sustained operational excellence.
James Brenneis
Owner
Trinity Insurance Partners
I work with life and health agents nationwide, empowering them to cross-sell from a focused insurance foundation. My primary mission is helping health-focused agents and agencies confidently offer life and annuity products to their existing clients. As an active agent licensed since 2005, I stay closely connected to real client needs. I began in life insurance, expanded into health products in 2020, and now bridge both worlds to help agents serve seniors more effectively. I leverage technology and systematic processes to scale impact and encourage agents to step beyond their comfort zones to grow.
Amanda Brewton
Owner
Medicare Answers Now
Amanda Brewton is the founder of Medicare Answers Now, a national FMO supporting over 350 agents. With 18+ years in the Medicare industry, she focuses on strategic growth, compliance, and real-world education—without relying on recruitment tactics. Amanda serves on NABIP’s Medicare Advisory Group, contributed to the Medicare & You handbook, and leads national events including Ms. Medicare, Medicare & Margaritas, and is the Creative Director for the Agent Symposium at Medicarians. She has also been recognized as Educator of the Year and 2025 Momentum Maker, she is committed to raising industry standards and equipping agents to serve with integrity, clarity, and purpose.
Justin Brock
CEO & Founder
Brock
Justin Brock is a transformative figure in the Medicare and health insurance industry, known for his expertise, innovation, and commitment to helping both consumers and agents navigate the complex world of insurance. From a start in 2014, after nearly a decade in the Marine Corps, Justin quickly recognized the immense opportunity to improve how Medicare is marketed and delivered. With a unique mix of grit and creativity, he scaled BROCK into a nationally recognized Agency and FMO, helping over 150,000 Medicare customers in 202 and earning a spot on the Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing companies.
Josh 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 15 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. As Chair 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.
John Brooks
Deputy Administrator & Chief Policy And Regulatory Officer
Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
John Brooks is a Deputy Administrator and the Chief Policy and Regulatory Officer for CMS. He was most recently a founder and partner at South Capitol, a health policy research and consulting firm. Prior to that, John held multiple senior health executive positions across the Executive Branch, including Senior Advisor for Drug Pricing Reform to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Principal Deputy Director of the Center for Medicare at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Counselor to the HHS Secretary for Health Policy, and Health Policy Advisor at the White House Domestic Policy Council. John also led the HHS Landing Team, which coordinated the transition between administrations with respect to the Department of Health & Human Services. Prior to government service, John led the Health Policy Department at the MITRE Corporation, providing policy advice and regulatory support to federal health agencies, including CMS, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. John holds a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and an MBA from Virginia Tech.
Tim Brousseau
SVP
Connexion Point (Integrity)
Tim Brousseau has over 20 years of health insurance sales, marketing and product experience. Tim’s health care career includes stops at a large, national carrier, a local Blue-plan, and 8+ years at Deft Research. He is currently a Managing Partner at Integrity and leading strategic and revenue growth for the health insurance focused BPO, Connexion Point. Tim brings industry knowledge and firsthand experiences to the table for all health insurance lines of business.
Jessica Brown
SVP, Marketing
AgentSync Inc.
Jessica Brown is Senior Vice President of Marketing at AgentSync, a leading insurtech company transforming how the insurance industry manages the agent experience through regulatory compliance and agent licensing. In her role, Jessica leads brand, demand generation, and market strategy, helping AgentSync scale its impact across carriers, agencies, and brokerages nationwide. With deep experience in B2B SaaS and insurtech, Jessica drives innovative go-to-market programs that illuminate how modern compliance and operations platforms reduce friction, improve efficiency, and accelerate growth for industry stakeholders. Her leadership is rooted in a commitment to customer-centric storytelling, cross-functional collaboration, and empowering teams to thrive. At AgentSync, Jessica champions initiatives that advance transparency, drive community learning, and elevate the role of innovation in insurance. She is a mom to a 9-year-old daughter and 8-year-old dog. You can find her cheering on her Philly sports teams with a passion!
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.
J. Phillip Butts
Director, Product Training & Enablement
SAP
Phillip is the Director of Product for Training and Enablement within SAP’s Sales Performance Management organization. With over 32 years of experience, he has focused on empowering customers and colleagues to develop and optimize processes for greater efficiency and performance. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of South Alabama and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Qiyun Cai
CEO & Co-Founder
Fintary
Qiyun Cai is the Founder and CEO of Fintary, an AI-powered revenue growth platform transforming how insurance companies manage commissions and financial operations. A former founder of an insurance company and Harvard MBA graduate, Qiyun brings deep industry insight to modernize outdated processes and empower insurers to scale with confidence. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to help insurance businesses increase profits, reduce costs, and turn complex commission operations into a growth engine. Through Fintary, she’s helping agencies, brokers, and carriers unlock efficiency, accuracy, and profitability in days—not months.
Caleb Campbell
Head Of Sales
Spark Advisors
Caleb Campbell is a seasoned sales leader with over a decade of experience building and scaling high-performing revenue organizations. As Head of Sales at Spark, a leading Medicare insurance technology company, Caleb is driving the next generation of sales infrastructure to help health plans and FMOs grow more predictably and efficiently. His background spans SaaS, higher education, and real estate technology, with a consistent track record of building teams, entering new markets, and exceeding revenue targets. Caleb brings a builder's mindset to every stage of growth — from zero to scale — and is passionate about transforming how Medicare is sold.
Ricardo Carcas
Assistant Special Agent In Charge
Office Of Investigations, Department Of Health Human Services (HHS)
Ricardo began his law enforcement career in 2008 as a Zone Program Integrity Contractor (ZPIC) investigator, where he focused on strengthening the integrity of federal healthcare programs. In 2010, he transitioned to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Center for Program Integrity (CMS‑CPI) in the Miami Field Office. There, he oversaw Zone 7 ZPIC and Medi‑Medi investigations throughout Florida and Puerto Rico, leading efforts to detect and prevent large‑scale fraud schemes. In 2015, Ricardo joined the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (HHS‑OIG), Office of Investigations, as a Special Agent assigned to the Miami Medicare Fraud Strike Force. He played a key role in complex criminal investigations targeting healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse. Ricardo currently serves as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) for the Miami Regional Office, where he provides leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of major investigative operations.
Mike Cardoso
ACA Training & Development
American Online Benefits Group
Mike is a seasoned ACA professional with experience ranging from grassroots, door-to-door sales to leading national call center operations. As the head of ACA Training & Development at AOBG, he drives agent and agency growth through practical strategy and compliance-focused execution. Known for blending data, AI, and gamification, Mike helps teams adapt, scale, and perform in an evolving market. His approach is direct, results-driven, and grounded in real-world experience.
Briana Cardoza
Chief Business Development Officer
TrueCare
Briana brings 15 years of dedicated experience in the nonprofit healthcare sector and currently oversees the strategic growth and development of multiple branches within TrueCare, a leading Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) serving diverse communities across the region. In her role, she drives initiatives that strengthen TrueCare’s capacity to meet community needs—including through innovative partnerships that expand access, improve care coordination, and advance health equity.
Throughout her tenure, Briana has been instrumental in building strategic alliances, securing sustainable funding, and launching programs that demonstrate the critical role FQHCs play in delivering high-quality, comprehensive care to Medicare & Medicaid populations. Her work is rooted in a deep understanding of community health and a belief that strong partnerships between partner organizations and FQHCs are essential to ensuring equitable, patient-centered care.
Briana leads cross-functional teams with an emphasis on collaboration, operational excellence, and measurable outcomes. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Cornell University and a Master’s in Public Health with a concentration in Community Health from UCLA, and she is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
Cody Carnes
Director Of Sales
Leaping AI
Maria Carrizosa
Director Of Growth, East & FL
The Baldwin Group
Maria Carrizosa is the Director of Growth for Florida and the East Region at The Baldwin Group, where she leads multi-market Medicare brokerage strategy focused on scalable growth, recruiting excellence, and profitability. With over 16 years of industry experience, she builds high-performing teams and growth frameworks that drive measurable results across complex markets.
Heidi Castaneda
AVP Of Small Employer & Individual Products
Select Health
Heidi Castaneda is the Assistant Vice President of Small Employer and Individual Products at Select Health. With 29 years of experience, she leads a team serving nearly 500,000 members across Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Colorado. Heidi focuses on customer service, relationship building, and simplifying healthcare. She believes, "By simplifying healthcare, we pave the way for a future where wellness is within everyone's reach." Passionate about service, Heidi is dedicated to making healthcare accessible and empowering for all. Outside of work, Heidi enjoys gardening, hiking, swimming, and planning Disney trips with her family.
Melinda Caughill
Co-Founder
HeyMoe
Melinda Caughill is a national leader in fee-for-service Medicare strategy and the Co-Founder of 65 Incorporated and the Medicare platforms i65 and HeyMOE. For nearly 15 years, she has built a sustainable Medicare advisory business without selling insurance—working directly with individuals, employers, and fee-only financial advisors who require truly unbiased guidance. Trusted by organizations including PBS and Macmillan Publishing to provide Medicare expertise, Melinda has also been featured in publications like The Wall Street Journal, Consumer Reports, Barron’s and more. As Part D commissions disappear, she is helping professionals rethink revenue—showing how Medicare strategy can become a paid service, not just a product conversation, while candidly addressing the realities of the fee-for-service path.
Johanna Cazares
CGO
Alcar Health
Johanna Cazares is Chief Growth Officer at Alcar Health, where she leads growth strategy and partnerships supporting Federally Qualified Health Centers nationwide. With more than 15 years of experience in healthcare operations and market development, she specializes in Medicare and Medicaid enrollment strategy, contact center optimization, and culturally aligned outreach. Johanna oversees bilingual engagement programs, licensed agent partnerships, and data-driven workflows that improve patient access, retention, and financial sustainability. Known for her human-centered, execution-focused approach, she helps health centers translate complex operational and policy challenges into practical solutions that strengthen care delivery, staff engagement, and community trust.
Jordyne Cerullo
Director, Agency Sales
HealthSherpa
Jordyne Cerullo is a sales leader in the ACA health insurance space, focusing on agency growth, success and retention. She's spent the last five years committed to advancing technology focused on greater access to affordable quality coverage.
Marie-Laure Chandumont
Managing Director
Barclays
Marie-Laure runs Barclays Insurance team, the #1 hedging counterparty to all annuities as per statutory filings. She started her career in 1998, in Investment Banking and moved on to the Trading Floor in 2004. Her expertise revolves around derivatives, hedging, insurance accounting, regulation and the overall retirement ecosystem. She graduated from EDHEC Business School with a dual Major in Corporate Finance and Global Markets and is a Certified Financial PlannerTM
Michael Cho
Founding Partner
Ally Consulting Partners
Michael is the founding Partner of Ally Consulting Partners which helps Medicare health plans and distribution companies grow and retain their membership. Previously, he founded DRX (now ConnectureDRX) and MyMedicareBot (Bought by SunFire) to help modernize and tech-enable independent agents.
Tyrone Clark
CEO & Founder
Brokers Choice Of America
Tyrone Clark is the President and Founder of Brokers’ Choice of America. A seasoned veteran for over 43 years in the insurance business, Tyrone’s massive achievements are startling to say the least. Tyrone began his career at age 17 and eventually became an annuity legend. Tyrone has produced millions in annuities as a producer and conducted television shows, radio shows, and infomercials. He has conducted over 2,000 seminars in 49 states in front of 50,000 retirees and designed over 50 different seminars. Tyrone is responsible for over $15 billion in annuity sales. He has trained over 8,000 agents and continues to do so. The biggest annuity producers have been through Tyrone’s annuity training.
Brandon Clay
Chief Brand Officer
EnrollHere
Brandon Clay is Chief Brand & Industry Officer at EnrollHere, shaping the future of Medicare distribution by connecting carriers, agencies, and brokers through AI-powered infrastructure that drives visibility, compliance, and performance. With more than 30 years in the Medicare industry, Brandon’s experience spans carrier strategy, field distribution, agency growth, and technology innovation. He began his career as an agent and rose to executive leadership roles scaling nationally through multiple growth cycles and acquisitions. He is an author, speaker and recognized thought leader focused on helping agents and agencies succeed and grow in an evolving, technology-driven marketplace.
Jim Codney
Chief Sales Officer
The Annuity Link
Jim Codney began his insurance career in 1999 in a property and casualty call center, where he developed a strong foundation in client service and risk management. After seven years, he transitioned into the health and retirement planning insurance sector, building a diverse résumé as an individual producer, agency owner, and carrier representative. Today, Jim serves as Chief Sales Officer at The Benefit Link in Colleyville, Texas. In this role, he leads sales strategy, organizational growth, and agent development across the company’s core product lines, including annuities, life insurance, Medicare supplement, and ancillary benefits. Known for his commitment to integrity, clarity, and client-first service, Jim continues to guide The Benefit Link toward sustainable expansion while empowering agents to deliver expert, compassionate solutions to the individuals and families they serve.
Jen Cohen-Smith
SVP, Medicare
Healthfirst
Jen Cohen-Smith is a distinguished leader in the health insurance industry, known for building and scaling high-performing Medicare plans. As Senior Vice President of Healthfirst’s Medicare division, she leads strategy, performance, and growth for the organization’s Medicare Advantage portfolio. Since joining in 2021, she has strengthened Healthfirst’s position as the #1 Medicare Advantage plan in the New York Metro area. Today, the plan serves more than 325,000 members across 10 counties, generates over $7 billion in revenue, and has earned consecutive 4.5-star ratings. Previously, Jen held senior leadership roles at Beacon Health Options, UnitedHealth Group, Optum Care, Aetna, and Anthem/WellPoint.
Matthew Cornish
Managing Director
Solomon Partners
Matthew Cornish is a Managing Director in the Financial Institutions Group at Solomon Partners, a leading investment bank. He focuses on Insurance Services, Illiquid Financial Assets, and related sectors. Matt has over 15 years of experience in financial services, having successfully executed a wide variety of transactions across multiple industries and asset classes, including benefits, TPAs, P&C claims, Medicare, ACA, self-funded healthcare, life settlements, tax receivable agreements, capital raising, minority equity, secondaries, and private equity and hedge fund LP interests. Prior to joining Solomon, Matt was a Director in the Financial Services Group & Illiquid Financial Assets Group at Houlihan Lokey. Earlier, he worked at Ernst & Young in the Valuation & Business Modeling practice.
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 19 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.
John Crumbliss
Principal
Cornerstone Government Affairs
John Crumbliss joined Cornerstone Government Affairs in 2004. Since then, John has represented a broad portfolio of clients that include technology companies, institutions of higher education and health care. Leading these clients on a diverse range of issues, he has devised and implemented strategies that have resulted in concrete policy changes and subsequent federal support for the organizations represented. On behalf of Cornerstone and its clients, John has worked extensively with both chambers of Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy, the White House and a number of Democratic governors.
Daniel Cruz
CEO & Co-Founder
Presidio
Daniel Cruz is a nationally recognized Affordable Care Act policy expert and actuary who has helped organizations such as Paragon Health Institute and Texas 2036 shape individual market policies at the national and state level. He founded Presidio HealthCare, the nation's first pro-life, Christian health insurance company to help introduce products that promote life-affirming health care services while directly serving families with affordable options. He currently lives in San Diego, California with his wife and five children.
Jay Csipkes
VP Of Sales And Marketing
American-Amicable Group
Jay is a revenue-focused distribution executive who has successfully scaled multiple insurance companies’ sales results over his 23 year career. Skilled in growing life, health and Medicare distribution, Jay is dedicated to achieving profitable growth and fostering strong team collaboration to meet aggressive growth objectives. In his current role as Vice President of Sales at American-Amicable Life Insurance Company, he has helped orchestrate a 94% increase in sales over the last 4 years through distribution expansion and leveraging the company’s value proposition to agents.
Aaron Davis
Product Director
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 school.
Rebecca Davis
Founder
KannonBall Insurance Solutions
Rebecca Lynn Davis is the Founder & CEO of Kannonball Insurance Solutions LLC based in Stephenville TX. In less than 8 years, her scratch agency spans into 47 states with over 1000 agent partners. She is an Amazon #1 best selling author of 101 Grassroots Marketing Tips & Tricks, co-founder of Club Wiin, a champion of Medicare & ACA/Health Insurance sales. A Mom & Wife to a Navy veteran, Rebecca is not one to sit still. In fact in January she will became the Vice Chair of Medicare for Health Agents For America, where she will be meeting with CMS, Senators and Law Makers on the challenges Seniors and Agents are currently facing everyday in the Medicare and Health Insurance space.
Madeline Deagle
President
Connexion Point
Madeline Deagle currently serves as President of Connexion Point, a BPO in the Healthcare space. With over a decade of experience in performance marketing and insurance technology, she specializes in optimizing telephonic experiences and transforming complex operations into scalable, profitable engines. Madeline is driven by a passion for turning insight into innovation and operational excellence into measurable impact. She's known for building high-performing teams and driving strategic initiatives that align technology, process, and people.
Bob 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!"
Louis DeStefano
CGO
Oscar Health
Louis DeStefano is the Chief Growth Officer at Oscar Health, where he leads the growth organization overseeing the sales and product marketing. He drives growth across ACA marketplace plans, ICHRA solutions, and other coverage offerings, with a focus on delivering individualized health coverage for both government-subsidized consumers and employer-sponsored members. Under his leadership, Oscar has grown from three states and 90,000 members in 2017 to 20 states serving more than 3 million members today. Before joining Oscar, Louis spent 13 years at UnitedHealthcare, where he served as Vice President of Sales. He led initiatives across growth strategy, product development, underwriting, risk management, and alternative distribution. He has also advised healthcare technology startups including Nava, Garner, Invoy, and Budgie.
Ricardo Diaz
Medicare Director
Futuro Insurance
As the Medicare Director at Futuro Insurance, I bring over 16 years of experience as a licensed insurance agent specializing in Medicare solutions. Throughout my career, I have focused on serving the Hispanic community and low-income families, helping clients navigate the complexities of Medicare with clarity, trust, and personalized guidance. Born and raised in the El Paso–Juárez border region, I understand the unique cultural and financial needs of our community. My background allows me to connect with clients on a personal level while providing knowledgeable, ethical, and compassionate service. I hold an MBA in Finance, which strengthens my ability to guide individuals in making informed healthcare and financial decisions that protect their long-term well-being.
