Meeting host Homesteaders Life Company opens the meeting with a welcome message followed by attendee introductions and updates on what’s happening at their companies.

This segment will offer succession concepts and the importance of developing young talent for long-term succession planning, offer actionable steps and a template for succession planning and development. Following a 40–45-minute presentation, the group will discuss and list possible action items from the learning gained.

An experienced life insurance company leader, Steve Lang began his career in human resources and used this background and experience to influence his own career and leadership journey. He is former Chairman and CEO of Homesteaders Life Company, and as President of Lang Consulting, he provides succession planning programs, executive coaching services, and CEO support.

Our networking dinner will be held at Glen Oaks Country Club, a top-rated private country club located in West Des Moines, Iowa. Offering spectacular views of the golf course, this will be a perfect setting to reconnect with peers and meet new colleagues with similar human resources opportunities and challenges.

With a new CEO and a fast-forward growth strategy that includes new products, distribution and M&A, Betterlife stakeholders are certainly experiencing lots of change. Keeping veteran staff mission-focused while successfully onboarding and integrating leadership and staff from acquired companies is a huge undertaking. Kaye DeMartino, VP-Talent Management will share her team’s experience and a new change management program they created called “Flourish” to keep Betterlife on track towards their goals.

Justine Bell, Homesteaders’ new Chief Human Resources Officer, joins another company making creative decisions to grow with, and beyond, its insurance roots. Her challenge is helping current and new team members from disparate organizations come together toward a common vision. Maintaining a focus on upholding core culture values; where people feel seen, heard, and valued, Justine shares how she is applying her wealth of experience from working at high-growth companies to Homesteaders.

The facilitated discussion will cover submitted topics including employee benefits.