The LIMRA Annual Conference is one of the largest gatherings of senior executives representing diverse sectors of the financial services industry. Our members and partners come together for strategic industry insights and high-level networking — a must-attend for executives seeking to take charge of change.
Highlights
Change across the industry is occurring at an unprecedented pace, fueling the urgency to innovate and transform. Leaders entered the year facing a business landscape altered by low interest rates, changing regulations, and ever-increasing consumer expectations. They are challenged to strike a balance with legacy systems, practices, and processes as they look to the future of distribution, talent, and technology.
Amidst these industry changes, a greater change gripped the globe - the COVID-19 pandemic. As we work through the impact and disruption of this unprecedented change on our industry, it reminds us that leadership matters most in moments of extreme stress. Taking charge in this environment means fully understanding and prioritizing stakeholder needs, applying your greatest strengths, involving employees, and leading with credibility. How companies respond during and after this crisis will influence the industry for years to come.
As we lead these challenges, we believe the best days are still ahead. Our contribution to society — to protect against risk and provide financial security — has never been more important. We remain resilient, continuing to generate growth around the world and maintain overall profitability despite turbulence in the global economy.
LIMRA’s 2020 Annual Conference will focus on the strategies that will help us take charge of the change in our world. Our program will feature forward-thinking executives from diverse industries. We will discuss key strategies in areas that will influence the future of our industry and the markets we serve, including: distribution and marketing, regulatory issues, data and technology and other strategic issues.
Organizational Psychologist, The Wharton School of Business
Adam Grant has been Wharton’s top-rated professor for seven straight years. A deeply original thinker, he helps build innovative, collaborative work cultures by activating trailblazers to improve the status quo. Grant has been recognized as one of the world's 10 most influential management thinkers, and is the author of multiple #1 New York Times best-selling books, including Give and Take, and Option B. Grant hosts WorkLife, a chart-topping TED original podcast; writes on work and psychology for The New York Times; and serves on the Defense Innovation Board at the Pentagon.
Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a world-renowned presidential historian, public speaker and Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times #1 best-selling author. Her seventh book, Leadership in Turbulent Times, was published in September 2018 to critical acclaim and became an instant New York Times bestseller. A culmination of Goodwin’s five-decade career of studying the American presidents, the book provides an accessible and essential road map for aspiring and established leaders. Goodwin offers context for our turbulent times and shows how today’s leaders can learn from the past.
Chairman, President's Council of Economic Advisers (2010-2011) and Professor of Economics, University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Austan Goolsbee is the Robert P. Gwinn professor of Economics at the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business and one of the world’s leading experts on business, government and the economy.
Goolsbee previously served as chairman of President Barack Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers and a member of the cabinet as well as the chief economist for the President’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board (chaired by Paul Volcker). In addition, he served as a member of the Board of Education for the City of Chicago and eight years as a member of the Economic Advisory Panel to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Goolsbee is a former Fulbright Scholar and Alfred P. Sloan Fellow and sits on the board of the Lumina Foundation. In 2009, he was voted “D.C.’s Funniest Celebrity”. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Economics from Yale University and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Andrew Card held numerous positions at senior levels of government under three Presidents, including Chief of Staff to President George W. Bush, where Card became the second longest tenured White House Chief of Staff. Whether it is in the middle of a presidential campaign or inside the Oval Office with a world leader, Card knows how things actually work — the reality versus the myth. In January 2018, he became Chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), a non-profit organization dedicated to the growth and strengthening of democratic institutions around the world. Card offers insight on leadership, analysis on the issues of the day, and his perspectives on what’s happening in Washington.
As chief of staff for President Barack Obama, Denis McDonough led the White House for the President’s entire second term and played a definitive role in shaping U.S. national security policy. Among President Obama’s closest advisors, McDonough first joined then-Senator Obama’s campaign as senior foreign policy advisor in 2007. During the administration’s first term, McDonough served as principal deputy national security advisor. McDonough is currently an Executive Fellow at the University of Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs, teaching a global policy seminar for graduate and undergraduate students focused on refugees and migration. McDonough provides insight into the legislative process on Capitol Hill, domestic politics, and the use of executive authority.