Ryan Dietz
Manager, Competitive Intelligence
F&G
Ryan Dietz is the Manager of Competitive Intelligence at F&G. He has been in the industry for 15 years with varying roles between Sales, Marketing, Operations and Product. His current focus is supporting Annuity product and distribution strategy with a passion around product portfolio management and innovation in the retirement space.
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.
Neka Doe-White
CEO
The Possibilities Group
Neka Doe White is a Medicare Agency Owner, Speaker, and U.S. Army Veteran ranked among the nation’s top Medicare-producing agents. Known for her direct approach to Medicare education, she focuses on helping seniors and agents navigate the system with clarity and confidence. Neka advocates for transparency in plan marketing, responsible enrollment practices, and stronger consumer education. Her mission is simple: when people truly understand their coverage, they make better decisions about their health, finances, and future.
Dr. Romelyn Dones
Senior Director Of Medicare, MLTC And MAP Sales
MetroPlus Health
Romelyn Dones brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and insurance sectors, distinguished by her exceptional leadership and strategic expertise. As Director of Medicare Sales at MetroPlusHealth, she drove a 20% increase in sales, expanding access to essential healthcare services. She also served on MetroPlusHealth’s Medicare Town Hall panel, where she provided valuable guidance to the community—helping seniors better understand Medicare and navigate their benefits. Romelyn is recognized for her strengths in strategic sales planning, market expansion, and customer relationship building while fostering high-performing teams. Before joining MetroPlusHealth, she advanced community education and engagement at Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, implementing strategies to raise awareness of healthcare options. At HealthFirst, her leadership significantly increased Medicaid enrollment, ensuring more low-income individuals and families gained coverage. She holds a Bachelor of Science from St. John’s University, a Master of Public Administration from Rutgers University, and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Health Sciences at Seton Hall University. She resides in New Jersey and is a proud mother of three.
Alex Doonanco
Co-Founder & CEO
CareCycle
Alex Doonanco is co-founder and CEO of careCycle, the AI-native retention operating system for Medicare and ACA agencies. As agencies lose 20-40% of members annually while agents waste hours on non-revenue work, Alex built careCycle to turn retention from cost center into revenue driver. His platform has automated over 4 million member conversations, helping agencies keep 10%+ more members while freeing agents to focus on production. With expertise in Medicare compliance and AI, careCycle delivers a unified phone system, CRM, and voice AI workspace where human and AI agents collaborate seamlessly—backed by Y Combinator and trusted by leading distributors.
Paul Dornier
CEO & Co-Founder
Alpharun
Paul Dornier is the CEO and co-founder of Alpharun, an AI sales coaching platform that helps Medicare brokerages make every agent their best agent. Alpharun analyzes 100% of calls to identify what top performers do differently and deliver personalized coaching that lifts every agent's enrollment rates. Previously, Paul co-founded Meetingbird, a Y Combinator-backed scheduling platform acquired by Front, where he spent four years leading the product team. Paul holds a B.S.E. in Computer Science from Princeton University and is based in San Francisco.
Henry Dornier
President & Co-Founder
Alpharun
Henry Dornier is the President and co-founder of Alpharun, an AI sales coaching platform that helps Medicare brokerages make every agent their best agent. Alpharun analyzes 100% of calls to identify what top performers do differently and deliver personalized coaching that lifts every agent's enrollment rates. Before Alpharun, Henry co-founded Meetingbird, a Y Combinator-backed scheduling platform acquired by Front, where he went on to serve as General Manager. Henry studied Computer Science at Harvard and is based in San Francisco.
Aimee Downes Papierniak
Broker Operations Technical Analyst
Medica
Terry Dry
Co-Founder & CEO
The Smarter Service
Terry Dry is an entrepreneur, marketer, and advisor with over 25 years of experience building and transforming companies. He is the co-founder and CEO of The Smarter Service, a technology concierge provider supporting older adults and senior living communities with personalized tech support. Terry is also the founder of Future Proof Advisors, where he works with mid-market businesses to overcome growth barriers. His track record includes successful exits of RSVD, a SaaS company acquired by CLEAR, and Fanscape, an early social media agency acquired by Omnicom. Terry has spoken at CES, the What’s Next Longevity Innovation Summit, Mirren Live, and WOMMA.
Jessica Dunn
National Director
Care Planning Connect
Jessica Dunn is the National Director of Care Planning Connect, where she leads the development of referral partnerships that bridge Medicare planning and holistic financial planning. She works closely with Medicare agents across the country to help them extend the value of their client conversations beyond enrollment, into estate, income, and long-term care planning. With a practical, agent-first approach, Jessica focuses on simple handoffs, compliant workflows, and trust-based collaboration that benefits both advisors and families. She brings a field-tested perspective on how Medicare professionals can deepen client relationships, unlock new revenue opportunities, and confidently transition Medicare conversations into comprehensive financial planning engagements.
Dan Edelmann
Senior Director
EyeMed
For more than thirteen years, Dan Edelmann has advanced the role of vision care within broader health strategies, combining technical expertise with a clear understanding of how eye care supports whole-person health. In his current role on EyeMed Vision Care’s Strategic Partner team, he works with more than 85 Health and Ancillary Plans serving over 60 million members. His focus includes strengthening network solutions, supporting regulatory and quality requirements and improving how members engage with vision care as part of their overall health.
Cyndi Eggers
Senior Leader
Medica
Cyndi Eggers is a senior leader in Broker Operations & Commissions at Medica, where she supports regional and national broker distribution through contracting, commissions operations, analytics, and broker experience teams. Her work focuses on ensuring commissions are accurate, compliant, and delivered consistently while supporting growth and system change. Cyndi works closely with sales, finance, and technology partners to navigate complex compensation models and improve transparency and processes for brokers. She brings a practical, execution‑focused perspective shaped by 15+ years working in healthcare and broker operations.
Chris Ellis
CEO
Thatch
Chris Ellis is the Co-founder and CEO of Thatch, a company redefining how modern businesses offer health benefits. Chris has been at the forefront of making Individual Coverage HRAs (ICHRA) more accessible, efficient, and scalable for employers and brokers alike. Before founding Thatch, he held roles at leading biotechnology companies, honing his expertise in go-to-market strategy and scaling high-growth businesses. Under his leadership, Thatch has secured backing from top investors including a16z, Index Ventures, Google Ventures, and General Catalyst. Chris is a sought-after thought leader on the future of health benefits, employer-sponsored coverage, and the intersection of technology and insurance.
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 End is CEO and Co-Founder of Retirable, a holistic retirement planning platform helping everyday Americans achieve financial confidence. With nearly 15 years of experience in financial services, Tyler founded Retirable to make personalized retirement advice accessible to everyone. Before launching Retirable, Tyler served as a leading financial services firm, where he helped clients define their goals, achieve financial independence, and retire with peace of mind. He later joined Policygenius, where he expanded the company into new product lines as Head of Operations Expansion. Tyler and Retirable have recently been featured on Good Morning America and quoted in The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger's, FOX Business, MONEY, Forbes, and other leading publications. Tyler is passionate about bringing financial literacy and retirement planning to Americans who need it most.
Jagger Esch
CEO & President
Elite Insurance Partners
Jagger Esch is the Founder and CEO of Elite Insurance Partners (EIP), a tech-enabled InsurTech brokerage consistently ranked among the nation’s top Medicare brokerages. Entering the insurance industry at age 20 and founding his first agency at 24, Jagger has built EIP into an industry powerhouse representing over 30 carriers nationwide. Under his leadership, EIP has earned numerous accolades, including the Inc. 5000 and Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Fast 50. A 40 Under 40 honoree, Jagger is dedicated to leveraging proprietary technology and AI to disrupt insurance distribution, scale operations, and empower agents to deliver superior client experiences.
Ryan Fajkowski
Brand Awareness And Strategic Partnerships
Lucie Health Marketplace
Ryan Fajkowski is a seasoned expert in the individual health insurance industry with over 17 years of experience. He has led and worked extensively with major carriers and innovative platforms on direct-to-consumer initiatives, sales distribution, and lead generation, while building deep knowledge of ACA marketplaces, direct enrollment technologies, quoting, enrollment processes, and consumer-driven coverage solutions for individual medical and small group insurance.
Passionate about simplifying complex insurance landscapes, Ryan focuses on greater transparency, stability, and accessibility in health and group insurance products. He helps drive growth, business development, and strategic partnerships—growing INSXCloud an innovative platform—while supporting agents, agencies, carriers, consumers, and strategic partnership groups in navigating options effectively for more reliable and user-friendly experiences in the evolving ACA and broader insurance sectors.
Manny Felix
Senior Manager, Medicaid Sales
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Arizona
Manny is an award-winning Medicare sales leader with a passion for health equity and professional development. In his current role, Manny partners with brokers, agency principals, and FMO leaders to drive growth through smart, actionable sales strategies. His training sessions are more than informative, they’re empowering. Manny breaks down the complexities of Medicare Dual Special Needs Plans (DSNP) and Medicaid with clarity and relevance, equipping partners with the tools they need to thrive in today’s competitive market.
Teresa Ferrin
Owner
Kierland Life & Health Insurance
Teresa is a seasoned agency owner based in Scottsdale, Arizona, with over 25 years of success in building and maintaining long-term relationships with both group and individual clients. Known for her commitment to excellence, she has not only grown her own business but has also recruited, mentored, and trained numerous agents—many of whom have gone on to build thriving agencies of their own.
Her greatest passion lies in empowering others, especially single mothers. Having started her own journey as a single mother, Teresa is deeply committed to helping women create financial independence and lasting success.
Beyond her professional achievements, Teresa is highly active in her community. She is a dedicated networker with a strong expertise in building referral partnerships and has spent many years volunteering with a nonprofit organization, as well as supporting local foster care programs.
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 34 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.
Troy Fisher
CEO
Senior Center Agents.com
As founder of SeniorCenterAgents.com, he created an AI-powered lead platform connecting publishers with independent agents through real-time lead intelligence and embedded AI assistance. Now launching AI voice agents modeled on his proven sales flow, Troy's platform qualifies leads before a human ever picks up—replacing traditional fronters, cutting costs, and positioning agents at the front edge of where the industry is heading. Troy Fisher is a top-producing, multi-state licensed insurance agent who mastered phone-based senior market sales—then built the technology to scale it.
Aaron Flores
Chief Deputy
HRA Council
R. Aaron Flores is Chief Deputy at the HRA Council, leading the annual "Growth Trends for ICHRA & QSEHRA" report and managing member experience and operations. His background includes creative services, business development, organizational leadership, and policy. Prior to HRA Council, he led the nonprofit creation of the largest rooftop farm in Texas as Chief Operating Officer and Lead Skyfarmer, for which he was featured on Good Morning America, and has delivered a TEDx talk on community building available at ted.com. Outside of his work, Aaron is a passionate community educator in ancestral wellness, regenerative agriculture, and localism.
Zachary Freeman
Insurance Agent
Ann M Wiley Insurance
Zachary Freeman is a seasoned Medicare and life-insurance specialist serving Ashtabula County, Ohio. Since entering the field in 2015, he has earned multiple top-agent honors, including JSA Top Agent (2019–2021), UHC Premier Platinum Producer, TLC Top Agent (Cabo), and NABIP Leading Producer Round Table – Soaring Eagle, along with volunteer awards from ACES (2016, 2018). He is an active member of the NABIP Medicare Advisory Group and the Prescription Drug Working Group. Through Wiley Insurance Services, Zachary helps clients navigate Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, Prescription Drug Plans, and ancillary benefits with a strong focus on education, ethics, and long-term support.
Ned Gaines
Insurance Commissioner
State Of Nevada
Ned Gaines was appointed Nevada’s Insurance Commissioner on October 6, 2025, after serving in an acting capacity since July. He oversees consumer protection and public interests in insurance matters. Gaines brings over 25 years of experience, joining the Nevada Division of Insurance in April 2025 as Chief Deputy Commissioner. Previously, he spent 12 years with Washington’s Office of Insurance Commissioner, most recently as Deputy Commissioner of Rates, Forms, and Provider Networks. He holds multiple professional designations, is active in IRES and AICP, and was elected Secretary/Treasurer of the NAIC Western Zone for 2026. Gaines earned a master’s in public policy and a bachelor’s in business
Paul Garofoli
Regional VP
The Standard
Paul Garofoli, FLMI, RICP®, is an Annuity Regional Vice President for the Standard with a 44-year career touching upon all aspects of our industry, especially independent distribution. Nicknamed the “King of Annuities,” his enthusiasm is legendary. A nationally recognized speaker, Paul is known for his entertaining presentations. Paul also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA) where he continues to advocate for the industry.
Shelby Gartner
VP Of Sales
Scamnetic
Shelby Gartner is Vice President and Partner at Scamnetic, where she leads enterprise sales and strategic partnerships focused on preventing scam and fraud losses before they occur. She has a proven track record driving growth and delivering high‑impact solutions across financial services, insurance, healthcare, and platform ecosystems. With experience spanning sales leadership, benefits consulting, and marketing, Shelby helps organizations improve efficiency, customer engagement, retention, and profitability through disciplined, distribution‑led go‑to‑market execution. She holds an MBA from the University of Saint Mary and a BFA from Northwest Missouri State University.
Sandra Gebhardt
Online Marketing Strategist
Sandra Gebhardt Marketing
As a digital marketer with years of experience, Sandra has worked with thousands of small business owners, trained in high ticket consulting groups, spoken at multiple events including TEDX, been featured in two documentaries, runs a top rated Podcast (Binding Authority) all while being a wife and keeping the worlds cutest four year old entertained, happy and from falling off of tall things he climbs. Sandra is extremely passionate about helping people solve problems they are having in business. She has been described as being “a bit too much” or “a busy body” and voted “most eager to please” by her Highschool Senior Class. Sandra took these labels and turned into being famous for being a power connector and helping small business owners fix advertising and marketing issues. Known as the “Queen Of Organic Social Media Marketing.” Sandra is passionate about teaching agents to build their own personal brand. She also runs a group consulting course where she focuses on coaching and helping agents build smart marketing plans!
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!
Samantha George
CEO & Founder
Mystic Consulting
Samantha is the CEO & Founder of Mystic Consulting. She has over 22 years of experience in the Healthcare Industry. Her varied knowledge spans from provider offices, Medicare agent, carrier leadership, FMO leadership to consulting firm and agency founder. Samantha currently serves on NABIP’s Medicare Advisory Group and Individual Working Group. She believes that agent education is the key to empowerment in agents being strong advocates for themselves and their clients.
Joanne Giardini-Russell
Vice President
Giardini Medicare
Joanne Giardini-Russell is VP of Giardini Medicare, a Medicare-specialized insurance agency serving clients across 24 states. With over a decade of industry leadership, she has built a reputation for education-first Medicare guidance that prioritizes transparency over sales pressure. As a Medicare educator and content creator with nearly 100,000 TikTok followers, Joanne helps people navigate the transition to Medicare with clarity and confidence. Her philosophy is simple: ask the right questions first, reduce anxiety, and empower beneficiaries to make informed decisions about their coverage—without the high-pressure sales tactics common in the industry.
Marc Glickman
CEO & Founder
BuddyIns
Marc Glickman, FSA, CLTC is CEO and founder of BuddyIns, which is an open community of LTC insurance experts. BuddyIns operates as an FMO in all 50 states specializing as the group LTC division for large agencies and brokers. BuddyIns provide agent training, quoting tools, and a turnkey group enrollment platform. Marc is an actuary by profession and graduated from Yale University with a degree in economics.
Aaron Goddard
President
Allstate Health Solutions
Aaron Goddard is an insurance industry veteran with over 26 years of experience across distribution, carriers, and Insurtech. He has played a key role in more than 19 mergers and acquisitions, helping drive significant growth for organizations across the industry. Known for his strategic perspective, Aaron combines deep market knowledge with disciplined decision-making. Outside of business, he is a father of five and grandfather to three. An avid adventurer, Aaron enjoys extreme sports including kiting, heli-skiing, big-wave surfing, winging, and scuba diving, and has been a private pilot for eight years—embracing risk in life so he can take less of it in business.
Brian Goetsch
Senior Partner
Healthscape Advisors
Brian Goetsch is a Senior Partner at HealthScape Advisors, a Chartis Company, where he offers strategic, financial, and operational guidance to health plans, specialty health organizations, and private equity investors. As a co-leader of HealthScape’s Ancillary Center of Excellence, Brian focuses on the Dental and Vision sectors, including managed care, providers, labs, and emerging technologies. Brian has led initiatives on product expansion, market entry, network and cost management, partnership strategies, and inorganic growth. Before HealthScape, he was a senior executive at EyeMed Vision Care, driving the "One-Stop-Shop" strategy and other significant projects. Brian began his career at Huron Consulting Group and holds a Master's and Bachelor's in Accountancy from the University of Illinois.
Tom Goila
Partner, Head Of Originations, & Co-Head Of Healthcare
Comvest Credit Partners
Tom joined Comvest Partners in 2017. He is a Partner of the Firm and Head of Originations and Co-Head of Healthcare for Comvest Credit Partners. He serves as a member of Comvest’s Executive Committee and the investment committees for Comvest Credit Partners and Comvest Credit Opportunities, Comvest’s opportunistic credit strategy. In addition, Tom is responsible for originating, structuring and managing investments in healthcare as well as in other industries of focus for both strategies. Prior to joining Comvest, Tom was a Senior Restructuring and Finance Consultant for a healthcare-focused specialty finance firm. He also worked at Goldman Sachs, first as a Vice President and then as a Director in the Specialty Lending Group within the Special Situations Group, where he focused on mid-market and healthcare investing. Tom also has held healthcare finance roles at BNP Paribas and First Union. Tom received a B.A. in Accounting from Furman University.
Carroll Golden
Executive Director Of Knowledge Centers
NAIFA
Carroll Golden serves as Executive Director of the NAIFA Knowledge Centers, where she leads the Lifetime Healthcare Center—the home of the Medicare Collective. With decades of field and executive experience in insurance and advisor distribution, Carroll helps Medicare-focused FMOs, carriers, and professionals stay ahead of the issues that shape client outcomes, from policy and regulation to market shifts and consumer needs. She is a respected advocate for long-term, multigenerational financial security and a trusted voice across the industry. Carroll has authored four books, contributes to leading trade publications, and speaks frequently for companies and professional groups.
