Joe Kenny, FSA, MAAA

Joe Kenny, FSA, MAAA, is Vice President, Product Management at Physicians Mutual Insurance Company in Omaha, NE, which he joined in November 2024. In this role, he is accountable for pricing, product development and product management for all Life and Health products, including Medicare Supplement, Dental, Life and Preneed. Prior to joining Physicians Mutual, Joe spent 17 years at Mutual of Omaha and 17 years at Allstate Financial, primarily focused on developing and managing individual life and annuity products.    

Heather Kiteley

Heather Kiteley is a respected and seasoned leader in Canada's funeral sector. A second generation licensed Funeral Director, for over 30 years, Heather is passionate about consumer protection, governance, and helping Canadians plan for end of life with confidence. She holds both Funeral Director and Insurance licences, along with an MBA from McMaster University. As President and CEO of GFD of Canada, Heather works closely with industry associations, regulators, and government stakeholders to advance best practices and strengthen consumer protections while supporting sustainable growth and member success nationwide.

Dean Lambert

Dean Lambert is Executive Director of the Life Insurers Council (LIC), a networking forum where senior-level life insurance executives exchange information and practical solutions to shared challenges. The LIC is part of LIMRA/LOMA, a global leader in life insurance research and education. Lambert’s path to the insurance sector included working in broadcasting and co-founding a marketing communications firm that grew into a leader in serving the marketing and PR needs of funeral homes across America. In 1998 he began a 25-year career with Homesteaders Life Company, a national leader in prearranged funeral funding. He joined the LIC after retiring as Homesteaders’ marketing and communications officer in 2023. 

Fernand LeBlanc

Fernand LeBlanc is President of the Preplanning Solutions business for TruStage. A seasoned leader with more than 20 years of experience in the Preneed and life insurance industry, Fernand joined TruStage through an acquisition in 2021.  His responsibilities include P&L accountabilities for the U.S. and Canadian businesses, along with setting and executing the long-term strategy to drive Preneed growth across North America. Fernand is a fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, the U.S. Society of Actuaries and is an advisory board member of the LIC. Originally from Canada, Fernand currently resides in Woodstock, Georgia with his wife and two teenage children. 

Gail Marquardt

Gail Marquardt is Vice President of Consumer Engagement for the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), where she leads the association’s Communications and Marketing division and oversees Remembering A Life, NFDA’s consumer education initiative. She develops strategies that strengthen member engagement, promote NFDA’s programs and services, and support funeral professionals through advocacy, education, resources, and community. Through Remembering A Life, Gail advances public awareness of the value of meaningful funerals, the essential role of funeral directors, and the importance of honoring and remembering loved ones in ways that foster healing and connection. 

Syed Raza, FSA, MAAA

Syed Raza, FSA, MAAA, is the founder of Actuarial 360 Solutions, an independent actuarial consulting practice serving small life insurers, preneed carriers, and fraternal benefit societies. He serves as Appointed Actuary for Funeral Directors Life Insurance Company and is qualified to act as appointed actuary in all 50 states. Syed brings more than 18 years of life insurance experience, including roles at Transamerica, Ernst & Young, Actuarial Resources Corporation, and MetLife, with expertise in valuation, reserving, pricing, and regulatory compliance. He is the author of The Independent Actuary and publishes MyActuary Weekly, a newsletter for the actuarial community.

Audrey Wittenburg, ACS, FLMI

Audrey Wittenburg, ACS, FLMI, is Director of Operations for the Life Insurers Council of LIMRA and LOMA, where she facilitates and manages networking and educational value for senior executives from small-to-midsize insurance companies and others involved in the final expense and preneed business. She works closely with members and researchers to produce the annual LIMRA/LIC Preneed Survey Report.

Brian Young

Starting his professional career in Manufacturing and Engineering, Brian Young has served in a multitude of leadership roles focused on quality and service. With a passion for cultivating growth, Brian serves as a Worship Pastor, School Board President, and, in his most important role, a father of three and husband to his wife, Suzanne.

Believing volunteerism and public service are strong footholds to strengthen our communities, Brian works with various organizations in lobbying local, state, and federal policies to further both private and non-profit positive influence in our communities. 

With a passion for serving others and growing organizations, Brian brings a unique and broad experience level to LCBA.