President and Chief Executive Officer, LIMRA and LOMA
David Levenson is responsible for leading one of the world’s largest associations of life insurance and financial services companies, representing 700 member organizations across 70 countries. Most recently, Levenson was a principal at Edward Jones and served on its management committee from 2015–2018. He was responsible for all products distributed through its network of 17,000 advisors in the U.S. and Canada. Prior to 2012, Levenson was president of wealth management at The Hartford Financial Services Group, responsible for the firm’s individual annuity, individual life, mutual fund, and retirement plan businesses. He also served as president and CEO of Hartford Life, KK in Tokyo, where he was responsible for leading the largest annuity provider in Japan.
Levenson holds his Bachelor of Science from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, his Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School and a doctorate in business administration from The School of International Corporate Strategy at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, Japan.
Lorraine Hariton leads Catalyst, a global nonprofit working with some of the world’s most powerful CEOs and leading companies to help build workplaces that work for women. Catalyst’s vision and mission have long been a passion for Hariton. Her extensive career includes senior-level positions in Silicon Valley as an entrepreneur and executive. She began her career at IBM, has served in the Obama administration at the Department of State, and developed the Global STEM Alliance at the NY Academy of Sciences. Hariton has been involved in women’s leadership initiatives throughout her career, serving on the boards of U.N. Women Global Innovation Coalition for Change, the Stanford Clayman Institute for Gender Research, and the Forum for Entrepreneurs and Executives.
President and Chief Executive Officer, The American College of Financial Services
A life of private sector experience and public service brought George Nichols to The American College of Financial Services, where he shares its commitment to benefitting society by educating and influencing the financial services profession. Nichols joined The College after a 17-year stint at New York Life, where he held principal roles in sales, strategic initiatives, and public policy. Prior to joining New York Life, he was Kentucky’s first African-American insurance commissioner. Nichols has twice made the list of Savoy’s “Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America,” (2018 and 2012). These accolades were born from opportunities that he is passionate about extending through The College’s diversity initiatives.
Tim Ryan is responsible for leading the culture and setting the tone on quality for PwC’s U.S. firm and its approximately 55,000 employees and partners. He serves on the U.S. Board of Partners and Principals as well as the Network Leadership Team (NLT), which includes the senior partners from the network’s four largest territories. He also serves as Asia Pacific Americas (APA) Leader and drives activity in that region. In addition, Ryan worked with a small group of CEOs to launch CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ — now the largest ever CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace, with more than 1,000 signatory organizations.
Michael Hyter is an accomplished senior executive, leadership consultant, and thought leader specializing in the development of enterprise leaders and their next generation successors. He joined Korn Ferry in 2012, after the acquisition of Global Novations, where he served as President and Managing Partner. Hyter has a wealth of experience in strategic diversity and inclusion consulting. His work has been underscored by the belief that one of the most effective ways to impact an organization's bottom line is by growing and developing the talent within the organization. Hyter is co-author of The Power of Inclusion: Unlock the Potential and Productivity of Your Workforce. He was recognized by Savoy Magazine in 2016 and 2018 as one of the most influential blacks in corporate America.
NATHALIA BELLIZIA, Partner, Boston Consulting Grpup ROBERT EHREN, FSA, CLU, ChFC, Senior Vice President, Business Services, Securian Financial Group CAROLINE FEENEY, CLU, ChFC, CEO of Individual Solutions, Prudential Financial, Inc. JOHN VACCARO, Head of MassMutual Financial Advisors, Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company Moderator:GINA BIRCHALL, J.D., LLIF, Chief Operating Officer, LIMRA, LOMA, and LL Global, Inc. Moderator:TODD SILVERHART, Ph.D., Corporate Vice President and Director, Research Quality & Performance, LIMRA
COVID-19 required companies to quickly shift practices in order to continue doing business. Some temporary changes will likely become the “new normal,” as the move toward digital accelerates and customer expectations continue to evolve. In this session we will share some of the findings that our CX task force has uncovered over the past few months on the evolution of CX as well as relevant experience within our panelists’ companies.