Ben Gomez
Principal
Ranger Consulting Services
Ben Gomez is the Founder and Principal of Ranger Consulting Services, advising healthcare organizations on broker channel strategy, sales operations, and performance optimization. With over 29 years of experience across sales, sales operations, the broker ecosystem, and deep knowledge in the Sales Performance Management (SPM) space, he is recognized for driving growth, strengthening compliance, and enhancing distribution effectiveness. A retired Army Ranger and decorated veteran, Ben brings disciplined leadership and strategic rigor. He partners with executive teams to deliver measurable, sustainable results.
Harley Gordon
President
Insurance Education Advisors
Harley Gordon, Esq. is a founding member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. His views have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The CBS Nightly News, and the PBS Frontline documentary, “Who Pays for Mom and Dad?” Senior Market Advisor selected him among the “10 Most Influential People” in the LTC industry.
Bill Gordon
Senior Wealth Advisor
Cypress Wealth Services
Bill Gordon is a Senior Wealth Advisor with Cypress Wealth Services, based in Silicon Valley. He began his financial services career in 2002 through real estate, where he saw firsthand how business ownership and strategic investments can build long-term wealth. Since 2018, Bill has focused on being a personal CFO to senior technology leaders and families navigating concentrated equity and complex life transitions to grow, protect, and transition their wealth through thoughtful financial planning and wealth management. He brings a personal passion for helping clients navigate complex financial decisions. Bill earned his degree from UC Berkeley and is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
John Gourdin
CEO
SoundadviceMD
John Gourdin is an accomplished financial services professional with more than 30 years of experience. Beginning his career in banking and credit, John later moved into leadership roles within several financial services organizations while maintaining a strong focus on helping clients navigate insurance and financial decisions. In 2008, he founded his own firm, providing personalized life and health insurance guidance. Today, as Principal Agent of SoundadviceMD, John mentors and supports more than 100 state and federally certified agents across 30 states. John and his team specialize in educating individuals, especially seniors, about Medicare and other programs that help reduce out of pocket medical costs and improve quality of care.
Martin Graf, PhD
Senior Partner, Health & Life Sciences
Oliver Wyman
Martin Graf is a Senior Partner at Oliver Wyman, a global management consulting firm, where he leads the Health & Life Sciences (HLS) Government Markets (Medicare, Medicaid, and Marketplace) franchise and the Pharmacy Services franchise. Dr. Graf brings over 28 years of executive leadership and management consulting experience in the healthcare industry to the role. He has a proven track record of driving transformative change within major healthcare organizations, including payors, providers, and health systems. Prior to joining Oliver Wyman, Dr. Graf held leadership positions at L.E.K. Consulting and UnitedHealth Group and began his career at United Technologies Corporation. He holds two Master's and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Bachelor of Science with honors from the University of Miami.
Marcus Greene
CEO
Saidi
Marcus Greene is the Founder and CEO of Saidi Health, the intelligent education and certification platform defining the emerging Medicare-ICHRA market. With 18 years of insurance industry leadership — from coaching 120+ franchise advisors at Ameriprise Financial to building a nationwide Medicare-focused FMO — Marcus recognized a critical gap: agents had products and compliance training, but lacked the specialized education the market demanded. He founded Saidi Health to close it. The platform delivers accredited continuing education and industry-defining certifications, including the Medicare-ICHRA Specialist designation. An MBA graduate of the Weatherhead School of Management, widely recognized as a leading voice in agent development and the future of Medicare innovation based in Atlanta, GA.
Paul Gregory
Co-Founder
Powervox
Paul Gregory is a co-founder of Powervox and a serial entrepreneur. He previously founded System Target, Esport Supply, and Zodiac Labs. Paul held senior leadership roles at SelectQuote (NYSE: SLQT), including Executive Vice President of the Life Insurance Division and Executive Officer, as well as Senior Vice President of IT, Data Science, and Recruiting, and Vice President of Sales and Operations for the Senior division. Earlier, he served as Chief Revenue Officer of Corvisa from 2012–2016, prior to its sale to ShoreTel (NASDAQ: SHOR). Paul began his career at Merrill Lynch, where he focused on finance, strategy, and leadership development.
Jessica Grover
CEO
RiskLync
Jessica Grover is Co-Founder & CEO of RiskLync, a performance-first lead intelligence platform revolutionizing Medicare insurance acquisition. RiskLync applies behavioral underwriting to predict lead conversion, solving the $50B Medicare acquisition crisis where leads are wasted and conversion rates remain low. Before founding RiskLync, Jessica spent 25+ years driving marketing transformation for Fortune 500 companies including Allstate, Nissan, and Danaher, consistently delivering exceptional ROI through data-driven strategies. She holds a B.A. in Communications from USC and is a Danaher Business Systems Master Black Belt. Jessica is based in Nashville, TN.
Carey Gruenbaum
CEO & Founder
The Big Plan
Carey Gruenbaum is the Founder and CEO of The Big Plan, a leading ICHRA platform helping brokers and employers transition from traditional group health plans to individualized, cost-controlled benefit strategies. With more than 30 years in the employee benefits industry, Carey built and scaled both a benefits and property & casualty brokerage business, which were successfully acquired by HUB International in 2024. He also currently serves as Senior Vice President at HUB International, where he continues to drive innovative benefit solutions and national broker partnerships. Carey is widely recognized for translating complex healthcare funding strategies into practical growth opportunities for advisors and employers alike.
Chase Gruening
CEO & Founder
Gruening Health & Wealth, COACHG
Chase Gruening is a championship college football coach turned Medicare industry leader, bringing a rare blend of disciplined coaching, operational strategy, and real-world production experience to the agents and agencies he supports. After transitioning from athletics into insurance, Chase built Gruening Health & Wealth into a multi–seven-figure Medicare and retirement agency before founding COACHG, one of the fastest-growing collaborative development platforms in the industry. Today, Chase trains agents nationwide on increasing revenue per client, building strong operational systems, and developing high-performing teams. His mission is simple: to develop championship producers and build championship teams through structure, accountability, and proven systems.
Melissa M. Gutierrez
VP Of Growth And Retention
Optum
Melissa Gutierrez serves as the Vice President of Growth and Retention for Optum of California, bringing 25 years of experience across the health plan, provider, and broker sectors in both profit and nonprofit environments. A recognized leader in Medicare growth, she specializes in cultivating strategic partnerships with carriers, agents, and key centers of influence. Melissa’s deep knowledge of community health and state health programs strengthens her mission to expand access and improve outcomes for diverse populations. Known for her collaborative approach, she is driven by a passion for outreach, retention, and empowering seniors to make confident, informed healthcare decisions.
Melissa Gwennap
Director, MedSupps
Humana
Melissa Gwennap is an accomplished insurance professional with 26 years of industry experience.She is a Director - Medicare Supplement with Humana. As a licensed agent, she has expertise across claims, customer service, agent service, sales, and all ancillary and long-term care products, specializing in training agents & FMO's on Medicare. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys traveling with her husband of 24 years, spending time with their three daughters and three grandchildren, boating, bowling, and exploring tropical destinations. She is an avid football fan.
Darwin Hale
CEO & Founder
Advocate Health Advisors
Dr. Darwin Hale is the Founder and CEO of Advocate Health Advisors, one of the nation’s leading FMOs in the Medicare Advantage market. With over 30 years of leadership experience across healthcare, technology, and corporate strategy, Dr. Hale has helped shape the Broker distribution model for modern Medicare. Prior to founding Advocate in 2005, he held senior roles at AT&T and IBM, leading national healthcare initiatives. He’s also a decorated U.S. Army Colonel (Ret.) and earned his Doctorate in Business Administration with a focus on Broker quality. Dr. Hale speaks nationally on Medicare and is the bestselling author of Need to Know, a guide to navigating the U.S. healthcare system.
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.”
Mike Hardle
Chief Revenue Officer
Agent Boost Marketing
Mike Hardle is the CRO and part owner of Agent Boost Marketing. Agent Boost recently completed a transaction with Amerilife. 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
CRO
NCD
Ben Harrison is Chief Revenue Officer at NCD, where he leads national sales, distribution strategy, and growth across the Medicare and under-65 markets. With more than 15 years of experience in health insurance, he specializes in transforming ancillary products into meaningful revenue engines for agencies and national distributors. Ben focuses on building durable growth through product attachment, retention strategy, and disciplined execution. He’s known for translating market insight into practical systems that help agents increase policies per household and long-term client value.
Leigha Hayes
Regional Sales Director
The Brokerage Inc.
Leigha Hayes is a Regional Sales Director in the Dallas-Fort Worth market with The Brokerage, Inc. She has 10 years of experience in the Medicare Industry. She supports agency partners and carriers through training, strategy, and relationship development. Leigha is passionate about helping others succeed and loves the work she does.
Michael Henderson
Founder
Tapestry Insurance Group LLC
Michael Henderson is the Founder and CEO of Tapestry Insurance, LLC. He was raised on a ranch in Colorado and as an adolescent worked in the log home construction industry. Throughout this early time of his life, he learned a strong work ethic, important values, and developed significant skills in both the business and construction industry. As an adult, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration while working full-time and raising his family. Always motivated to start a successful business, he opened a retail store and started a payroll business in Colorado. After relocating to Arizona and taking a short break he began working in the Medicare space and realized the need for an agency that cared about the community and its agents. Shortly thereafter he founded Tapestry Insurance Group, LLC in 2013. Michael’s goal started out to better help people to understand and obtain the Medicare Insurance Plan that best fit them. He continues to achieve this goal through his vast knowledge base of Medicare and all its intricacies. It is the result of Michael’s life experiences, as well as his desire to help the Medicare Community, that have enabled him to succeed and build an agency with a presence in all 50 states. He is proud to have this success in both his business and his family.
Jesse Hendon
Head Of Ancillary & Life Products
Spark Advisors
With nearly 20 years of experience, Jesse Hendon is a seasoned insurance leader who has mastered the industry from every angle. His career spans the full lifecycle of ACA, MA, Med Supp, and Ancillary products. From sitting at kitchen tables and driving telephonic sales to leading national distribution at the carrier and FMO levels, Jesse brings a rare, 360-degree perspective to the market. Currently, he leverages this deep frontline and executive expertise to drive growth and innovation across national insurance landscapes.
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.
Brent Hess
CRO
ConnectureDRX
Brent Hess is Chief Revenue Officer at ConnectureDRX, leading growth across sales, marketing, and strategic partnerships in the Medicare and ancillary markets. With more than 20 years of healthcare leadership experience, he brings a unique, end-to-end perspective shaped by starting his career as a broker, launching Humana’s Nevada market, building a Medicare Advantage plan for SelectHealth within Intermountain Health, and most recently leading product and sales for government programs at Cambia Health Solutions. As a patient advocate and people-first leader, Brent is focused on improving the beneficiary experience by turning complex data into actionable insights and empowering partners to drive better outcomes.
Kyle Hess
Head Of Product
InsureTrek & Dinero Commissions
Kyle Hess is Head of Product at Dinero Commissions, which modernizes commission management and reconciliation, and InsureTrek, which simplifies licensing and onboarding. Both are built for Medicare agencies that are ready to scale. Together, they cover the operational backbone that most agencies are still managing with spreadsheets and duct tape. Before insurance, Kyle spent over a decade in fintech at two of the country's fastest-growing mortgage companies, and has built software used by thousands of agents and loan officers. His teams focus on the operational mess that sits between an agency and its next stage of growth. He's based in Oregon.
Michael Hilf
CEO & Co-Founder
Healthcare Funding Partners
Michael Hilf is CEO of Healthcare Funding Partners, LLC (HFP), an insurance-focused investment firm that has deployed over $1 billion in funding across the insurance markets. With 20+ years in healthcare, insurance, and finance, Michael brings expertise in M&A, private equity, and capital strategy, helping companies navigate growth, partnerships, and transactions. His leadership has fueled the expansion of HFP and its partners through thoughtful investments and long-term relationships. A passionate advocate for market innovation, leadership development, and mentorship, Michael combines strategic insight with a commitment to impactful business growth and community engagement.
Ben Hochstetler
SVP, Marketing
Quote.com
Ben Hochstetler is the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Quote.com, where he leads digital marketing strategy and execution across the company’s omnichannel performance marketing platform. He brings more than 15 years of experience building and scaling performance-driven marketing organizations in highly competitive and regulated markets, with a data-driven approach to decision making and execution. Prior to joining Quote.com, Ben led performance and corporate marketing teams at Healthcare.com, a leading consumer marketplace in the health and Medicare verticals.
Michael Howard
CEO
HIC Agency Inc
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.
Nick Howard
Co-Founder
Onyx Platform
I'm the Cofounder of Onyx Platform, a comprehensive solution to help agencies streamline operations, scale smarter, and stay competitive by replacing disconnected and outdated systems with a single, intelligent platform. Built by industry experts who understand your challenges, Onyx unifies CRM, compliant telephony, workflow automation, agency management, and analytics—all designed to help your business operate efficiently today while staying ahead of tomorrow's challenges.
Mark Hunter
CDO
Senior Market Sales
Mark Hunter is Chief Distribution Officer at Senior Market Sales® (SMS), where he leads the Medicare Solutions division. Mark also oversees technology, mergers and acquisitions, and finance to strengthen the company’s value proposition for agents. In addition, Mark plays a role in driving alignment and strategic synergies across the Alliant Consumer Group, part of SMS’ parent company, Alliant Insurance Services. Previously, Mark served as President of Spring Venture Group in Kansas City, directing sales, operations, and technology for one of the industry’s largest Medicare-focused agencies. Mark is a licensed insurance agent, a registered investment advisor, and has passed the FINRA Series 65 exam. A Kansas City native, Mark Hunter graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a degree in American History.
Matt Huray
Chief Growth Officer
InnovAge
Matt brings over 20 years of strategic finance and analytical experience to InnovAge. He most recently held senior leadership roles at Humana, including chief financial officer of the healthcare services segment and enterprise corporate development. Prior to Humana, Matt spent 13 years at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, most recently as a managing director of investment banking for the Global Healthcare Group. While there, he executed advisory assignments and financings within the healthcare services sector. Matt has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Vanderbilt University and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Gabe Isaacson
Chief Strategy Officer
Integrity
As the Chief Strategy Officer of Integrity, Gabe Isaacson leads strategy and execution across the firm’s life, health and wealth distribution platform. He is known for bringing a sharp, analytical approach to solving complex industry challenges and for building teams that deliver lasting impact. Gabe began his career at McKinsey & Company in 2019, where he quickly rose to Partner and co-led the national Medicare practice. Over the next six years, he advised senior leadership at major healthcare organizations and led go-to-market strategies across the senior and government-sponsored markets. Gabe earned both his JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and MBA from Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business in 2019, after completing his undergraduate studies at Georgetown University in 2015.
Eric Izquierdo
President
InTouch Financial Group
Eric Izquierdo is the President of InTouch Financial Group and a principal leader within 129 Holdings LLC, a diversified holding company spanning insurance distribution, healthcare operations, MSOs, and clinic networks. His career has taken him through every layer of the protection ecosystem — from scaling ACA and Medicare organizations to supporting provider‑side operations that serve thousands of patients — yet his foundation has always been rooted in life insurance.
This blend of life‑first expertise and deep operational experience across health and clinical environments gives Eric a rare vantage point in today’s converging industry. He understands how consumers move, how agencies grow, and how life and annuity solutions can be integrated into health‑driven businesses without disrupting their core momentum. He has built high‑performing teams on both sides of the industry and developed activation models that help agents protect more families while strengthening retention and long‑term revenue.
Today, as the market shifts toward holistic protection, Eric brings all of his experience together to help agencies evolve with clarity, confidence, and a forward‑looking strategy that aligns with where the industry is headed.
Justin Jacobs
President & Founder
Health Plan Markets
Justin Jacobs is the founder and visionary of Health Plan Markets, a company built to empower health insurance agents with extraordinary systems, support, and opportunity. With a background in physician marketing, Justin brings a relationship-driven approach to leadership, sales, and growth in the insurance industry. He is also the host of Closed, a podcast for health insurance agents looking to sharpen their sales skills, and the author of The Summit, a field guide for agents committed to mastering themselves, serving others, and earning what they are worth. He is the proud father of three wonderful children.
Kent Jacquay
Founder
Ansurex
I was licensed for life & annuity in 1995. I sold my first Fixed Indexed Annuity in 1997. I also started my wholesaling career in 1997. I have held multiple positions at 7 different marketing organizations and owned my own for almost 10 years. In 2004 I was part of a committee that introduced the first income rider attached to a Fixed Indexed Annuity. I have been tracking the performance history of Fixed Indexed Annuities for over 20 years. In 2019 I founded the Index Resource Center which focuses on the historical performance of indices and crediting methods as it pertains to Fixed Indexed Annuity allocations. In 2024 I invented the mathematical formula called "Retro Pricing" that has changed the way the entire industry looks at historical index back-testing.
Sachin Jain, MD
President & CEO
SCAN Group & SCAN Health Plan
Sachin (pronounced SUCH-in) H. Jain, MD, MBA is CEO of SCAN Group and SCAN Health Plan. SCAN is a nonprofit organization with annual revenues of $8B that serves nearly 500,000 people across Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Washington. Previously, Dr. Jain was President and CEO of CareMore and Aspire Health. He also served as Chief Medical Information & Innovation Officer at Merck & Co., was Senior Advisor to the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and was the first Deputy Director for policy and programs at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). He was also Special Assistant to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
Lauren Jenkins
CEO
Native Oklahoma Insurance
Lauren Jenkins is the President and CEO of Native Oklahoma Insurance, specializing in Marketplace plans since their inception. She actively contributes to agent and broker panels for CMS and has served as an expert panelist supporting underserved and underinsured communities. Lauren volunteers her time on advisory boards for platforms and carriers, working to improve industry standards and streamline enrollment processes for both agents and consumers. An advocate for meaningful change, she engages with legislators in Washington, D.C. and proudly serves as a Presidential Board Member for Health Agents for America (HAFA).
Joshua Jenson
President
Senior Benefits Agency, Inc.
Got into insurance in 2011. Cut my teeth in final expense. Got into Medicare in 2015. Sold primarily for the next few years. Took a hiatus to build my Final expense agency. Then started growing a Medicare Agency organically. Took about four years to amass over 40,000 applications a year with over 400 writing agents. Currently Spark's number 1 Medicare agency.
Ryan Jessell
Sr. VP, Business Development
Health Plan One
Ryan Jessell is the SVP of Business Development for HealthPlanOne, a leading data-driven engagement platform dedicated to addressing the needs of seniors and those who care for them. He is focused on expanding and scaling existing offerings, adding new products to the portfolio, and bringing new solutions and ideas to market that complement HealthPlanOne’s existing business lines. Prior to joining HealthPlanOne, Ryan was Managing Director and Head of Strategy for the Individual Marketplace business at WTW with responsibility for all aspects of the long-term business strategy, including partnership development, product enhancement, market research, and M&A activities.
