NAFA Annuity Distribution Summit Agenda
The following is subject to change and current as of September 15, 2025. All presentation times are listed in Eastern Time.
Philanthropic Pre-Meeting Events: Register to participate in one or both of these exciting offerings, with all proceeds benefiting Step Up Savannah, a local 501(c)3 working to empower individuals and families to achieve financial independence and long-term stability.
| Time | Session | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00-7:00 PM ET | NAFA Summit Scramble Golf Tournament | A charity golf scramble Register now >> |
The Club at Savannah Harbor |
| 7:00-9:30 PM ET | NAFA Ghost Town Trolley Tours | A hauntingly fun time for a charitable cause Register now >> |
Tours depart promptly from the Simply Savannah Depot at 7:20 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. |
| Time | Session | Content | Speaker/Presenter(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00AM – 5:00PM ET | Conference Registration | Harborside Ballroom | ||
| 10:15AM – 11:15AM ET | Education Committee Meeting | October in-person meeting | Education Committee Members | Verelst Room |
| 10:15AM – 11:15AM ET | Membership Committee Meeting | October in-person meeting | Membership Committee Members | Percival Room |
| 10:15AM – 11:15AM ET | Gov’t & Legal Affairs Committee Meeting | October in-person meeting | Government & Legal Affairs Committee Members | Vernon Room |
| 11:30AM – 12:50PM ET | Women’s Annuity Network Luncheon | Assertive Leadership for Women — An empowerment session for female attendees | Kelly McDonald, 4X Bestselling Author, Renowned Professional Speaker and Founder of McDonald Marketing | Scarbrough Ballroom |
| 11:30AM – 12:45PM ET | Lunch | Harborside Ballroom | ||
| 1:00PM – 1:45PM ET | Roundtable A | Discussions amongst attendee peers | Regency Ballroom D | |
| 1:00PM – 1:45PM ET | Roundtable B | Discussions amongst attendee peers | Regency Ballroom E | |
| 1:00PM – 1:45PM ET | Roundtable C | Discussions amongst attendee peers | Regency Ballroom F | |
| 2:00PM – 2:15PM ET | Opening Ceremony | Commencement of the 17th annual Annuity Distribution Summit | David Wolfe, Advisors Excel, and Chuck DiVencenzo, NAFA | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 2:15PM – 3:00PM ET | Trade Association Leadership Future Vision | A look at our industry’s opportunities and challenges from the association leader lens | Wayne Chopus, IRI; Chuck DiVencenzo, NAFA; David Levenson, LIMRA/LOMA; and moderated by Kevin Mechtley, North American | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 3:00PM – 3:15PM ET | Break | |||
| 3:15PM – 4:00PM ET | A Carrier Perspective on the Future of Annuities | An inside look at trends and influences shaping the future of distribution from the carrier executive perspective | Alan Assner, The Standard; Aaron Murphy, Nationwide; and John Hurley, Ibexis Life & Annuity Insurance Company; and moderated by Jason Smith, Ash Brokerage | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 4:00PM – 5:00PM ET | Featured Speaker Session — Think BIG: How the Proven Growth Mindset Can Transform You & Your Business | The essential interplay between customer experience and workplace culture, and how diverse thinking can foster growth | Kelly McDonald, 4X Bestselling Author, Renowned Professional Speaker and Founder of McDonald Marketing
Sponsored by The NAFA Women’s Annuity Network |
Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 5:00PM – 6:00PM ET | Evening Reception | Mix and mingle with sponsors, attendees and guests | Harborside Ballroom |
| Time | Session | Content | Speaker/Presenter(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30AM – 8:30AM ET | Breakfast & Networking | Browse the Exhibit Hall and enjoy a bite to eat | Harborside Ballroom | |
| 8:30AM – 8:35AM ET | Welcome | Kick off of Day 2 events | David Wolfe, Advisors Excel | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 8:35AM – 9:00AM ET | Bo Johnson Spirit Award | Presentation of NAFA’s most prestigious award | Honored recipient and award nominator(s) | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 9:00AM – 10:00AM ET | Keynote Session: How to Build an AI-Driven Leadership Team | This intensive, high-impact session moves teams beyond AI curiosity and into AI-driven leadership by exploring how to harness AI as a thought partner, real-world, high impact use cases, and a clear, practical path forward. | Geoff Woods, Founder of AI Leadership, Co-Founder of The ONE Thing
