On Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 9:30 AM EST Officers, Board of Directors, New York City Chapter Leadership and selected members of Women in Insurance and Financial Services (WIFS) will ring the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell. This historical moment culminates a yearlong celebration of the 75th Anniversary of WIFS. The ringing of the Opening Bell also serves as important recognition of WIFS’ success in meeting their mission to attract, develop and advance the careers of women in insurance and financial services industries.
WIFS is grateful to Lincoln Financial Advisors (LFA) and the pivotal role LFA played in facilitating this important event for WIFS.
WIFS Luncheon and Top Producer Panel - A Big Success!
Held on June 6, in Atlanta, Geogria, our Celebration of Women in the Industry Luncheon was a huge success. Not only did it mark WIFS's first-ever, private event, it actually sold out with more than 80 attendees, and inspired 22 new members to join!
During the event's Top Producer Panel, distinguished MDRT members Laurie Leja, ShirleyAnn Robertson, and Alice Tang lead a motivating and educational discussion. Laurie, who represents MDRT as a volunteer and an 8-year member, spoke about creating balance in her work life. ShirleyAnn, a Top of the Table Award winner and nine-time qualifier of MDRT, discussed how she structures her typical day. Alice, who first qualified for MDRT in 2005 and is a past president of the WIFS Metro Portland chapter, shared the strategies she uses to promote herself within and outside the industry. Each panelist also touched on their support mechanisms and networks along with what keeps them passionate about their careers.
We'd like to thank the panelists along with the luncheon's corproate sponsors, Metlife, New York Life, and Northwestern Mutual for helping make this event possible.
Passion, Communication & Partnership Bring Results
Alice Tang, Founder and Past President of the Portland Metro WIFS chapter, is very passionate when it comes to things that she believes in.
As an MDRT qualifier, Alice, along with other John Hancock Financial Network qualifiers, attended the annual meeting in 2010 held in Vancouver BC. At the celebratory dinner, she sat next to John Hancock Financial Network Executive Vice President, Brian Heapps. Over dinner, Alice shared her passion for the industry and the opportunities it offers for professional women as well as her steadfast belief that women advisors are going to sustain and flourish in the years to come.
Alice furthered the conversation by explaining her leadership involvement in Women In Insurance and Financial Services (WIFS). After listening to Alice’s passionate explanation of the WIFS mission, Brian asked Alice to follow up with him after MDRT. Being a woman of her word and someone who always actively follows up with her clients’ needs, Alice initiated the introduction of Kathleen Godfrey, 2010 WIFS President, to John Hancock Financial Network. Alice was delighted to hear the post meeting feedback that WIFS would be placed on the 2011 John Hancock Financial Network sponsorship consideration list and would make a great partnership to support this organization.
Alice continued her follow through and facilitated a second introduction in 2011 between John Hancock Financial Network and current WIFS President, Karen Roberts. This introduction led to John Hancock Financial Network’s 2011 gold sponsorship and partnership with WIFS.
Alice is extremely proud of the role she played in formulating this relationship and is pleased that, via the WIFS Chapter Corporate Partner referral program, her Portland Chapter will receive direct financial benefits. Alice encourages everyone to communicate what you believe in, to be persistent in your endeavors and regularly follow up to keep lines of communication open.
Partnering for Success
by Lyda Shehadeh
Did you know that your chapter can receive a portion of national sponsorship dollars if you refer a Corporate Partner? Lyda Shehadeh did just that, and the South Florida Chapter benefited- here’s how.
In 1993 I moved to Miami from New York City to start a new life with my family. Although I had a few years of experience as a career agent with MetLife, I had to start all over in a new state where I knew no one. I thought I had an advantage because I was transferred to another MetLife agency but I can tell you it was not easy. My six years of experience didn't really count since marketing in Florida was completely different than marketing was done in Manhattan. I was completely disoriented!
One day a colleague invited me to an association lunch - that was my first encounter with WIFS (which at that time was WLUC: Women in Insurance and Financial Services). I was very impressed with the professionalism, the camaraderie, the knowledge these women held, and how they embraced me. I immediately became a member.
Over the years, I benefited greatly from the knowledge of other women who were willing to share their successes, the study groups, the continuing education opportunities, the product knowledge, the networking and particularly, the personal coaching group "Master Minds". All of these programs were topped with my first trip to the National Conference in Long Beach, California in 2001. I had the opportunity to meet extremely successful women from around the nation, with the same goal, which was to "encourage and help other women succeed in this field". What a blessing!