James Jiang
CEO & Co-Founder
Spark Advisors
James Jiang is the CEO and cofounder of Spark, where he leads overall strategy and growth in support of Spark’s mission: to help every Medicare beneficiary take control of his health. James spends his time building deep partnerships with leading independent agencies, providing powerful technology and world-class service to reimagine the agent and client experience. Before Spark, James built value-based in-home care programs for high-need Medicare beneficiaries at Roster Health and worked as an institutional investor in high-growth companies.
Bruce Johnson
Head Of Policy
Thatch
Bruce Johnson is Head of Policy at Thatch, a health benefits platform empowering businesses to deliver affordable, personalized healthcare coverage. With fifteen years in law and policy, he previously served as Director, Federal Affairs at Boeing and Assistant General Counsel at Brex, where he also chaired the Financial Technology Association. Bruce’s work earned recognition by Washingtonian magazine as one of DC #39's most influential policy shapers. Bruce formerly served in senior staff roles on the House Financial Services Committee and as an Air Force intelligence officer. He holds a J.D. from Georgetown and a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Mary Anna Jones
AVP, National Sales Distribution
Wellabe
Mary Anna Jones is Assistant Vice President of National Sales Distribution at Wellabe, with more than 23 years of experience in the life and health insurance industry. She has held senior leadership roles with Liberty Bankers Insurance Group, UnitedHealthcare, and Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company. Since joining Wellabe in March 2025, she has led national distribution strategy focused on driving unprecedented growth across healthcare products.
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.
Allen Kamer
CEO & Co-Founder
Navigage
Allen is the Co-founder and CEO of Navigage, an anticipatory health companion designed to streamline care coordination and Medicare benefits for older adults. A veteran healthcare entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience, Allen previously co-founded Humedica, which was acquired by UnitedHealth’s Optum in a landmark digital health transaction. His extensive leadership background includes serving as Managing Partner of OurCrowd Qure, Israel’s first digital health venture fund and Chief Commercial Officer of Optum Analytics. Allen has also held key roles at investment bank Leerink Swann and Biogen, cementing his reputation as a leader in healthcare innovation.
Joe Kanatzar
VP, Medicare Growth
Blue 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, Privacy, Compliance Officer
Health Plan One
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.
Barry Karfunkel
Founder
AdirVentures
Barry is the founder of AdirVentures, an insurance focused startup incubator and venture capital firm. Adir partners with entrepreneurs by providing them access to a highly experienced, insurance focused senior management team to assist them in building their company. Adir’s area of expertise is leveraging its superior technology and analytic capabilities to provide portfolio companies with a strategic advantage. Prior to founding Adir, Barry was CEO of National General Insurance (NGHC), a multiline insurance carrier. National General leveraged its superior technology and analytics to experience industry leading growth rates and margins, growing from ~ $1B in 2013 to over $5B in 2020 before selling to Allstate in a $4B transaction.
Bryan Keeven
President, Health Distribution-Product
AmeriLife
Bryan Keeven is a distinguished healthcare sales and operations executive with 30 years of experience in the industry which includes sales and leadership roles with BCBS, Coventry, Aetna and Molina. 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, SB Group
Lucie Health Marketplace
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.
Jameson Keller
CCO
NCD
Jameson Keller is a strategic healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience in Medicare, Individual, and ancillary insurance markets, driven by a passion for connecting people with the coverage they need. Currently serving as Chief Commercial Officer at NCD, he drives growth focused on dental, vision, and supplemental health products. Previously, he led the strategic growth of the Medicare-focused FMO, AgencyRM, and successfully orchestrated its acquisition by The Baldwin Group. Jameson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management and is a licensed Life, Health, and P&C Insurance agent.
Ryan Kimble
President
Integrity Health
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.
Bill Kiray
VP, Partner Engagement
Integrity
Bill Kiray is the Vice President of Partner Engagement at Integrity Health, and has been focused on the Medicare market since 2003. Bill’s experience in Sales Development began at Neishloss & Fleming, where he worked for 20 years, serving as Chief Marketing Officer until 2023. His solutions oriented approach to Medicare marketing helped build that business into a national power in the Medicare FMO space. Since joining the national team at Integrity, Bill has focused on building strategic partnerships, accelerating carrier relationships, and collaborating with his partners on growth planning.
Stephanie Kirk
Founder
Secure Benefits
With over 18 years of experience, Stephanie has established herself as a dynamic leader in the Medicare insurance industry. She began her career as a field broker, quickly rising to become a top producer. Her passion for the industry and dedication to helping others led her to transition into mentoring agents, ultimately building an award-winning, top-producing FMO (Field Marketing Organization). In 2022, Stephanie joined the Amerilife family as an affiliate partner. Since then, her agency has seen remarkable growth, tripling its earnings. Stephanie believes in leading by example and remains hands-on with her clients while overseeing the growth and management of her agency. She is deeply committed to creating new opportunities for her agency partners, ensuring they have the tools and guidance to achieve their own success. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys a fulfilling family life in Tennessee. She is a proud mother of four children and a grandmother to five, finding joy and balance between her thriving career and her loved ones.
Vincent Kleszcz
Director Of Sales & Training
American Online Benefits Group
Strategic leader in the health insurance space with a proven track record of building and scaling high-performing agency networks. Known for combining strong relationship management with operational discipline with a focus on delivering superior service that drives growth. Adept at navigating industry change and uncertainty, while bringing a forward-thinking mindset grounded in long-term vision and execution. Passionate about creating systems that support both business success and meaningful agent impact.
Ryan Kocher
SVP
Integrity Health
Ryan brings over twenty years of insurance industry leadership, much of it spent at The Cigna Group, where he held several key roles including Chief Operating Officer for the Mid-South Markets and Market President for the Pacific Northwest Markets. Most recently, he served as Medicare Chief Growth Officer, overseeing sales, marketing, customer retention, and customer experience for Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement, and prescription drug plan offerings nationwide. Throughout his career, Ryan has launched new products, driven significant organizational growth, and built top-performing teams. His deep industry knowledge and adaptability make him well-suited to serve as Integrity Health's SVP of Medicare Advantage and Part D.
David Kohel
CEO
Livmor Inc.
David is an accomplished executive leader with over 25 years of experience in digital technology and healthcare innovation. As CEO of Livmor Inc., he has developed advanced AI solutions that transform how agents help seniors find and access healthcare coverage. His healthcare expertise includes serving as CTO at ZoomCare, pioneering the industry's first text-based care platform, and leading digital transformation as CTO and COO at XWELL (NASDAQ: XWEL). David has generated over $500 million in incremental revenue and led transformative initiatives at Nike and Kroger. David resides in the Pacific Northwest with his wife and two children.
Chris Kolowich
VP, Partner Engagement
Integrity
Chris Kolowich, Vice President of Health at Integrity, has a decade of Medicare experience, focusing on product development and sales enablement. As part of a team that has developed several of the most recognized Medicare Supplement and ancillary products to market, Chris is passionate about innovating to bring new, exciting ideas that benefit more Americans. Today, Chris works with agents, partners, and carriers building meaningful relationships, enhance business and bring new advancements to the Medicare industry.
Thomas Kornfield
CEO & Founder
MAST Health Policy Solutions
Tom Kornfield is a recognized national expert on Medicare Advantage payment policy with mastery of Medicare Part D and the Inflation Reduction Act. His unique combination of working in the public and private sector, gained over 25 years of experience, provides him with an unparalleled and creative perspective on government policy. He spent 10 years at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in a variety of roles tied to plan payment and risk adjustment. During his tenure at CMS, he originated the idea to allow five-star Medicare health plans to market and enroll year-round.
Andrea Krisztal
VP Of Sales, Individual & Family Plans, West Region
UnitedHealthcare
Andrea Krisztal is a healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry and advanced degrees in Healthcare Policy and Public Health. As Vice President of Individual & Family at UnitedHealthcare, she leads with a strong focus on customers, excellence, and innovative strategies that help people live healthier lives. Andrea values servant leadership, mentorship, and fostering a culture of feedback and purpose. She lives in the foothills of Colorado with her husband, three children, and a house full of Great Danes. An avid skier and dedicated foster parent, Andrea brings heart to everything she does.
Dan LaBert
SVP, Strategic Accounts
Coventry
Dan LaBert is Senior Vice President of Strategic Accounts at Coventry, where he builds partnerships with life insurance carriers and industry organizations to expand consumer solutions and market access. Previously, he served as CEO of the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA), transforming it into one of the industry’s most influential trade groups. A longtime association executive and strategic leader, LaBert has led national organizations across financial services and advocacy, consistently driving growth, membership engagement, and industry collaboration. Known for connecting carriers, distributors, and advisors, he focuses on innovation, consumer value, and the evolving role of insurance distribution in today’s retirement and Medicare marketplace.
Lisa LaMagna
Strategy Lead
Generations Now
Lisa LaMagna is the Strategy Lead and CEO of Generations Now, a Sales, Enrollment and Marketing Consulting firm specializing in PACE. She works closely with inside sales and field enrollment teams to evangelize PACE to consumers and referral partners. Generations Now runs Age in Place Health, a website that educates consumers about PACE and earns an inside view on consumer attitudes about PACE compared to other healthcare plans.
Greg LaManna
Chief Duals Integration Officer
Wellcare
Greg LaManna is a senior healthcare executive with nearly 20 years of experience leading strategy, operations, and innovation across Medicare, Medicaid, and Duals programs. He currently serves as Senior Vice President & Head of Medicare Market Performance at Centene, where he drives enterprise-wide strategies to improve organizational performance and care delivery and outcomes for Medicare populations. Previously, Greg was President & CEO of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Ohio Medicaid, managing a $3.1 billion dollar health plan that consistently exceeded financial, operational, and quality goals while building best-in-class regulatory and community partnerships. Greg holds a B.S. in Political Science and Philosophy from Florida State University and a Master of Public Health in Healthcare Organizations and Management from the University of South Florida. He lives in Sylvania, OH with his wife, Shauna and his boys, Gavin and Garrett.
Dr. Allen Lee
CEO
Senior Life Pharmacy
Dr. Lee initially received his Bachelor of Science and a master’s degree in
architecture with associated studies in Business and Finance at Georgia Tech. He graduated from Mercer Medical School and completed an Emergency Medicine Residency through the University of Florida at Shands in Jacksonville. He founded and is CEO of Southland and Executive Director of Senior Life Pharmacy. Southland is a physician-owned and -operated healthcare group offering operational management and provider staffing across a wide spectrum of services, including Emergency Medicine, Hospitalist Medicine, Outpatient/Ambulatory Care,
and Behavioral Health. Southland currently has more than 700 providers across 75+ programs in the Southeast. It is now the 25 th largest Hospital staffing company in the United States. As an Emergency Department physician, he has seen the negative effects firsthand of patients that are not able to comply with the medication regimen leading to poor health outcomes, including worsening medical conditions, an increase in comorbidities, and death. Dr. Lee founded Senior Life Pharmacy to improve medication compliance. Members of Senior Life Pharmacy receive their medications pre-sorted according to Dr. directions into daily packets, shipped to their doors free of additional cost. Poor adherence is associated with reduced quality of life, disease progression, mortality and increased healthcare cost. The new pharmacy model at Senior Life both make things simpler for patients while also improving compliance directly impacting their health.
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.
Nicole LePetri
Director Of Health Public Policy & Engagement
NABIP
Nicole LePetri, MPH, is NABIP’s Director of Health Policy & Engagement, where she leads federal legislative and regulatory strategy. She works closely with members and policymakers to advance affordable, high-quality healthcare. Her background spans North Carolina Medicaid, public health nonprofits, and financial services, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective to her work. Nicole leverages this diverse experience to inform policy development, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and support NABIP’s mission of improving access to coverage and care.
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.
Alexander Liebergall
Compliance Director
InsureMe Inc.
Alexander A. Liebergall has 10+ years of experience in insurance/regulatory, health, and Medicare compliance. He holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Public Health from Drexel University. Currently, he is the Compliance Director and Compliance & Privacy Officer for Ideal Concepts, Inc. –– an insurance technology and administrative services company located in Allentown, PA –– and its affiliates, including InsureMe, Inc., an insurance agency licensed throughout the United States market and sell heath, Medicare, life, and P&C insurance. He is responsible for overseeing all compliance, privacy, telesales oversight/quality assurance, contracting, and other legal and regulatory functions for these companies
Colin Logue
Medicare Director
Compass Insurance Advisors
Colin Logue is the Owner and CEO of Utah Avenue Insurance and serves as the Medicare Director for Compass Insurance Advisors. With 18 years of industry experience, Colin is a recognized expert in Medicare Supplements, Advantage plans, and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). He leads weekly trainings focused on regulatory shifts, AHIP certification, and plan design to keep advisors ahead of the curve. When he isn’t navigating the complexities of Medicare, Colin is navigating the open seas; a licensed Captain, he is set to sail the waters of Tahiti and Croatia this year.
Brian Luben
VP, Health Distribution
AmeriLife
Brian Luben, MBA-HCA, is a healthcare and insurance executive with more than a decade of experience in insurance distribution, healthcare operations, and growth strategy. He is the founder of Senior Health Insurance Direct, a specialized agency focused on delivering client-centered Medicare solutions. The company was acquired by AmeriLife in April 2025. Brian now serves as Vice President of Health Distribution at AmeriLife, where he oversees distribution strategy, financial performance, and partner integration across affiliates. Prior to entering the insurance industry, Brian spent over 10 years in hospital administration, holding leadership roles at University Hospitals in Cleveland and the University of South Florida, where he managed complex clinical operations, operational strategy, and multidisciplinary teams.
Evan MacGuffie
CEO
ComTrack
Evan MacGuffie built his career in the field before turning to software. In 2021 he issued $405,000 of life insurance, and in 2022 he personally closed 612 Medicare clients face-to-face. He launched MediZues in 2023 and followed it with ComTrack in 2024, a rapidly growing SaaS platform transforming how agencies track and manage commissions.
Jason Mackey
Advisor & Managing Partner
M & A Prime Benefits
Jason S. Mackey is a U.S. Air Force veteran, author, Medicare advisor, and co-founder of Medicare Blueprint Advisors in Charleston, South Carolina. After earning a top-secret security clearance while working on the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber, Jason returned home in 1998 to join his family's independent insurance agency — a firm established in 1989. He became president upon his father's retirement in 2014. Co-author of Medicare Blueprint: A Just-The-Facts Approach to Designing Your Medicare Benefits, Jason has spent over 25 years helping retirees navigate Medicare.
Suraj Manikundalam
Head Of Product
AgentySync
Suraj Manikundalam is a champion of product-led operational excellence who doesn’t shy away from the gnarly edges of insurance innovation. As Head of Product at AgentSync, Suraj blends strategic rigor and hands-on execution, steering complex product ecosystems while keeping customers—and the teams who serve them—at the center of every decision. Suraj’s background threads growth, product strategy, and insurance technology. At LEEO, as the Head of Product & Growth, he built the company’s product organization, led AI initiatives that cut manual underwriting work in half, launched products that achieved $10M+ in one year, and delivered multimillion-dollar savings to the company.
Dawn Maroney
CEO
Alignment Health Plan
With over 36 years of experience in health care, Dawn Maroney is a nationally respected leader and innovator, known for positioning health care organizations for success in the competitive and evolving Medicare, Medicaid, and underserved markets. As President of Alignment Health, Dawn oversees day-to-day operations with a strong focus on clinical performance, service excellence, sales execution, and provider engagement across all markets. Her operational leadership drives cross-functional alignment between clinical outcomes, Stars performance, digital member experience, and financial sustainability. Dawn also serves as Chief Executive Officer of Alignment Health Plan, where she drives growth and expansion through strategic leadership in sales, product development, market expansion, acquisitions, and partnership management. Dawn’s strategic mindset, operational discipline, and member-first approach continue to power Alignment Health’s mission: to lead with purpose and deliver better care for all seniors.
Micah Mathews
VP, Marketing
Messer Financial Group
Micah Mathews is the Vice President of Marketing at Messer Financial Group, Inc. He is responsible for servicing, developing, and recruiting new and established call centers for all lines of health and life insurance. Micah joined Messer in 2015 as a marketer. Prior to working for Messer Financial, he worked as an account executive for a major health insurance carrier, CoventryOne, focusing on individual health insurance which later became the Affordable Care Act. He has been in the individual health space since before the inception of the ACA and before that, worked as a field agent with New York Life selling life and annuity products. He has been on all sides of the insurance industry from being a field agent, to account executive with a national insurance carrier, to the Vice President of Marketing with a National FMO. He has over 15 years of experience in the Insurance industry with a vast knowledge of all health and life products. Micah lives in NC with his loving wife and soon to be 12-year-old daughter. He enjoys playing golf, basketball, bowling, creating video content for his aspiring content creating daughter and attending her dance recitals.
Mike Mathweg
CEO
We Know Medicare
Mike Mathweg is a seasoned entrepreneur and CEO of We Know Medicare, a tech-focused FMO built by an agent for agents. After being fired from a corporate job, he discovered his entrepreneurial drive, building and exiting insurance businesses for multiple millions before age 30. Through We Know Medicare, Mike helps agents transform a hobby into a scalable, sellable business while also guiding them through mergers and acquisitions to maximize value. His direct, no-nonsense approach emphasizes discipline, balance, and the relentless pursuit of freedom.
Tim Matthews
Director Of Growth, West
The Baldwin Group
Tim Matthews brings 16 years of healthcare leadership experience with a strong track record driving growth across Medicare Advantage, DSNP, PACE, and the ACA Marketplace. He has led high‑performing sales organizations, scaled call center operations, strengthened broker channels, and delivered more than $1B in annual revenue impact. Known for his consumer‑first mindset, Tim focuses on building sustainable growth models that elevate both member experience and agent performance. Based in Boise, Idaho, he enjoys traveling, discovering new food experiences, and spending time outdoors hiking with his dogs, playing pickleball, golfing, and finding any excuse to be near the ocean.