SANJAY KANIYAR, Partner, McKinsey & Company; KARTIK SAKTHIVEL, Vice President and Chief Information Officer, LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global, Inc.; Moderator:PATRICK LEARY, Corporate Vice President, Workplace Benefits Research, LIMRA
In an era of acronym soup and breakneck technological progress, it can be difficult to separate hype from reality and focus on the appropriate course of action. LIMRA and LOMA are proud to partner with McKinsey & Company to bring you insights on technology trends that will shape our industry over the next three-to-five years. Our work examining data and analytics, accelerated digitization, and platform modernization will not only provide clear direction as organizations embark on their technology journeys, it will also inspire industry leaders to take the necessary steps to thrive in a post-pandemic world. Where are the smart investments to be made? What pitfalls need to be avoided? How can technical debts be managed? Join us as we create a new vision for the future of our industry — enabled by technology.
SCOTT CAMPION, Partner, Oliver Wyman KEVIN HOGAN, Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer, Life & Retirement, AIG MARIANNE PURUSHOTHAM, FSA, MAAA, Corporate Vice President, Research Shared Services and Center of Excellence, LIMRA KRISTIN RICCI, Partner, Insurance, Oliver Wyman DAVID LEVENSON, President and Chief Executive Officer, LIMRA, LOMA, and LL Global, Inc., Moderator
LL Global partnered with Oliver Wyman and 125 executives across the industry to form a Low Interest Rate Executive Task Force. This session will examine the second phase of the task force’s work focused on the customer and distributor. How will a low interest rate environment over the long-term impact customer’s and distributor’s needs and the value propositions of insurance products? The task force conducted a number of surveys and held focus groups to help guide insurers on these questions.
STAS ALFOROV, Director of Research and Development, Gemini Advisory; Moderator:RUSSELL ANDERSON, CFE, Head of Financial Crimes Services, LIMRA, LOMA, and LL Global, Inc.
Have you ever wondered about the malicious fraudsters who attack the financial services industry? How do they get your customers’ data, how are they organized, and how do they learn to carry out their schemes? Join an industry expert to learn about the criminals who succeed at account takeover and compromise the email systems of financial institutions — all by ensnaring their targets with the promise of romance, frightening them with IRS alarms, impersonating IT support, and making fraudulent appeals to their philanthropy.
DENISE BRINKER, FLMI,HIA, Vice President, Learning, HR Operations, Reporting and Analytics, Allianz Life Insurance Company STEVEN HAY, Vice President, Strategy & Learning, Prudential Financial MICHAEL MOLINARO, Vice President & Chief Learning Officer, New York Life Insurance Company Moderator:CARIE CRANE, FLMI, ACS, AIRC, AIAA, Vice President, Professional Development, LOMA
With the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, many insurers escalated their digital transformation plans. Many also quickly accelerated reskilling/upskilling initiatives to ensure that employees were able to be as productive as possible in a remote environment. As companies approach the “next normal,” no doubt the knowledge and skills employees need to continue to be successful will grow and shift as the pace of rapid change continues. In this session, industry experts and thought leaders will explore how financial services companies are adapting and expanding their talent initiatives to prepare existing employees for a new environment and to hire new talent to help drive success.
JUNEEN KIRK, Principal, Financial Services, PwC ALISON SALKA, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Director, Research, LIMRA ANITA POTTER, Assistant Vice President, Insurance Research, Workplace Benefits, LIMRA, Moderator
The economic disruption that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic has strained the finances of millions of U.S. households. Understanding the elements of financial wellness, and helping consumers achieve it, are more important than ever. This session will discuss financial wellness, its measures, and emerging trends. We will also share some insights from the LL Global task force on wellness, which was assembled to identify ways the industry could have an impact on consumer outcomes.