Right after I joined, I was involved in a committee, then became member of the board and in 2001 I was elected President of the South Florida chapter. After speaking with managers and a few people in the company about supporting WIFS, I decided to go to the top and approached one of our senior Vice Presidents of the field force during a MetLife women's convention. I followed up with information about the organization, sending it to several people at the home office. Due to my persistence, MetLife signed on to support the South Florida chapter locally in conjunction with the Managing Director. MetLife's interest in WIFS grew further. Key people at the corporate level contacted me and asked me to provide information about what we do in Florida to support women. They were interested to know how our chapter operates - they were impressed that I was elected President of the chapter in South Florida in 2010. I believe that the ground work I did lead MetLife to understand who we are and I am proud of it.
Now looking back at my career, I know that I owe a great part of my success and professional growth to the strong relationships, the support, the knowledge, the understanding and the encouragement that the organization offered me. Without WIFS, I wouldn't be what I am today! I feel very proud to be part of WIFS.
For information about the Corporate Partner Referral Program and guidelines, visit www.wifsnational.org and click on the Chapters tab.
Media inquiries should be directed to the WIFS National Office:
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or (866) 264-9437 (between 9 am and 5 pm EST).
Financial Services Companies Partner with WIFS
MassMutual, MetLife and eight other industry leaders support WIFS in 2011
February 1, 2011
Women in Insurance & Financial Services has announced that ten industry giants are partnering with the organization to support the careers of women in 2011.
WIFS is excited and honored to announce that MetLife joins WIFS for the first time in 2011 as a Diamond level Partner. MetLife has partnered at the highest sponsorship level, demonstrating their dedication to supporting women in financial services careers. WIFS is thrilled to work with MetLife, a longtime industry leader.
Also coming on board as brand new WIFS Corporate Partners in 2011, at the Gold level, are Lincoln Financial Group and John Hancock Financial Network. Transamerica Agency Group has joined with Transamerica Financial Advisors this year as a Gold partner as well. By supporting WIFS, these industry partners have made a statement about their commitment to supporting women in the financial services industry, and their understanding of the importance of diversity in the field.
WIFS also announced that all of the 2010 Corporate Partners will continue their sponsorship in 2011. The partnerships between WIFS and these organizations are strong, and are important to the future of the financial services industry.
MassMutual, a WIFS supporter since 2004, continues their partnership at the Diamond Level. Their top-level support has enabled the Association to develop robust educational programs, support women industry-wide, build a community of successful women in financial services, and continue the 75-year WIFS tradition of supporting, developing, and advancing the careers of women in the industry.
2011 Platinum level sponsors are Guardian (a WIFS Partner since 2005) and Prudential (a WIFS Partner since 2008). Together with WIFS, Guardian and Prudential have pioneered programs to support the careers of women in their organizations.
In addition to Lincoln Financial and John Hancock Financial Network, 2011 Gold Level sponsors are New York Life (a WIFS Partner since 2005), Northwestern Mutual (a WIFS Partner since 2005), Thrivent Financial for Lutherans (a WIFS Partner since 2008), Transamerica Financial Advisors/Transamerica Agency Group (a WIFS Partner since 2010). WIFS is grateful for the steadfast support of all of these organizations– their dedication and loyalty have helped countless women to achieve success in the financial services industry.
Support from Corporate Partners is important to carrying out WIFS’ mission and programs.
“Having corporate leaders participate and support WIFS provides us with the potential and opportunity to be a catalyst for change in the industry,” says Karen Roberts, National President of WIFS. “We are developing important programs for our members and sponsors to create an environment in which women financial representatives will be successful. We are grateful for the support of MassMutual, MetLife, Guardian, Prudential, New York Life, Northwestern Mutual, Thrivent Financial, Transamerica Financial Advisors/Transamerica Agency Group, Lincoln Financial Group and John Hancock Financial Network.”
Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) is the recipient of the Empire State Society of Association Executives (ESSAE) 2010 Association Excellence Award for Marketing and Public Relations.
In 2010, WIFS launched an ambitious plan to freshen up WIFS' image and branding to coincide with the WIFS mission to Attract, Develop, and Advance the careers of women in financial services. In 2010, WIFS introduced an updated logo with tagline, a brand new website, updated membership materials, redesigned e-newsletters and electronic communications, the all-new Chapter in a Box toolkit, newly energized content throughout all communications materials, and a fully rebranded National Conference. WIFS also launched a social networking campaign in 2010 through LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
"WIFS is thrilled with our new and improved image, and honored to receive this recognition of our efforts over the past year," said WIFS National President Karen Roberts. "WIFS is a growing, cutting-edge association, and our updated look and marketing efforts reflect our momentum."
WIFS will begin 2011 boasting increasing membership, growing corporate sponsorship from industry giants including Prudential, MassMutual, Northwestern Mutual, Guardian, Thrivent Financial, New York Life, and most recently, MetLife and Lincoln Financial, and is well-positioned to celebrate 75 years of attracting, developing, and advancing the careers of women in insurance and financial services throughout the nation.