Kevin Mayeux
CEO
NAIFA
Kevin M. Mayeux, CAE, has served as the CEO of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors since 2015. Founded in 1890, NAIFA is the oldest and largest association for insurance and financial professionals in the United States. Mayeux was a driving force behind the association’s integration of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and Life Happens, NAIFA’s industry-leading professional development and consumer outreach communities. He led successful initiatives to strengthen and modernize the association’s structure, governance, and financial footing. Mayeux is a recognized thought leader who regularly speaks at insurance and financial services events; meets with and testifies before federal lawmakers and executive branch policymakers; and serves as an expert source for media outlets, including MarketWatch, InvestmentNews, and Advisor Magazine.
Blake McCoy
Executive Director, Health
The Baldwin Group
The Baldwin Group Health 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 23 years of experience in the Medicare/Health industry, Blake has managed every aspect of the business including building an FMO/NMA 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 and exploring new cultures.. The Baldwin Group Health is headquartered in Tampa, FL, with a sales hub in Charlotte and 20+ offices nationwide. The Baldwin Group 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. Dwane is also the recipient of the NABIP 2026 Spirit of Freedom Award-- a prestigious, national honor for legislative and regulatory advocacy.
Rogelyn D. McLean
Senior Advisor, Center For Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight
Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
ROGELYN “ROG” MCLEAN is a Senior Advisor & Chief Legal Strategist for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Center for Consumer Information & Insurance Oversight (CCIIO). She brings to her role over 20 years of legal and policy experience, including work in private sector law firms and serving as in-house counsel. In her role at CCIIO, Rog works hand-in-hand with national health care leadership and agency policy teams on issues relevant to overseeing American Health Benefits Exchanges and health insurance issuers offering coverage in the individual and small group markets. Prior to joining CCIIO in 2019, she served as a senior attorney in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the General Counsel where she was responsible for advising CCIIO on the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its historical health reforms. Rog also served as in-house counsel at Tyco Healthcare (d/b/a Covidien) and as a Counsel in the Healthcare and Government Contracts Groups of Crowell & Moring. Rog received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was a Morehead-Cain Scholar, and earned her J.D., cum laude, from the North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Brendan McLoughlin
President
E123
Brendan McLoughlin, President and Chief Marketing Officer, has over 30 years of professional experience, with deep experience in executive leadership, product innovation, and data-driven marketing and sales strategies. Prior to joining Enrollment123, he served as interim CEO for Beauty Quest Group and CEO of Learner’s Digest International (LDI) after the company’s acquisition by Wolters Kluwer. In this role, Brendan led the digital transformation of the company into a technology-enabled provider of mobile medical education. Prior to LDI Brendan was the GM of Consumer Products at Discus Dental, a medical device company owned by Phillips, and was previously VP Marketing at Teleflora and a Group Product Director at Johnson & Johnson. Brendan has a B.S. from Virginia Tech in Decision Science and an MBA from The Wharton Business School.
Kevin Mechtley
President
SILAC Insurance Company
Kevin brings more than 20 years of annuity industry experience across a number of carriers and firms. He recently took a new role as incoming President at SILAC Insurance Company where he will oversee distribution, product development and marketing for the company. Previously, he held roles as Growth Officer and Chief Innovation Officer at Sammons Financial Group while also leading the Business Development function for the independent channel. Kevin has held multiple leadership positions within trade organizations such as NAFA, IRI and ACLI He also has a history in government relations, including representing the industry in Washington, D.C. He has deep expertise in legal, regulatory, operations, and distribution matters, and is passionate about retirement income products and the value they bring to American savers.
Joshua Meeks
VP, Individual Medicare
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Michigan
Rudy Mehl
Head Of Sales & Distribution
Farmers Life Insurance
Rudy joined Farmers Life in September 2023, as their Head of Sales and Distribution. Together the team have built Farmers Life into the 4th fastest growing midsize fixed annuity carrier. By offering competitive rates, easy to understand products and great customer service, Farmers Life will continue to assist you in securing your clients well earned retirement. Rudy has over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Prior to joining Farmers Life, he worked at another insurance carrier. Prior to that, he worked at Crump Brokerage Services as the VP of Sales for the Midwest and Western region. With his 20 years of experience in the Brokerage/IMO space he has a unique understanding of agent, IMO and carrier needs and distribution. In 1996 Rudy immigrated to the USA from South Africa. Rudy was a warrant officer in the South African police and attended the University of South Africa, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Pol Administration. Rudy lives in Salty Lake City with his lovely wife Debora and their two puppies, Jameson and Ginger. Together Debora and Rudy have 5 children.
Christopher Meier
Attorney
Greenspoon Marder LLP
Christopher P. Meier is of counsel with Greenspoon Marder LLP's Regulatory Compliance & Defense practice. With over 17 years of experience representing a variety of regulated industries, Mr. Meier represents health insurance agencies, brokers, and agents selling health insurance and health insurance-oriented services, including ACA and Medicare-related products. His practice focuses on assisting clients navigate federal and state regulatory requirements and defending clients against regulatory investigations, complaints, and consumer litigation. Mr. Meier advises on compliance frameworks spanning insurance sales, marketing practices, and related regulatory obligations. His expertise helps health insurance professionals maintain regulatory compliance while effectively marketing their businesses.
Sam Melamed
CEO
NCD
Sam Melamed is the CEO of NCD, a leading provider of stand-alone supplemental health benefits. Known for his infectious positivity and relentless drive, Sam empowers the NCD team to grow both personally and professionally. A recognized thought leader in the Medicare and ACA distribution space, Sam is an unapologetic insurance nerd with deep expertise in Medicare, ACA, and group benefits. His passion for insurance innovation is evident in his leadership and industry influence. Beyond NCD, Sam is the founder of Insurance Forums, the world’s largest insurance community, and an active investor in insurtech and healthtech.
Grace Merrill
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.
Lindsey Miller
Director Of Market Strategy
Softheon
Lindsey Miller has a 15+ year track record of optimizing operational processes and enhancing client experiences, fostering collaboration across product, engineering, and operations teams. As the Health Plan Solutions Director, she leads the development and continuous improvement of Softheon’s flagship offerings — including W3LL Broker Agency Cloud, ICHRA Cloud, and Medicare solution — by gathering deep insights from senior client leaders, defining effective governance, and driving cross‑functional collaboration.
Zach Miller
CRO
Vanillasoft
Zach Miller, CRO, is responsible for overseeing Vanillasoft’s revenue generating activities. Prior to joining Vanillasoft, Zach served as the Vice President of Sales at Highspot, where he managed a revenue responsibility of $26 million and oversaw a team of 35. His career at Highspot also included roles as Senior Director of North America Sales and Director of Enterprise & Strategic Sales, contributing significantly to the company's growth during his tenure.Zach’s background includes a strong emphasis on sales strategy and leadership, with previous experience as Regional Vice President of Sales at Paycom, where he was responsible for a revenue target of $24 million and managed a large sales team. His extensive experience in sales leadership positions reflects his capability in driving business success and strategic growth initiatives.
James Mills
CEO & Founder
Ironvest Financial Partners
James Mills is a seasoned sales executive, impact-driven entrepreneur, and AI evangelist who’s worked with Fortune 500s, top broker-dealers, and high-growth startups. With a background spanning financial services, nonprofit leadership, and grassroots organizing, James blends real-world hustle with cutting-edge technology. He’s the founder of multiple ventures, including a growing BGA focused on AI-powered sales enablement. When he’s not building businesses, he’s training agents, advising nonprofits, and speaking on how AI can make our work more human, not less.
David Minaya
Principal/SVP
Senior Healthcare Direct
Oscar Mink
Life Insurance Director
Compass Insurance Advisors
Oscar W. Mink has been a leader in the insurance and financial services industry since 1975 and formally licensed since 1981. He brings over 45 years of experience to his role as Life and Annuity Director at Compass Insurance Advisors. His career includes serving as President of a national IMO with more than 5,000 producers, Chairman and Board Member, and building and selling three full-service insurance agencies, most recently completing a sale in 2026. Oscar also spent seven years in banking insurance, has taught extensive LUTC, CFP, and CLU/ChFC coursework, served as NAIFA chapter president, and resides in Mapleton, Utah with his family.
Dean Mohs is the Director of the Division of Strategic Stakeholder Engagement & Operations at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). He supervises the agency’s Agent/Broker Business Operations Team for the under 65/ACA Individual Marketplace. He also supervises internal and external stakeholder engagement and strategy regarding Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements. Dean joined CMS in 2012 after serving as Vice President of Insurance Services at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. Prior to his work at the Brooklyn Chamber, Dean was Director of Private Health Insurance Initiatives for the City of New York and a senior health care analyst at the Government Accountability Office in Washington, DC. Originally from Minnesota, Dean holds Masters Degrees in Public Administration and Social Work from the University of Minnesota. He was a licensed insurance broker while at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.
JC Moreno
National Director Of ACA
AmeriLife
Juan Carlos (JC) Moreno is the National Sales Director for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) & U65 Products at AmeriLife, bringing over two decades of experience in business and sales leadership. Prior to joining AmeriLife, JC held key roles in ACA-focused organizations, including director-level positions in sales and business development. He has trained and mentored thousands of agents across the Under-65 landscape and is known for his deep understanding of both frontline challenges and the evolving legislative environment. JC offers a strategic perspective on how ACA can drive long-term growth.
Sas Mukherjee
President
Catalyst Solutions
Glen Mulready
Commissioner
Oklahoma Department Of Insurance
Glen Mulready serves as Oklahoma’s 13th insurance commissioner. He was recently unopposed in his bid for reelection. He began his second term as insurance commissioner in 2023. A former state legislator and longtime insurance professional, Glen was first elected to the state-wide position in 2019. His background includes eight years as a state representative, where he quickly became the point person for the House of Representatives on insurance issues. Glen passed legislation that expanded insurance options and resulted in more insurance companies offering services in the state. Seeking to improve the Oklahoma business climate, Glen sponsored the Insurance Business Transfer (IBT) Act, now law and is recognized as one of the most innovative pieces of insurance legislation nationally. As Commissioner, Glen has brought a business-like, bottom-line approach to budgeting and management of the Insurance Department. He continues to focus on providing a strong and competitive market to give Oklahomans choices when shopping for products to meet their family’s needs.
Patrick Murphy
CEO & President
LeadScorz
Pat Murphy is the Co-Founder & CEO of LeadScorz Inc, his latest venture in a 40-year entrepreneurial career creating and marketing innovative business applications across several verticals, including financial services, healthcare, education and gaming. Pat is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Lead Quality Alliance (https://leadqualityalliance.org), a non-profit Business League serving member companies in the lead generation and Consumer marketing sectors. The LQA has gained recognition as a proponent of Consumer protections and empowerment - promoting transparency, integrity and regulatory compliance in the marketing practices of its member organizations.
Josh Musick
CEO
Medicare School
Josh Musick is the CEO of MedicareSchool.com, an LOA brokerage focused on Medicare education and enrollment. Over the last 5 years his team has built a 65,000-client book by prioritizing clear content, strong retention, and disciplined, data-driven decision making. Their work centers on helping beneficiaries make confident choices while building efficient growth—maximizing lifetime value and constantly wrestling the ad networks for lower acquisition costs.
James Napoli
Managing Partner
Diceros Law
James Napoli is the founder and Managing Partner of Diceros Law PLLC. He has over 30 years’ experience counseling brokers/agents, employer groups, and vendors who operate within the healthcare industry. He is an award winning author and speaker, having written two books on the ACA. James is known to be a legal technician who thinks outside of the box to achieve results that often seem unachievable. Whether it is defending agents/brokers against actions taken by CMS or one or more state DOIs or handling high stakes matters impacting agencies and employer groups, James has a proven track record of success.
Veronica Neal
President
Keystone Advisors
Veronica Neal is the Founder and CEO of Keystone Advisors, a Houston-based Health Insurance Brokerage and business process outsourcing (BPO) firm serving Independent agents, Health plans, HealthCare Systems, Municipalities and Community organizations. She leads the Keystone Ecosystem - encompassing of Keystone Advisors, Health Alliance and Keystone Coalition focused on scalable enrollment, population health engagement, and data-driven service delivery. Known for combining operational discipline with community impact. Veronica has built partnerships with agents, health systems and payers while advancing initiatives that expand healthcare access, improve member engagement, and support diverse business growth.
Jo Nelson
VP, Sales
AGA, An Integrity Company
Jo Nelson is an accomplished leader and Sales Executive with a distinguished career spanning multiple industries. From decades in the Fashion Retail and Wholesale space, she transitioned seamlessly to the Insurance Industry. Her experience uniquely positions her within the executive landscape, having led initiatives on both the carrier side of the insurance business and for the last 4 years as the Vice President of Sales for Applied General Agency. Throughout her career Jo has demonstrated a consistent ability to drive growth, build high-performing teams and deliver measurable results. This breadth of experience provides her with a comprehensive understanding of strategy. Distribution, and organizational leadership. Her leadership philosophy centers around empowering people, fostering accountability, and creating sustainable success.
Peter Nelson
Deputy Administrator & Director Of The Center For Consumer Information And Insurance Oversight (CCIIO)
Centers For Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Peter J. Nelson is the CMS Deputy Administrator and CCIIO Director. He is a former Senior Policy Fellow at Center of the American Experiment where he focused his attention on the intersection of state and national health care policy. He is a leading expert on the Affordable Care Act and health insurance regulation. From late 2017 until 2021, he served as a Senior Advisor to the CMS Administrator. Nelson received a B.A. in economics from Wheaton College and a law degree from the University of Minnesota Law School where he was a member of the Minnesota Law Review.
Patrick Neubert
Commander
U.S. Public Health Service
CDR Patrick Neubert, US Public Health Service, serves as the Opioid Rapid Response Coordinator for HHS Office of Inspector General. He alerts state health authorities and insurance partners about clinic closures from law enforcement actions, coordinating federal responses to maintain patient care continuity and reduce overdose risks.
He is a recognized expert in healthcare claims analysis, he previously spent nine years at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Center for Program Integrity, ultimately serving as Acting Director of Provider Investigations and Audits.
CDR Neubert has deployed for COVID-19 surges, unaccompanied children influx, Operation Allies Welcome, Southern Guard, and Hurricanes Irma and Maria. He is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker.
Alexandra Nguyen
Senior Leader Of FMO Distribution
Florida Blue
With over 15 years of proven success as a sales leader in the health insurance industry, Alexandra Nguyen (Alex) is a visionary professional known for driving revenue growth and building high-performance sales teams. Alex has a track record of exceeding targets and establishing strong relationships with clients and partners in the healthcare sector. Alex is a strategic thinker with a deep understanding of market trends and consumer behavior, allowing her to develop innovative sales strategies that deliver results. She is passionate about leading and inspiring her team to achieve their full potential and is dedicated to providing top-notch service to clients. Alex is a trusted leader in the industry, committed to excellence and driving success in the ever-evolving world of health insurance sales.
Aaron Niedorf
EVP Of Sales
IFC National Marketing, An Integrity Company
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.
Vipan Nikore, MD
CEO
Homecare Hub
Vipan Nikore, MD, MBA, FACP is a former IBM software developer turned internal medicine physician. He is the CEO and co-founder of Homecare Hub, and tech enabled services platform that curates and accelerates the creation of small, residential housing homes that serve as a discharge platform for hospitals and health plans. He is also the Chief Medical Director for TD Bank, overseeing the health and wellness of their ~100,000 global employees. He is an internal medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic and Trillium Health Partners,and an Assistant Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine. He previously was the medical director for the Dept of Medicine at Credit Valley Hospital, co-course director for MIT’s Global Health Informatics course, and as a medical student founded the youth empowerment non-profit uFLOW.
Dr. Nikore completed his internal medicine residency at Cleveland Clinic, MD at the University of Illinois-Chicago, MBA at Yale, and BSc in computer science at the University of Western Ontario. He is the former winner of Canada’s top 40 under 40 award, and a winner of the American College of Physicians Laureate Award.
Theresa “Missy” Nitescu, MS, RDN
COO
Northeast Valley Health Corporation
Theresa “Missy” Nitescu is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC), a non-profit, Joint Commission accredited (PCMH certified) FQHC (est. 1973) with 18 health centers located in north LA county in CA. With over 38 years of experience in CHC health care administration, Ms. Nitescu oversees all aspects of ambulatory care operations including health center performance, compliance, and profitability, staffing, program design/implementation and capital/construction/renovation projects for the health centers. Ms. Nitescu is a registered dietitian having completed a dietetic internship at UMDNJ in Newark, New Jersey. She holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY-Plattsburgh and a master’s degree from California State University, Northridge. She is a certified lactation educator and a certified health safety professional. She has achieved green belt certification through Joint Commission for robust process improvement. Ms. Nitescu currently serves on the board of Valley Care Community Consortium (VCCC), was most recently an appointed commissioner and past co--chair of the Community Prevention and Population Health Task Force for LA County, is Co-Chair of the COO Roundtable for the Community Clinic Association of LA County (CCALAC). Ms. Nitescu also works as a part time FQHC health administration consultant.
B. Ronnell Nolan, HIA
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.
Rohit Nuwal
Partner
TELUS Global Ventures
Rohit Nuwal is a Partner at TELUS Global Ventures (TGV), Canada's largest (100+ investments till date) and the most active CVC. As a part of a global fund with AUM of ~1Bn, he is leading investments in Healthtech, as well as supporting coverage of other innovative foundational technologies. An exp VC, he helps portfolio companies with their strategy agendas and growth initiatives. Prior to joining TGV, Rohit was leading the investments for Bertelsmann. Previously, he spent close to half a decade as a management consultant with BCG & Accenture. India raised, Rohit is an avid yoga practitioner and is also a certified yoga trainer.
Traci O'Brien
Owner
Senior Insurance Consultants
Traci O’Brien is co-owner of Senior Insurance Consultants with her husband Christopher Wojtusik. With 20 years of experience in the insurance space, Traci made the move from agent to agency owner in 2018. She is a huge fan of grassroots marketing and rolling up her sleeves and getting out into the field with her agents with a soft spot for the Dual Special Needs population. SIC is licensed in 30+ states with over 100 writing agents. Traci has a BS in Health Care Administration and lives in CT with her husband and son Augustus. Their daughter Isabella is now a producing agent with SIC.
Kim O'Brien
CEO
The Federation Of Americans For Consumer Choice (FACC)
Kim is FACC’s CEO and has over 35 years of experience in the insurance industry. Kim served as CEO of leading industry trade associations for almost 20 years and led the organizations to major fixed annuity legislative and public policy victories. Before that, Kim served over 25 years as a leader in annuity and life product development for major insurance carriers building annuity and life sales and awareness. Kim O'Brien received her BA from Ripon College and an MBA from Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin with a dual emphasis in Economics and English. Kim also has an MFA from UNC in dance and has recently earned her Paralegal certification. She lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her college sweetheart and husband of 48 years. They love hiking their backyard mountains with their three Irish setters.