Sponsored by Nationwide |
Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 10:00AM – 10:15AM ET | Break | |||
| 10:15AM – 11:00AM ET | The Importance of a Digital First Focus | A look at what’s driving interest, engagement and meaningful relationships in today’s technology forward landscape | Mitch Finch, Gradient Financial Group; Arron Price, Financial Independence Group; Mike Miller, Advisors Excel; and moderated by Katherine Dease, Insured Retirement Institute | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 11:00AM – 11:45AM ET | Today’s Annuities: How They’re Made & Why It Matters | Leaders from top index providers will participate in a Q&A about what’s staying the same and what’s changing in annuity product design and platform development, and how it’s impacting independent distribution | Pratik Pareek, Goldman Sachs; Stephane Mattatia, MSCI; Richard Macari, Nasdaq; Phillip Brzenk, S&P Dow Jones Indices; and moderated by Jay Charles, Luma Financial Technologies | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 11:45AM – 12:15PM ET | Members Meeting | Annual meeting of NAFA members, followed by lunch | NAFA Members Only *Non-NAFA members please proceed to lunch |
Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 11:45AM – 1:30PM ET | Lunch & Vendor Networking | Harborside Ballroom | ||
| 12:15PM – 1:15PM ET | Future Leaders Fellowship Lunch & Learn | An invitation-only luncheon centered around the need to Start with Why | Ryan Lex, Head of Retail, Talcott Financial Group | Scarbrough Ballroom |
| 1:30PM – 2:15PM ET | Product Evolution Amid Continued Annuity Momentum | Discover what factors are contributing to today’s product pricing and design, as well as how we think about the future of risk management | Carrie Freeburg, SILAC Insurance Company; Danette Kennedy, Brokers International; and moderated by Branislav Nikolic, The Index Standard | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 2:15PM – 2:30PM ET | Break | |||
| 2:30PM – 3:00PM ET | OBBBA and What’s Next for U.S. Savers | A continuation of our conversation about how we, as an industry, can help annuity professionals and their clients address new and evolving risks stemming from decision-making in our nation’s Capital | Becky Ruby Swansburg, CEO, Stonewood Financial; Author; Former Capitol Hill & White House Aide | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 3:00PM – 4:00PM ET | Featured Speaker Session: Distancing: The Leadership Superpower for Better Decisions | Discover “distancing,” a transformative leadership approach that helps leaders break free from reactive thinking and sharpen their decision-making. By using three key dimensions of distancing — be someone else, be somewhere else, and be sometime else — leaders can see reality more clearly, reduce anxiety, and lead with greater foresight. | David Marquet, Retired U.S. Navy Captain, Author & Professional Speaker | Regency Ballroom A-C |
| 4:00PM – 4:05PM ET | Closing Remarks | David Wolfe, General Counsel, Advisors Excel | Regency Ballroom A-C | |
| 4:00PM – 5:00PM ET | Mix & Mingle | Final reception for networking and exhibitor conversations | Harborside Ballroom | |
| 8:00PM – 10:00PM ET | Bourbon and Blues | After hours featuring the musical stylings of Willie Jackson & the Tybee Blues Band | Sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices | Harborside Ballroom |
| Time | Session | Speaker/Presenter(s) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00-9:00 AM ET | NAFA Board of Directors Breakfast | NAFA Board of Directors | Scarbrough Ballroom |
| 9:00-11:00 AM ET | NAFA Board of Directors Monthly Meeting | NAFA Board of Directors | Scarbrough Ballroom |
Read bios and details about the event’s keynote and featured speakers, as well as panelists and peers who will be taking the stage.
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