KILIAN BLUM, Head of Digital & Smart Analytics Americas, Swiss Re HEATHER MAJEWSKI, Head of Life & Health Solutions Americas, Swiss Re Moderator:MARIANNE PURUSHOTHAM, FSA, MAAA, Corporate Vice President, Research and Shared Services & Center of Excellence, LIMRA
It's not only technology but also a move towards data sharing in a collaborative approach that will allow us to move our industry forward and close the protection gap. As an industry, we still face the challenge of delivering the right products to serve the financial needs of a wide part of the market. As we think about the end customer and their needs, it's critical that we are open to new data and analytics, in conjunction with technology, that deliver real value and solve long-standing problems in new ways. Swiss Re experts will lead a discussion on how carriers and platforms will need to work together connecting data, devices, and people to enhance the existing value chain and strengthen carrier relationships with customers and distributors.
JOHN BOUDREAU, CLU, ChFC, FLMI, Chief Compliance Officer, Allstate Financial CAILIE CURRIN, President, Currin Compliance Services KYLE JENNINGS, Chief Compliance Officer, AIG Life & Retirement Moderator:SKIP EDMONDS, Head of Compliance and Regulatory Services, LIMRA, LOMA, and LL Global, Inc.
Without question, change continues to dominate our lives, and the industry has been quick to adjust practices for the changing environment. With the existence of a complex regulatory environment, combined with the convergence of new regulations and the economic disruption in the marketplace, the need to realign resources is paramount. Equally important is the need for compliance leaders to chart a clear path through these necessary changes and to keep employees and their teams — already feeling stretched — engaged through these unprecedented times. In this session, we’ll learn what chief compliance officers and premier industry experts have to say about today’s environment and how this is impacting our industry and their programs.
RICHARD VARGO, CEP, CLU, ChFC, Managing Director and Head of Regional Bancassurance, DBS Bank Moderator:RICHARD FUNKE, LLIF, LIMRA, Assistant Vice President, Global Business Development, Talent Solutions, LIMRA
This session will demonstrate how DBS, South East Asia’s largest financial institution and one of the world’s most progressive banks, is transforming the role of its relationship managers through the use of technology and its digital assets. Learn how DBS has equipped its sales force for success by leveraging technology-based initiatives in response to the COVID pandemic. You can also hear about DBS’s relentless focus on the customer journey and the way its “digital to the core” strategy creates great customer experiences.
PATRICK LEARY, LLIF, Corporate Vice President, Workplace Benefits Research, LIMRA Moderator:SEAN O'DONNELL, LLIF, Senior Vice President, Member Relations, LIMRA, LOMA, and LL Global, Inc.
Many predict that the world of work will change fundamentally, with remote and other work arrangements becoming more prevalent. In the wake of the pandemic, how will employees want to learn about, enroll, and manage the insurance benefits they receive at work? What role will digital solutions play? This session will share new LIMRA research exploring employee preferences regarding benefits education, enrollment, and service and the requirements needed to create an engaging customer experience at the workplace.
GREG JAECK, CFA, Senior Product Leader, Retirement Products, Edward Jones ALISON REED, Executive Vice President, Product Solutions, Jackson National Life Distributors LLC CHUCK TOTH, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley TODD GIESING, Senior Director, Annuity Research, Secure Retirement Institute, Moderator
The annuity industry faces significant challenges to growth, yet new opportunities are developing as well. Success will depend on advisors integrating annuities into their overall wealth management practices. At this session, annuity carrier and distribution representatives will discuss the key trends driving change, how companies can leverage customer data and analytics to improve product development, and how annuity companies can better serve the needs of advisors and their clients.
Registration Fees: Entire Event One Day Pass Members: $695 $275 Non-members: $1,045 $415
Note: If your company is a Platinum, Gold, or Silver sponsor listed at the bottom of this page, contact customer.service@limra.com for information on registration.
Cancellation Policy:
In the event that a scheduled meeting or event is cancelled by LIMRA for any reason, LIMRA shall refund any conference registration fees that have been paid by the registrant. Under no circumstances, however, shall LIMRA be liable to the registrant for any other expenses including, but not limited to, airfare and hotel expenses incurred by the registrant.
All cancellations must be received in writing. Email customer.service@limra.com. Cancellations received by October 9, 2020, will be refunded, less a $100 processing fee. No refunds will be issued after October 9, 2020.