Sandra Ochoa
CEO & Founder
Vemax Insurance Agency
Sandra is the Founder & CEO of Vemax Insurance Agency, where she leads a community-focused brokerage dedicated to expanding access to Medicare Advantage, ACA, supplemental, and retirement protection solutions. With over a decade of experience as a Healthcare Executive Advisor and insurance leader, she brings a unique provider-and-payer perspective—building scalable growth strategies, educating seniors and caregivers, and supporting brokers and provider partners with member engagement and retention to protect and grow their book of business. She also equips brokers with the training, marketing, and technology needed to thrive and drive lasting impact in their communities.
Alberto Ochoa
CEO
SBI Benefits
Alberto Ochoa is the CEO of SBI Benefits, a fast-growing national Field Marketing Organization dedicated to helping Medicare agents and agencies modernize and scale their businesses. Leveraging strategic partnerships with platforms like Spark Advisors, Alberto has built systems that combine automation, client servicing, and marketing to drive growth and retention. He has helped recruit and develop agents and agencies across multiple states, focusing on real-world strategies that increase production while reducing workload. Known for his direct and results-driven approach, Alberto is committed to redefining how independent agents and agencies grow in an increasingly competitive Medicare market.
JillAllison Opell
Partner
Foley & Lardner LLP
JillAllison Opell is a partner and insurance lawyer with Foley & Lardner LLP. JillAllison’s regulatory experience includes advising clients on Holding Company Act issues including acquisitions, intercompany agreements and investment laws, as well as compliance, licensing, Affordable Care Act, and Medicare/Medicaid issues. She has counselled private equity funds, insurers, reinsurers, producers and other insurance industry professionals, helping to achieve compliance, obtain transaction approval and develop new products. Always monitoring and analyzing the latest regulatory developments, she assists clients with state legislative updates and regulatory investigations. JillAllison is ranked in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the practice area of Insurance: Transactional & Regulatory.
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.
Duncan Orrell-Jones
CEO & Co-Founder
Camino Mobility
Nick Ortner
Senior Consulting Actuary
Milliman
Nick Ortner is a Principal and Consulting Health Actuary with Milliman, providing exceptional service and guidance to clients over 20+ years of consulting. Nick leverages his expertise from consulting and insurance company backgrounds to drive results for MA and MedSupp clients. He delivers actionable insights through presentations and publications on topics including financial performance, innovation, underwriting, sales/marketing, and consumer protections. Nick partners closely with a diverse range of organizations and markets, tailoring solutions to each client’s needs. He actively participates in industry meetings with company leadership, regulators, and other experts, collaborating to address emerging issues and deliver value.
Ben Pajak
CEO
HealthPlanOne
Benjamin Pajak is the CEO of HealthPlanOne (HPOne), a leading data-driven engagement platform dedicated to addressing the needs of seniors and those who care for them. Powered by purpose-built technology, proprietary lead generation, and deep analytical insights, HPOne assists individuals in navigating the complexities of insurance through personalized guidance and curated solutions. Today, HPOne serves millions of consumers each year and supports its carrier partners in acquiring, activating, engaging, and retaining healthcare customers for life. Before leading HPOne, Ben managed Willis Towers Watson’s efforts in the individual marketplace within the employer and direct-to-consumer sectors for over ten years. As an experienced and widely respected healthcare insurance executive, he played a key role in acquiring and leading several companies in the senior health insurance segment.
Angela Palo
COO & Co-Owner
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.
Michael Pane
Owner
The Pane Agency
Michael Pane is the Founder of The Pane Agency and a Licensed ReFIREment Specialist, dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate Medicare, health insurance, life insurance, and retirement planning with clarity and confidence. With over 15 years of experience in sales, service, and leadership, Michael blends deep subject-matter expertise with a human-first approach that makes complex decisions simple. Through education, community engagement, and forward-thinking strategies, he empowers clients to align their health and wealth for long-term security. Michael’s passion is equipping people to make confident choices for life’s next chapter—without the stress or confusion.
Mike Papuc
Health National Sales Director
The Brokerage
Mike Papuc is the National Health Sales Director at The Brokerage, Inc., supporting over 2,000 agents and 160 agencies nationwide. He specializes in the Affordable Care Act, ancillary products, and helping agents grow consistent, sustainable, and compliant books of business. Outside of work, he’s also a husband, father of two, and firm believer that strong relationships, service, and follow-through matter just as much as results.
Ed Park
CEO & Co-Founder
Devoted Health
Throughout his career, Ed has been a leader in healthcare innovation, utilizing advanced technology to enhance transparency, efficiency and equity in healthcare delivery. Prior to founding Devoted Health, Ed played a pivotal role at AthenaHealth as it evolved from a basement startup to a leading electronic health record vendor listed on the NASDAQ. He helped develop the fundamental patent for AthenaHealth’s business model (US Patent #7,617,116) and personally authored over half a million lines of code. During his tenure, Ed served as an Executive Vice President, Chief Technology Officer, Chief Operating Officer and President of Services of AthenaHealth. He retired from AthenaHealth to join its board before he co-founded Devoted. In addition to his contribution at AthenaHealth, Ed has also been actively involved in various industry groups, advocating for interoperability between systems to facilitate seamless data use for continuity of care. Ed has held board positions at Kyruus, Castlight Health and Healthpoint, who have drawn on his expertise in leveraging technology for healthcare delivery.
Melanie Parks
VP Of National Field Sales
Longbridge Financial
Melanie Parks has been helping senior homeowners achieve financial security through utilizing Home Equity since 2003, initially as a top-producing loan officer in San Diego and later as a leader building sales teams for major lenders across the nation. She emphasizes borrower education to dispel misconceptions and supports her teams by leveraging strengths and removing obstacles. Since 2022, she serves as Vice President at Longbridge Financial, implementing a National Field Sales Division focused on Home Equity release products. Outside work, she enjoys family life and relaxing at the beach.
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
VP, Sales Enablement & Tech Adoption
Integrity
Anna Patrick is Vice President of Sales Enablement & Technology Adoption, partnering with agents and agencies to modernize the Medicare sales experience through practical, scalable technology. With deep expertise in agent workflows and the Medicare market, she focuses on embedding technology directly into the sales process to help producers work smarter, move faster, and grow efficiently. Anna leads initiatives that drive real-world technology adoption, bridging the gap between powerful tools and day-to-day agent behavior. Working cross-functionally with sales, marketing, and technology teams, she designs solutions that simplify quoting, enrollment, follow-up, and client management—enabling agents to spend more time selling and less time navigating systems.
Steve Patton
SVP Simplified 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.
Eric Pederson
Chief Business Development Officer
Integrity
As Chief Business Development Officer, Eric leads Integrity's mergers and acquisitions, and other inorganic and institutional partnership-related activities across Integrity's Life, Health, and Wealth segments. He develops and executes long-term strategic themes for the company, capital allocation plans, and identifies new business and market opportunities. Eric joined Integrity in 2017 and during his tenure has completed hundreds of partnerships while driving the formation of Integrity's Wealth and Institutional segments. Based in Dallas, Eric, his wife Jane, and their dog Fred are avid travelers and supporters of various philanthropic causes dear to them.
Amanda Pennington
VP, Sales Enablement
UnitedHealthcare
Dawn Perez-Slavinski
Member
Bass, Berry & Sims
Dawn Perez‑Slavinski counsels organizations across the managed care ecosystem on complex regulatory and compliance matters critical to operating in an increasingly scrutinized environment. Drawing on her background at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the General Counsel and her program integrity work for CMS, she supports investors, plans, providers, and marketing organizations in addressing evolving legal requirements, enforcement trends, and operational challenges. Dawn provides practical, risk‑centered guidance that aligns legal strategy with business objectives and emerging policy developments.
Graylon Perkins
VP Of Lead Performance
Qualfon
Graylon Perkins is Vice President of Lead Performance for Qualfonr, where he leads innovation in lead generation for the senior market. With a background in operations, sales, and marketing, Graylon specializes in building scalable, compliant acquisition strategies across mail, email, and digital channels. He has helped modernize legacy lead systems while launching next-gen platforms like Kramer Konnect and Medicare Harbor. At the intersection of data, technology, and performance, Graylon focuses on helping agents and carriers grow efficiently. He brings a pragmatic, ROI-driven approach to solving complex distribution challenges in the insurance space.
Carmen Perry
VP Of Provider Engagement
Paradigm Senior Services
Carmen Perry has over 20 years of experience in the senior care industry and more than a decade dedicated to supporting our nation’s veterans. She serves as Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Aging in Place Council, is a member of the VA Advisory Council for the Home Care Association of America and sits on the editorial board of the CSA Journal. Carmen is a recognized leader in long-term care and home care, with a passion for advancing resources and solutions for older adults and their families.
Holly Perry
COO & Co-Founder
Great Vista
Holly Perry is a healthcare leader with experience in ACA, Medicare, and a professional background as a social worker serving individuals and families navigating complex systems. She is the Co-Founder of Great Vista, serves on the Executive Board of Health Agents for America (HAFA), and helps lead growth, agent development, and operational strategy within the industry. Holly currently serves as a relationship builder with WellthCare, partnering with agents and businesses to expand access to quality coverage. She is passionate about advocacy, empowering agents, and strengthening the future of healthcare distribution through meaningful, strategic relationships.
Jeff Piotrowski
CCO
CSG
Jeff Piotrowski serves as Chief Customer Officer at Customer Solutions Group, where he leads customer-first strategies across acquisition, experience, and retention. Since joining CSG in late 2024, he has focused on strengthening client partnerships, optimizing lead generation, and advancing data-driven approaches that help insurers better connect with and convert high-intent consumers. With deep expertise in the sales data ecosystem, Jeff drives measurable outcomes for clients while elevating the customer experience. He is a frequent industry speaker and holds a B.S. in Finance from Penn State.
Marissa Plescia
Reporter
MedCity News
Marissa Plescia is a reporter for MedCity News covering payers, employers and health tech. She is also the host of the MedCity FemFwd podcast. She previously worked at Becker’s Hospital Review as a finance reporter. Before that, she was a data journalism intern at Kansas City PBS for the Dow Jones News Fund. She received her Master of Science and Bachelor of Science in journalism at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Naama Pozniak
CEO & Founder
Meet Naama O. Pozniak, a creative powerful force with the mind of a rock star, heart of a healer, and generosity of an avid volunteer—blending Eastern wisdom and Western grit as a mother, Author, lifelong yogi, Primordial Sound Meditation coach, NFT artist, collector, author, and radical speaker. Born an artist, she rekindled her creative fire through Web3, curating communities for women/men and mental health. As Founder/CEO of Paz Holding, Inc./RightPlan.com—a 360-degree agency for benefits—she leads by example, infusing AI, telemedicine, and mindfulness into transformative real health. Honored as 2019 Wellness Adviser of the Year, NABIP Distinguished Service recipient, 2016-17 Most Influential Woman in Benefits, and 2024 BenefitsPRO Luminary, she volunteers on CAHIP-LA and BJE boards —let's spark soulful innovation!
Christina Ragone
SVP, Health Distribution Operations
AmeriLife
Christina "Chris" Ragone serves as Senior Vice President, Health Distribution Operations at AmeriLife, where she leads enterprise-wide shared services adoption and integration initiatives across the company's Health Distribution network. In this role, Chris partners with Enterprise teams to align data and technology roadmaps, standardize processes, and drive the disciplined execution of strategic priorities as AmeriLife continues to scale. Chris brings deep operational and strategic expertise to the role, having previously served as Chief of Staff for AmeriLife’s Health Distribution. In this role, she worked closely with C-suite leadership to advance core growth objectives, overseeing a multi-functional team focused on process optimization, data management, and technology integration — fostering alignment across cross-functional teams and AmeriLife's affiliate partners.
Don Rahn
Insurance & Financial Services, Practice Lead
Canidium, LLC
After a nearly 20-year career as a leader in actuarial, underwriting and finance operations for a regional health insurance carrier, Don Rahn brought his industry expertise to Canidium in 2014 to build a consulting and software implementation practice dedicated to distribution management in this highly regulated industry. Don has assisted dozens of carriers to successfully automate producer management, compliance, commissions payment and reporting for their external distribution channels.
Sulekha Ramayya
COO
EvolveNXT
Sulekha Ramayya currently serves as Chief Operating Officer of EvolveNXT, the leading sales channel management software for insurance carriers and brokers. Prior to EvolveNXT, Sulekha was Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Finance at ServiceTitan, where she led the company's IPO process. Sulekha began her career as an investment banking analyst at Goldman Sachs and as a private equity investor at KKR. She recently graduated from the Stanford Graduate School of Business as an Arjay Miller Scholar. She is a proud Trojan, having graduated from the University of Southern California as the University Valedictorian with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. In her free time, Sulekha is a fan of international adventure travel, loves skiing on groomers, enjoys cooking and trying plant-based cuisine, and is working to hone her pickleball skills.
Richard Rash
Owner
Health Options USA
Ricky Rash entered the Medicare industry in 2010 after nearly 20 years in real estate lending. He began his second career with UnitedHealthcare of South Florida, where he helped develop and operate the company’s first IMO. After several successful years, he and his partner launched their own full-service FMO. Today, Ricky co-owns an agency serving more than 20,000 Medicare and ACA clients while personally advising nearly 1,500 individuals. Through proven systems and technology, he continues to grow his personal book of business while overseeing daily agency operations.
Kehinde Rayemo
Research Analyst
CMS
Kehinde Rayemo is a research analyst that has been with the Marketplace agent/broker operations team for four years. She is a team lead for CMS’ engagement efforts with Marketplace large agencies and organizes the annual AB Marketplace Meetup in-person event. Kehinde’s activities on the team also include monitoring agent/broker behaviors in the Marketplace, identifying emerging trends and patterns, conducting research, analyzing data, conducting outreach calls, and supporting the policy team.
Paul Richardson
CEO & Co-Founder
Tumbleweed
Paul H. Richardson, Jr. is the Founder and CEO of Tumbleweed, a platform helping families navigate aging, caregiving, and legacy planning while enabling carriers and partners to better support their members. With over 20 years of experience across healthcare and innovation, including leadership roles at CVS Health, Hoag Health, and Brightwood College, Paul brings a practical and human-centered perspective to the industry. He is also the host of the Sandwichedpodcast, amplifying real caregiver experiences. His work is shaped by his own journey as a caregiver, driving his mission to improve how we support families through life’s most important moments.
Sam Riley
Senior Director Of Business Strategy
The Baldwin Group
Sam Riley has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, specializing in the under 65 market, ACA alternatives, supplemental and ancillary products. As Senior Director of Business Strategy, he has led large-scale agent networks, managed call centers and field agencies, and developed innovative training programs supporting thousands of agents nationwide. Sam’s expertise spans product development, implementation, and growth strategy, with a proven record of driving performance across distribution channels.
Dennis Rinner
Director Of Strategic Accounts
GoldenCare, An Integrity Company
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, An Integrity Company
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.
Stephen Rivera
COO & Founder
Slate
Stephen Rivera is the COO and Co-Founder of Slate, a national hybrid FMO dedicated to empowering both field sales and call center operations. Slate focuses on building scalable distribution strategies that bridge traditional agents and agencies with modern, high performance solutions. Stephen also serves as the CEO of Agency Direct Consulting Group, where he advises organizations on growth strategy, operational efficiency, and revenue optimization through the field and call center distribution model. With over 16 years of experience in the Medicare industry, Stephen has held leadership positions at healthcare organizations, including Humana, Elevance Health, and UnitedHealthcare. His background spans sales leadership, distribution development, and strategic partnerships, giving him a comprehensive understanding of both carrier and agency side dynamics.
Greg Robbins
CEO
Synergy Insurance Affiliates
Gregory Robbins is the Chief Executive Officer of Synergy Insurance Affiliates, where he leads a network of over 100 agencies nationwide across the Medicare, ACA, and group health markets. With over a decade of experience in the insurance industry, he has grown Synergy into a technology-driven organization, building proprietary tools and marketing systems that support scalable, compliant growth for its partners. Known for his hands-on approach and strong work ethic, Gregory has focused on creating practical solutions that agencies can use to improve performance and stay competitive. His work centers on developing the systems and infrastructure agencies need to increase production, run more efficiently, and scale effectively.
Brad Rocque
VP, Enterprise Accounts
EHealth
Brad Rocque is Vice President of Enterprise Accounts at eHealth, a leading private online health insurance marketplace. In this role, Brad helps lead the eHealth sales, strategy, and operations teams serving employers of all sizes, with a focus on helping companies that have adopted an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA).
He has over 20 years of experience leading sales, customer service and operations teams, and is routinely a featured speaker discussing health benefit trends for employers and individuals. Brad holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Boston University. He is based near Chicago.
Kimberly Rodriguez
CEO
Medicare Mentors Club
Kimberly Rodriguez is the founder and principal of Coverage2Care, an independent Medicare-focused agency launched in 2015 after more than 20 years in the Medicare space. Beginning her career in 2006, she has worked closely with underserved communities to expand access to benefits and education. Passionate about integrity, clarity, and mentorship, Kimberly equips clients and agents with the confidence to make informed decisions and build sustainable, client-centered businesses. She is also the founder of Medicare Mentors Club, a collaborative community where resources, tools, and support are shared openly to help agents grow ethically and independently.
Priscilla Rodriguez-Colón
CEO & Founder
Arlene Assurance Marketing
Priscilla Rodriguez-Colón is the CEO and visionary founder of Arlene Assurance Marketing and Roco Health Group, and a nationally recognized leader redefining how the insurance industry serves multicultural communities. She created the first multicultural, multilingual marketing platform built specifically for Medicare, health, and life insurance agents. Her work has been featured in NABIP Magazine and selected by the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey as a business case study. A New Jersey Governor’s Volunteerism Award honoree, Priscilla serves in leadership roles within NABIP and Fox Chase Cancer Center and speaks on inclusive marketing and ethical, community driven practices.
Jonas Roeser
CEO & Co-Founder
Agent Review
Jonas Roeser is the CEO and Co-Founder of Agent Review, a platform dedicated to helping insurance agents and financial advisors grow their visibility, credibility, and client engagement online. With deep experience in digital marketing, Jonas champions tools that move professionals from being easily found to genuinely chosen by clients. He focuses on empowering agents with practical, relationship-driven strategies that combine reputation management with meaningful content, enhancing trust and local influence. Passionate about innovation and service excellence, Jonas partners with industry leaders to elevate the way advisors connect with their communities and prospects.
Rob Roney
Sales & Marketing Specialist
Rick Young & Associates
Rob Roney is currently the manager of Sales and Marketing Strategies for Rick Young Insurance Agency. Previously, He worked in the Specialty Benefits division of BCBS Michigan and had been there recruiting agents for the past 12 years. Rob has over 24 years of experience in the health insurance industry starting out his career as an individual agent in 2001 and then moved into regional manager and marketing director rolls before coming to Blue Cross and Blue Shield in August 2011 and Rick Young Insurance Services (RYIS) in August 2023. Rob has a passion for helping to educate the agent community in giving their customers ‘value’ and ‘financial protection’. Rob has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan-Flint. He is married to his lovely wife Tracy and has three beautiful little girls Payton, Paisley and Penelope.
Jaime Rosales
CEO & Founder
JAR Insurance Services
Jaime Rosales is the CEO and founder of JAR Insurance Services, a leading Medicare-focused independent insurance agency based in Southern California and licensed across 42 states nationwide. With over 30 years in the healthcare industry, Jaime has expertise in agent recruitment, training, provider marketing, and member services, shaped by leadership roles at several Health Plans.. Having been an agent himself, he understands the challenges agents face and built JAR to empower them with top-tier support, training, and resources. Under his leadership, JAR has grown into a trusted partner, helping agents thrive in an evolving Medicare landscape.
Monica Ross-Williams
Founding Principal
MRW Solutions Group
Monica Ross-Williams, MBA; LIA is the Founding Partner and Owner of MRW Solutions Group, LLC, a client-focused insurance brokerage supporting individuals, families, and small businesses with clear, practical guidance on health, life, and related coverage decisions. She also serves as Executive Director of Educate Seminar Series & Events, leading community-based education that helps residents better understand complex systems and make informed choices. Known for strong community connections and an accessible teaching style, Monica blends business leadership with public-facing advocacy and outreach. She is committed to simplifying insurance, strengthening client confidence, and scaling services through structured operations, training, and consistent, high-integrity support.
Jamie Sarno
VP, MedSupps & 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.
Andrew Saul
Regional Sales Director
Physicians Mutual
Andrew Saul is an experienced Regional Sales Director with a proven track record in the insurance industry, specializing in recruiting, training, and retaining top sales talent. Seeking to mentor, develop, and establish a high-performing team of sales representatives.
Paul Scallan
Founder
AgentzSEE
Paul Scallan is the founder of Medicare and Wellbeing and the creator of AgentzSEE (agentzsee.com), a relationship-first SaaS platform for Medicare agents and health professionals who want to grow without losing the human touch. Built from real-world agency experience, AgentzSEE blends modern automation with old-school connection—including postcards that still get read In his 20s, Paul "worked" as an actor and stuntman in Hollywood (yest he still performs unintentional stunts), which—surprisingly—prepared him well for life as an agent: adaptability, storytelling, and staying calm under pressure. Today, he’s most proud of serving his clients and being a father to two amazing daughters.
Harrison Schaefer
Lead Financial Advisor
Retirable
Harrison Schaefer, CFP® is a financial planner at Retirable, where he helps individuals and families navigate retirement with clarity and confidence. He specializes in retirement income planning, tax-efficient strategies, and long-term investment management. Harrison is passionate about simplifying complex financial decisions and building plans that align with each client’s goals and values. As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, he provides objective, fiduciary advice designed to create long-term financial security and peace of mind.
Cory Schmidt
Co-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.
Mark Seghers
CEO & Co-Founder
Inspire Health Tech
Mark Seghers is a seasoned InsurTech leader with a unique blend of carrier leadership and entrepreneurial success. As CEO of Inspire Health Tech and Co-Founder of the Insurance Marketing Coalition and Lead Quality Alliance, he drives innovation in lead generation. Inspire’s claims-based AI matches Medicare and ACA consumers to the right plan before the lead is even sold—boosting conversions and speed to sale. A well-known industry speaker and consultant, Mark is a passionate advocate for consumer-first marketing as the foundation of quality lead generation.
Jill V. Selby
SVP, Marketing
Regal Medical Group
Jill Selby is a seasoned healthcare executive with more than 35 years of experience driving growth and innovation in Medicare Advantage. Her background includes a 12-year tenure as Senior Vice President at SCAN Health Plan, where she led product development, market expansion, and marketing strategy, launching differentiated products and strengthening broker partnerships to deliver sustained membership growth. Now Senior Vice President of Marketing for Regal, Lakeside, and ADOC Medical Groups, Jill oversees marketing strategies serving more than 600,000 members in Southern California, focusing on strategic partnerships, expanded distribution, and growth-oriented brand and advertising deployment.
Nicole Sherwood
National Medicare And Health Insurance Director
United Benefits
Nicole Sherwood is the National Health Insurance and Medicare director for United Benefits, an agency specializing in federal benefits and retirement solutions. She joined the United Benefits team to develop solutions to help federal employees and retirees understand their options when it comes to Medicare in retirement. Prior to being an insurance agent and agency leader, Nicole worked in finance at a hospital. The knowledge of medical billing in combination with insurance knowledge helps to create a complete view of the insurance and medical systems that clients and members deal with.
Isaac Shloss
Chief Product Officer
Contact Center Compliance
Isaac Shloss is an IT and Compliance specialist with 25 years’ experience – exclusively focused on the Contact Center industry. As the Chief Product Officer for Contact Center Compliance, Isaac drives product creation that focuses on restoring trust and effectiveness in customer outreach through compliance, education, and problem solving within the regulatory framework. Isaac also serves as a Board Member for PACE, acting as Chair on their Government Affairs Committee. In this role, he tracks legislation that affects the industry, calls members to action, and works with lawmakers as appropriate. Isaac is PACE’s representative to the FCC, serving on several committees.
Demetri Simos
Asst. VP, Sales
GTL
Demetri has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry, including 22 years with GTL in a sales leadership capacity. He has played a key role in developing products and distribution strategies that have helped position GTL as a leader in the senior supplemental market. His advice for agents in the supplemental market is simple: “Always Be Presenting (ABP).”
Josh Slattery
EVP
The Brokerage Inc
Josh Slattery is the Executive Vice President at The Brokerage Inc., a national life and health marketing organization. He joined The Brokerage in 2017 after spending 9 years with UnitedHealthcare in multiple roles specializing in Medicare products. He is a former agent and advocate for agent distribution, often collaborating with carriers and brokers to support the channel.
Josh grew up in the Dallas area and is a graduate of Southern Methodist University where he received his BBA in Marketing in 2005 and MBA in 2012. Josh lives in Frisco, Texas with his wife Shay and their son, Beckett.
Avery Smith
President
Kelsey National Corporation
Elka Soussana
CEO & Founder
Simpler Horizons Insurance Solutions
Elka Soussana is the CEO and co-founder of Simpler Horizons Insurance Solutions, a senior general agency supporting over 100 independent agents nationwide. Known as the “Medicare Chef,” she blends strategy, clarity, and creativity to help agents master Medicare and build scalable businesses. Since 2012, her agency has helped over 20,000 seniors make confident Medicare decisions while mentoring agents to move from production to true business ownership. She serves as Medicare Chair for CAHIP Los Angeles and is passionate about elevating professionalism, compliance, and long-term growth in the industry.
Monte Speicher
VP, Retail Sales & Marketing
AmeriHealth Caritas Family Of Companies
Throughout my career, I have partnered with health plans of all sizes—from large national carriers to regional and local organizations—helping them grow, expand, and enter new markets. Today, I am responsible for driving sales and growth across AmeriHealth Caritas’ national footprint, ensuring our readiness for market expansion and supporting organizational growth. Drawing on over 25 years in healthcare growth strategy, I continue to deliver measurable outcomes and guide health plans toward sustainable success in the evolving landscape of ACA and Medicare retail markets.
Devin Stanley
Director Of Growth
The Baldwin Group
Devin is Baldwin’s Director of Growth (National). He has been in the health insurance industry for seventeen years, specializing in Medicare Advantage and Sales.Devin's career began in South Florida as a Sales Administrator, for one of the top Health Insurance Companies and he rapidly transitioned into a successful Medicare Sales Agent. His career also entails success as a top Broker Manager, Sales Director. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to become a broker and principal of a small family agency, which saw rapid growth and success before being sold. Devin has experienced success in the Medicare space on every level.
Kyle Steele
CEO & Founder
FutureCare Solutions Group
Sarah Steele
Chief Experience Officer
FutureCare Solutions Group
Sarah Steele is the Chief Experience Officer at FutureCare Solutions Group, where she designs elevated experiences at the intersection of wellness, technology, and care. Her journey began as a teenager caring for her grandparents at home, shaping her deep commitment to human-centered care. With a background as a Pilates instructor and over a decade of teaching, she brings a holistic approach to well-being, blending physical health with thoughtful environments. Today, Sarah is helping redefine aging by creating personalized experiences where individuals can truly thrive at every stage of life.
Tom Stevens
Founder
TomBot
Tom Stevens is CEO and Co-founder of Tombot, Inc. After Tom’s mother Nancy was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia, Tom had to re-home her dog for safety reasons. Tombot was launched to make robotic pets for the billons of people who cannot have live pets. Tombot’s founding team built a prior startup into a large high-tech company and successfully exited. Tom has spent 30+ years in C-level positions, and is a frequent speaker and thought leader on pets, health, and AI. Tom has a Master’s in Management from Stanford Graduate School of Business, and a Bachelors in Political Science from UCLA.
Mike Story
National Sales Director
Physicians Mutual
Mike Story brings nearly 40 years of experience in the Medicare Supplement and ancillary markets, with a career rooted in field performance, agent development, and sustainable growth. As National Sales Training Director at Physicians Mutual, he partners with executive leadership, distribution leaders, and agents nationwide to strengthen positioning, improve cross-sell strategy, and align product initiatives with real-world execution. Throughout his career, Mike has trained and mentored high-performing agents and sales leaders, focusing on disciplined fundamentals, relationship-based selling, and measurable results. His approach blends practical experience with actionable insights that turn strategy into consistent performance.
Jeff Street
Executive, VP
Messer Financial Group
Jeff Street serves as Executive Vice President for Messer Financial Group, Inc., where he leads strategic initiatives throughout the organization with a focus on agent recruitment, engagement, and long-term retention. With over a decade of experience at Messer, Jeff has played a key role in expanding the organization’s growth and diversity at the local, regional, and national level. A former touring professional golfer and a collegiate four-year letter winner, Jeff earned his bachelor’s degree in education/ Sports Fitness Management from the University of Alabama. He currently resides just outside of Charlotte, NC with his wife and two daughters.
Jared Strock
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
SVP, Analytics & Insights
Chartis
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.
Kate Sullivan
VP, Government Affairs
EHealth
Kate Sullivan leads public policy engagement with the Congress and regulatory agencies for eHealth, a leading marketplace for Medicare, individual, employer and other health coverage. Prior to joining eHealth, Kate served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology; led ACA compliance for Intuit’s TurboTax unit; and held leadership health policy roles for Walmart, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Kate was appointed and twice confirmed to D.C.’s Health Benefit Exchange Authority Board of Directors implementing the ACA for District residents and small businesses as well as Members of Congress and their staff.
Isaac Swaiman
Senior Expert
McKinsey & Company
Isaac Swaiman is a Senior Expert at McKinsey based out of Minneapolis. A lawyer by training and with experience at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) helping to implement the Affordable Care Act, Isaac brings a deep understanding of the regulatory landscape and its impact on the healthcare industry. He has served clients across the Medicare ecosystem, including health plans, distributors, and PBMs.
Lauren Sweda
CGO
NexBen
Lauren Sweda serves as chief growth officer at Nexben, a leading FinTech and ICHRA administrator. With extensive experience building and executing go-to-market strategies in healthcare benefits, Lauren is passionate about delivering innovative solutions to the employee benefits community. Over the last 15 years, Lauren has driven growth for leading ancillary carriers across mental health, dental, vision, and fee-for-service product lines, including her most recent role as chief growth officer for Magellan Healthcare’s employer division. Lauren’s role at Nexben is critical to fueling its vision of empowering consumers to take a more active and informed role in their health benefit decisions.
Nick Tatge
Head Of Carrier Relations
Spark Advisors
Nick Tatge is a Medicare Advantage distribution executive with 23 years of leadership across national carriers and FMOs. He specializes in growth strategy, broker ecosystem optimization, and scalable, compliance-driven distribution that improves retention, quality performance, and enterprise value.
Craig Taylor
President & Co-Founder
Advisor Share
Lawrence “Craig” Taylor MA CLF CLTC DIA CSA is President and Co-Founder of AdvisorShare Medicare Partners, bringing nearly 35 years of experience in the insurance industry with deep expertise in Medicare and ancillary product design, distribution, and marketing. He previously served as Assistant Vice President and Associate Director of Medicare Solutions at Senior Market Sales and has held leadership roles including State Leader for Allstate and Regional Sales Manager at Mutual of Omaha. Craig holds a master’s degree in organizational management with a focus on Executive Coaching & Leadership. He is Secretary of the Board of Directors for Mutual; First Federal Credit Union as well as Secretary of the Board of Directors for NABIP Nebraska. He is a nationally recognized speaker and certified CE instructor on Medicare, ACA and Ancillary Products.
John Terry
Director Of Training
Legacy Marketing Group
Dr. John Terry currently serves as the Training Director at Legacy Marketing Group. An industry veteran, he’s been a success coach to the financial services industry for more than 2 decades, bringing a broad depth of knowledge and sales insights that scale results. Dr. John is also a 3-Time martial arts Hall of Fame inductee, an L.A. Tribune Best-Selling Author, and a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. He was named a 2026 Top Impact Speaker by Real Leaders, and is a member of the prestigious Marquis Who’s Who in America.
Jon Thomas
VP, National And Strategic Accounts
Amada Senior Care
Jon joined Amada Senior Care in 2023 after spending the last 15 years working as a financial & insurance professional with companies - Nationwide Insurance and most recently Securian Financial, dedicated to helping grow market awareness of the importance of long-term care (LTC) planning. Jon has firsthand experience caring for aging loved ones and is passionate about the dignity and freedom quality LTC solutions can provide.
He currently leads the National & Strategic Accounts department for Amada, building relationships with the Insurance & Financial industry to connect and coordinate insurance and financial planning to the issues of aging and care.
Morgan Tilleman
Partner
Foley & Lardner LLP
Morgan Tilleman is a partner in the Insurance Practice Group at Foley & Lardner LLP, and co-chair of the firm’s Payor Provider Convergence area of focus. He concentrates his practice on insurance and reinsurance law, and on the intersection of health care and insurance. Morgan represents insurers and reinsurers in mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, reinsurance transactions, affiliations, joint ventures, and insurance program arrangements, and provides regulatory and business counseling to a wide range of insurance industry participants. He also advises providers, health insurers, and HMOs on formation, licensure, operations, compliance, strategy, and mergers and acquisitions for risk-bearing entities.
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.
Sam Toole
Partner
Primary Ventures
Sam partners with founders obsessed with transforming the broken healthcare system from the ground up. The former entrepreneur and operator has a non-traditional path into investing, having started an e-commerce brand and a surf school before shifting into the world of healthcare at Nomad Health. He's most energized by close collaboration with founders—ideating on strategy, diving into challenging problems, and discovering solutions through creative thinking together.
Joe Tretola
CEO
Reliasure Insurance Services
Joe is the owner of Reliasure Insurance Services LLC and a sales strategist with deep experience building and leading high performance insurance call centers. He specializes in lead flow, phone sales execution, and conversion systems for independent agents. At Medicarians this year in Las Vegas, Joe is introducing a proven lead system designed to give independent agents consistent opportunity, tighter control of conversations, and higher close rates without gimmicks. His work is focused on practical systems that produce measurable results in the real world.
Eric Troutman
Partner
Troutman AMIN LLP
Eric J. Troutman is the Czar of TCPAWorld.com and one of the country’s prominent class action defense lawyers. He is nationally recognized in Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) litigation and compliance. He has served as lead defense counsel in more than 500 national TCPA class actions and has litigated over a thousand individual TCPA cases in his role as national strategic litigation counsel for call center operators, lead providers, retailers, banks and finance companies. He frequently advocates before the FCC for TCPA sanity and helps industry participants build TCPA-compliant processes, policies and systems.
Andrew Tutaj
President
ConnectureDRX
Andrew Tutaj is the President of ConnectureDRX, the leading provider of Medicare shopping, quoting, and enrollment technology for health plans, agencies, and agents. Recently promoted to President, Andrew brings 10+ years in the insurance/Medicare technology industry, blending financial rigor with data‑driven growth and operational excellence.
Alex Uhm
VP & GM, Medicare
Blue Cross Blue Shield Of California
Alex has over 20 years of experience in the payor ecosystem in California, serving first in finance, healthcare economics and health plan operations roles, before taking a leadership role as Chief Operating Officer for UnitedHealthcare’s Commercial Health Plan in 2011. In 2016 he transitioned into the role of Chief Executive Officer for Medicare in Northern California, where he turned their unprofitable Medicare plan to profitable through the launch of new products and county expansion. Alex Uhm currently serves as the Vice President and General Manager of Medicare at Blue Shield of California, focusing on developing strategies that strengthen profitability and growth for the more than 400,000 Medicare beneficiaries in California. Alex is an astute leader with a strong track record of growth and turnaround. He understands the complex market dynamics in Medicare, including state and federal regulations and believes in the importance of provider relationships including how our networks affect Medicare performance.
Karl Ulfers
CEO & Co-Founder
DUOS
Karl is passionate about empowering older adults to have more freedom as they age because of his own experience helping his loved ones navigate their challenges of aging and struggling to find resources they needed to age independently. He is leveraging his experiences as an early leader in digital health starting in 2006 at OptumHealth, part of UnitedHealth Group, and his more recent experience as the Chief Product Officer and then CEO of Rally Health to help DUOS establish a system of aging that makes it easy for older adults and caregivers to get access to the support they need.
Kerry Van Iseghem
CEO
O’Neill Marketing
Kerry Van Iseghem is the Chief Executive Officer for O’Neill Marketing and an insurance leader with more than a decade of experience across ACA, Medicare, life, private plan and ancillary products. He is focused on expanding market opportunities, strengthening carrier relationships and supporting agents and agencies in an evolving healthcare landscape.
Chris van Roden
Director Of Market Development & Strategic Accounts
ActiveProspect
As Insurance Market Lead at VMS, Chris manages their strategic insurance client relationships, servicing the voice of the customer helping to drive industry specific product innovation and success for the vertical.
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.
Miriam Vega
CEO & Founder
Mint Insurance Agency
Miriam Vega, founder and CEO of Mint Health Insurance Agency, leads a multi-state, fast-growing agency redefining how older adults navigate options beyond Medicare while prioritizing agent opportunities, diversification, and development. With experience at CareMore Health Plan in California and over a decade in the industry, she gained insight into care models, relationships, and community impact. Known for her bold vision, light, elite mentorship, and transformative influence, Miriam champions challenging the status quo by leveraging technology, tools, and industry updates to help her team succeed. She builds growth models and personal development pathways to empower agents, cultivate a healthy team culture, and reflect integrity and excellence.
Sérgio Viana
Sr. Director, Independent Channels
WelbeHealth
Sérgio Viana is a seasoned Medicare executive with nearly 20 years of experience across the Medicare Advantage and managed care landscape. He has held roles at fast-paced, high-growth organizations — including Devoted Health — where he developed deep expertise in product strategy, distribution, and operational scale. Sérgio joined Welbe Health more than five years ago and led the company’s first-ever broker channel initiative — a pioneering effort that marked the first time a PACE program leveraged brokers for distribution. Known for bridging innovation and execution, he focuses on building scalable go-to-market models, simplifying complex regulatory environments, and driving partnerships that improve access and outcomes for older adults
Emmanuel Villasenor
Owner
Futuro Insurance
Emmanuel Villaseñor is the founder and leader of Futuro Insurance, a Spanish-first agency dedicated to serving the Latino community with trusted guidance and personalized care. Futuro Insurance is a multidivisional organization offering Medicare, ACA, Life Insurance, Pre-Need Funeral plans, and more. Born in El Paso, Texas, Emmanuel was raised with strong family values that shape his mission to protect families and build financial security. With over 20 years of industry experience, he understands that marketing is the foundation of a great organization and consistently works within the community to generate leads and lasting relationships in Phoenix, Arizona.
Frankie Villeneuve
Agent Success Specialist
IFC National Marketing
Frankie is the Agent Success Specialist at IFC National Marketing. He runs the Agent Builder department that he started in 2023. He has trained agents on Medicare, Life, ACA, Annuity and Group Health. He is the proud father of his one year old daughter Ophelia (with another baby on the way in June). And the husband to his wife, Sabrina. Frankie Graduated from Mars Hill University in the spring of 2022 and has been in the industry since. He offers trainings year round for agents all over the country and will continue to bring more and more content and value to the industry.
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.
Audrey Villeneuve
Regional Sales Director- Health & Marketing
IFC National Marketing
Audrey grew up in Rochester, MN, and graduated with distinction from the University of Minnesota, Morris in Political Science and French, completing minors in Religious and Medieval Studies in just three years. After returning home from law school overseas during the pandemic, she joined IFC National Marketing in 2020, quickly advancing from operations to internal sales, earning her law degree in Corporate and Commercial Law along the way. Promoted to Regional Director for Health and Medicare in 2025, Audrey is passionate about building agent careers and fostering friendships. Outside of work, she enjoys family, friends, her rescue dogs, and travel.
Bryan Vinegar
VP, Broker Sales
Healthspring
Bret Voith
CSO
NCD
Bret is a healthcare entrepreneur committed to improving health outcomes for Americans, with a focus on improving payer, provider, and agent collaboration. As Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at NCD, he helps shape the future of supplemental health insurance and oversees overall strategy and operations for the business. Prior to joining NCD, he founded Tenure Health, the first value-based Medicare Supplement carrier, which was acquired by NCD. Previously, he served in various leadership roles at Bright Health helping the company go from pre-launch to serving over one million consumers.
Caitlin Walsdorf
Partner
Healthscape Advisors
Caitlin Walsdorf is a Partner at HealthScape Advisors, where she co-leads the Ancillary Practice and is a member of the Medicare Advantage Practice. She brings both consulting and industry experience on the topics of health-ancillary partnerships, strategic growth, diversification, sales excellence, product strategy, network and cost of care analytics, and operational improvement. Caitlin is responsible for several ancillary-specific business intelligence products including the Medicare Advantage Dental Tool and the Medicare Advantage Vision Tool. She is a regular co-author of HealthScape’s thought leadership in the ancillary domain. Prior to joining HealthScape, Caitlin led government programs business development at EyeMed. She began her career at HealthScape after earning her bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Nate Watters
Chief Sales Officer
Ambetter
Nate Watters, Chief Sales Officer at Ambetter Health, and his team lead strategies and execution across all sales and retention channels, member experience, engagement, and communication. As a healthcare executive with more than 2 decades of experience, Nate has an extensive background in marketing, strategic planning, product development and sales. As a member of the Ambetter Health’s leadership team, Nate has helped lead the company’s advancement of innovative insurance products and new market entries, supporting a healthy and stable marketplace. As the CSO at Ambetter Health, Nate is dedicated to steering the sales strategy forward, empowering teams to exceed targets, and delivering unparalleled value to members and brokers.
Jay Weintraub
CEO & Co-founder
Connectiv
Jay is a digital marketer who has transformed a deep domain expertise into a successful business and a more fulfilling life. He creates and operates a portfolio of definitive summits for brands and professionals across high growth industries and at scale sectors undergoing rapid change.
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.
Nick Welle
Partner
Foley & Lardner
Nick Welle is a partner at Foley & Lardner and the Chair of the Firm’s Health Benefits Practice, where he leads several attorneys focused on group health plan matters. Nick exclusively devotes his practice to issues impacting group health and welfare benefit plans, focusing on health care reform issues and consumer-driven health benefits. Nick regularly advises his clients on matters concerning the Affordable Care Act (ACA), HIPAA privacy, No Surprises Act, Price Transparency, COBRA, ERISA, flexible benefit plans, wellness programs, HRAs, HSAs, plan network design, MEWAs, association health plans, captive insurance arrangements, and other health benefit issues. He works closely with plan administrators, plan sponsors (e.g., employers), PBMs, TPAs, consultants, and other plan service providers in the health benefits space.
Chad Wells
CMO & Founder
Wells Growth Advisors
Chad Wells is a seasoned, award-winning C-suite marketing executive in the health and life insurance industry, and Founder and CMO of Wells Growth Advisors. With 30 years of experience in technology, health, and insurance—including leadership roles at UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Chubb, and Physicians Mutual—he is known for driving effective growth through transformative market- and customer-focused strategies across direct and agency-led distribution. Chad’s depth in understanding Medicare beneficiaries and agents, paired with uniquely skilled market and positioning strategy, make him a valued resource for organizations seeking effective brand engagement and growth in the senior health market. Chad’s team won 8 industry marketing excellence awards for digital and online experience at Chubb. He also won UnitedHealth Group’s Innovation award for his role in launching 37 UHC Medicare Stores and its localized agency retail enrollment center strategy across 65 markets.
Marc Wheeler
Managing Partner
Strategic Options
Marc Wheeler is the founder and managing partner at Strategic Options a consulting firm focused on working with established and emerging Life and Medicare businesses in scaling revenue in high growth digital environments. Former executive with NetQuote, SelectQuote, and One America. Serves as an industry resource for investors regarding the Medicare category. Industry speaker and mentor through the Global Insurance Accelerator, PlugandPlay insurance sector and co-founder InsurTech Denver.
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 NAIFA Chicagoland, has served on the board since 1990, and currently serves as National Committeeman for NAIFA Chicagoland. He is also a past President of NAIFA Illinois and the current Secretary of NAIFA national.
Brian Whorley
CEO & Founder
Paytient
Brian Whorley, Founder and CEO of Paytient, is dedicated to making healthcare accessible and affordable for all Americans. Since 2018, Paytient has provided an employer-assisted platform that helps members manage out-of-pocket costs and purchase care for less.
Over 6,000 employers and insurers now use Paytient, putting $2 billion in purchasing power directly into members' pockets. Brian is a recognized leader in healthcare affordability, striving to build a "Better Care Economy" with honest pricing and simplified payments. His mission is to remake the care economy to work better for everyone—from patients and providers to employers and policymakers.
Sam Wiener
COO & Co-Founder
Gyde
Sam Wiener is the COO & Co-Founder of Gyde, the first AI-native brokerage helping independent agencies unlock their next chapter of growth. At Gyde, Sam partners with Medicare agency owners to dramatically accelerate growth by combining AI tools, capital investment, and hands-on operational expertise. He is passionate about helping Medicare brokerages scale their business and provide exceptional client service. Sam previously led growth at Spark Advisors for three years and, before that, he ran national sales and operations at Oscar Health.
John Winner
CEO
Kizen
John is the CEO & Co-Founder of Kizen, the leading AI-enhanced platform for Insurance Agents, Agencies, and FMOs. A six-time founder and former Enterprise Management & Marketing Consultant, he specializes in complex data, AI, and automation. Over his career, John has designed and deployed more than $200 million in enterprise data, automation, and AI transformation projects across highly regulated industries—including Insurance, Banking, and Healthcare—serving organizations with workforces of over 400,000 people.
Hawley Woods
Strategic Partner
Wellthcare
Hawley Woods Gray is a national leader in innovative employee benefits and a passionate advocate for financial empowerment. As a strategic partner with WellthCare, she helps business owners with 10+ W-2 employees implement preventative health solutions that lower rising healthcare costs while building tax-advantaged retirement wealth for their workforce. A former board member of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) from 2019–2022, Hawley is also a best-selling author of Women Insurance Producers Unfiltered and a sought-after speaker. She is known for bridging compliance, creativity, and compensation to bring forward-thinking healthcare solutions to the insurance marketplace.
Brian Wright
Principal
Powervox
Brian Wright is an operator-centric leader with 10 years of experience in the Medicare insurance industry. He focuses on solving real-world problems through tech enablement, specifically using Voice AI and automation. Brian specializes in bridging the gap between legacy insurance processes and modern tech, ensuring new tools integrate smoothly into existing tech stacks. Having spent a decade in the field, he is dedicated to building automated solutions that simplify workflows and help insurance organizations scale efficiently.
Kevin Wu
CEO
Leaping AI
Kevin Wu is the CEO of Leaping AI. Leaping AI provides AI voice agents for medicare and ACA call centers, helping them to automate inbound pre-qualification and enrollment calls. They already work with several large health insurance call centers and are based in San Francisco.
Jordan Yospe
Senior Director, Marketing Channels & Operations
Integrity
Jordan Yospe has been with Integrity for 5 years, the nation’s leader in Medicare product distribution, leading all marketing channels and operations including lead generation and performance marketing. Jordan has nearly 20 years of experience in transformative marketing expertise, including leading Innovation for ThomasARTS, an Integrity Company, for 5 years. This expertise include compliant implementation of transformative lead generation efforts, including lead scoring, predictive modeling, and more to assist Integrity agents.
Jeannie Zaemes
SVP, Marketing
Vanillasoft
Jeannie Zaemes, SVP of Marketing, has led marketing, demand gen, and growth teams for B2B and B2C organizations, including both internal teams and external agency resources. She is able to develop strategic marketing communications and promotional plans, budgets, and tactical programs that fill the sales pipeline and help meet the business goals of the organization. In her career, Jeannie has built demand gen and growth teams that regularly exceeds MQL, SQL, and pipeline goals by 2x, contributing to over 90% of closed new business deals. Jeannie’s critical skill sets include marketing communications, marketing automation, demand generation, events, PR / investor relations, vertical marketing, digital marketing, international marketing, global brand and visual identity development, and department and budget management. Industry experience includes SaaS solutions, medical device and healthcare, telecommunications, big data, cloud, internet infrastructure, and enterprise software.
Mike Zehrer
Managing Director Of Marketing & Growth Strategy
BCBS Michigan
Mike Zehrer is the Managing Director of Marketing and Growth Strategy for Individual Medicare at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. With more than 20 years of experience spanning direct patient care and health insurance, he brings a unique blend of clinical insight and strategic leadership. Mike has led transformative growth and engagement initiatives, leveraging a deep understanding of member needs and industry dynamics to improve outcomes and elevate the member experience.
Jay Zigmont, PhD, MBA, CFP
Founder
Childfree Trust
Dr. Jay Zigmont, PhD, MBA, CFP®, is a TEDx speaker, cultural economist, and the leading expert on the Childfree Economy—the multi-trillion-dollar economic and social shift driven by the 25% of Americans without children. He is the founder of Childfree Trust® and Childfree Wealth
Childfree Wealth® is an SEC RIA dedicated to serving Childfree people. Childfree Trust® enables Childfree people to appoint a trust company to serve as their medical POA, financial POA, executor and trustee, effectively acting as their next of kin.
Mike Zundel
VP, Carrier Sales
United HealthOne
Mike Zundel leads the broker sales team for UnitedHealthOne, specializing in short-term medical and ancillary products for both under-65 and senior clients. Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Mike and his wife, Shelli, now reside in Vancouver, Washington. In their free time, they enjoy hiking, spending time with their dog, Winter, and cheering on their beloved St. Louis Cardinals—whose games start much earlier on Pacific Time!
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.
Justin Brock
CEO & Founder
Brock
Justin Brock is a transformative figure in the Medicare and health insurance industry, known for his expertise, innovation, and commitment to helping both consumers and agents navigate the complex world of insurance. From a start in 2014, after nearly a decade in the Marine Corps, Justin quickly recognized the immense opportunity to improve how Medicare is marketed and delivered. With a unique mix of grit and creativity, he scaled BROCK into a nationally recognized Agency and FMO, helping over 150,000 Medicare customers in 202 and earning a spot on the Inc. 5000’s list of fastest-growing companies.
Sandra Gebhardt
Online Marketing Strategist
Sandra Gebhardt Marketing
As a digital marketer with years of experience, Sandra has worked with thousands of small business owners, trained in high ticket consulting groups, spoken at multiple events including TEDX, been featured in two documentaries, runs a top rated Podcast (Binding Authority) all while being a wife and keeping the worlds cutest four year old entertained, happy and from falling off of tall things he climbs. Sandra is extremely passionate about helping people solve problems they are having in business. She has been described as being “a bit too much” or “a busy body” and voted “most eager to please” by her Highschool Senior Class. Sandra took these labels and turned into being famous for being a power connector and helping small business owners fix advertising and marketing issues. Known as the “Queen Of Organic Social Media Marketing.” Sandra is passionate about teaching agents to build their own personal brand. She also runs a group consulting course where she focuses on coaching and helping agents build smart marketing plans!
Joshua Jenson
President
Senior Benefits Agency, Inc.
Got into insurance in 2011. Cut my teeth in final expense. Got into Medicare in 2015. Sold primarily for the next few years. Took a hiatus to build my Final expense agency. Then started growing a Medicare Agency organically. Took about four years to amass over 40,000 applications a year with over 400 writing agents. Currently Spark's number 1 Medicare agency.
Alexander Liebergall
Compliance Director
InsureMe Inc.
Alexander A. Liebergall has 10+ years of experience in insurance/regulatory, health, and Medicare compliance. He holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Public Health from Drexel University. Currently, he is the Compliance Director and Compliance & Privacy Officer for Ideal Concepts, Inc. –– an insurance technology and administrative services company located in Allentown, PA –– and its affiliates, including InsureMe, Inc., an insurance agency licensed throughout the United States market and sell heath, Medicare, life, and P&C insurance. He is responsible for overseeing all compliance, privacy, telesales oversight/quality assurance, contracting, and other legal and regulatory functions for these companies
Colin Logue
Medicare Director
Compass Insurance Advisors
Colin Logue is the Owner and CEO of Utah Avenue Insurance and serves as the Medicare Director for Compass Insurance Advisors. With 18 years of industry experience, Colin is a recognized expert in Medicare Supplements, Advantage plans, and Special Needs Plans (SNPs). He leads weekly trainings focused on regulatory shifts, AHIP certification, and plan design to keep advisors ahead of the curve. When he isn’t navigating the complexities of Medicare, Colin is navigating the open seas; a licensed Captain, he is set to sail the waters of Tahiti and Croatia this year.
Christopher Meier
Attorney
Greenspoon Marder LLP
Christopher P. Meier is of counsel with Greenspoon Marder LLP's Regulatory Compliance & Defense practice. With over 17 years of experience representing a variety of regulated industries, Mr. Meier represents health insurance agencies, brokers, and agents selling health insurance and health insurance-oriented services, including ACA and Medicare-related products. His practice focuses on assisting clients navigate federal and state regulatory requirements and defending clients against regulatory investigations, complaints, and consumer litigation. Mr. Meier advises on compliance frameworks spanning insurance sales, marketing practices, and related regulatory obligations. His expertise helps health insurance professionals maintain regulatory compliance while effectively marketing their businesses.
Sas Mukherjee
President
Catalyst Solutions
Sas Mukherjee brings more than 25 years of diverse experience in the healthcare, technology, and services industries. He has demonstrated a proven ability to lead organizations through significant transformations, achieving exponential growth and operational excellence, delivering high returns for investors, founders, and employees. His leadership blends strategic vision and a culture-first approach to build high-performing global teams. Sas serves on the boards of several non-profit and industry organizations, is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, and advises analyst firms and institutional investors, reflecting his broad expertise and industry insight.
Nicole Sherwood
National Medicare And Health Insurance Director
United Benefits
Nicole Sherwood is the National Health Insurance and Medicare director for United Benefits, an agency specializing in federal benefits and retirement solutions. She joined the United Benefits team to develop solutions to help federal employees and retirees understand their options when it comes to Medicare in retirement. Prior to being an insurance agent and agency leader, Nicole worked in finance at a hospital. The knowledge of medical billing in combination with insurance knowledge helps to create a complete view of the insurance and medical systems that clients and members deal with.
Bret Voith
CSO
NCD
Bret is a healthcare entrepreneur committed to improving health outcomes for Americans, with a focus on improving payer, provider, and agent collaboration. As Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer at NCD, he helps shape the future of supplemental health insurance and oversees overall strategy and operations for the business. Prior to joining NCD, he founded Tenure Health, the first value-based Medicare Supplement carrier, which was acquired by NCD. Previously, he served in various leadership roles at Bright Health helping the company go from pre-launch to serving over one million consumers.
