Agenda

Tuesday, April 2

2 – 2:15 p.m.

Welcoming Remarks

2:15 – 3:15 p.m.

A View from the Top: CEO Fireside Chat

Start your conference experience with this informative discussion and a macro view from some of the top industry leaders. Our lead-off session convenes three industry CEOs to provide a broad, strategic overview of the insured retirement industry’s most pressing challenges and most significant opportunities.

Jasmine Jirele

President & CEO
Allianz Life Insurance Company

Bio

Wayne Chopus

MODERATOR

President & CEO
Insured Retirement Institute
Bio

3:15 – 3:30 p.m.

IRI Award Presentation

IRI’s awards program acknowledges leaders who make valuable contributions to the insured retirement industry. During this presentation, IRI will be honoring the recipient of the Leadership Award.

3:30 – 4 p.m.

Networking Break

4 – 5 p.m.

The Music of Business

The mysterious and dangerous world of jazz is a cauldron of spontaneous creativity. And in times of radical change and uncertainty, it serves as the perfect model for modern leadership.

Professional jazz guitarist and prolific entrepreneur Josh Linkner connects the dots between jazz and business, helping to unlock the secrets of some of the world’s most creative geniuses. Using live jazz as a metaphor for collaborative innovation, this session is entertaining, inspiring, and directly applicable to the daily challenges we face in business.

Donne Atis

INTRODUCTION

Senior Vice President, Business Relationship Management, Broker Dealer
Global Atlantic Financial Group

Bio

Closing Remarks

5 – 6:30 p.m.

Welcome Reception

Did you know Nashville is known for its speakeasy scene? Join us for an evening of networking, refreshments, and fun at IRI’s exclusive speakeasy. Access the hidden door with your passcode, and help us kick off a great conference at the Welcome Reception sponsored by Jackson.

Wednesday, April 3

7:30 – 9 a.m.

Sponsored Thought Leadership Presentation & Legal Forums

Innovating for Annuities: Why Evolutions in Indexing Matter

As the market for indexed annuities has grown meaningfully since the introduction of the first fixed index annuity in 1995, so too has the volume and complexity of the indices used within these products. While indexing’s evolution beyond benchmark equity indices like the S&P 500 has helped drive value for policyholders, the growing complexity demands more education to ensure there is a high degree of confidence in and understanding of the relationship between the index and product. This session will explore:

• What role indices play within the annuity market
• How and why indexing for insurance has evolved over time
• Why index providers and insurance carriers need to focus on education

Kelsey Stokes

Sales Head, Insurance
S&P Dow Jones Indices

Bio

Replacement Automation Round Table Discussion

What can 1035YellowPages provide to remove friction from the Financial Professional experience and streamline the back-office replacement process? Distributor, IMO, Carrier New Business Replacement Management, and Financial Professional Partners share YOUR THOUGHTS — which are ESSENTIAL to model future 1035YellowPages replacement process enhancements. Topics dictated by participants could include eSignature conditional acceptance triggers, back-office officer stamped signature automation or carrier search enhancements.

Jeremy Stephenson

AVP, Head of Business Development Operations
Sammons

The SEC Regulatory Landscape: New Cases, New Rules

Three Carlton Fields attorneys — all former SEC attorneys — will share their insight in untangling a host of new SEC rules and proposals dealing with RILAs, climate disclosures, tailored shareholder reports, updates to the custody rule, Reg BI, and Conflicts of Interest Related to Predictive Data Analytics and Similar Technologies.

Tom Conner

Shareholder
Carlton Fields, P.A.

Ann Furman

MODERATOR

Shareholder
Carlton Fields, P.A.

7:30 – 9:10 a.m.

Networking Breakfast

9:10 – 9:15 a.m.

Opening Remarks

9:15 – 10:15 a.m.

Playing at Your Peak: Performance Principles for Workplace Success

A seasoned sports psychologist who serves as director of performance and mental health for the Chicago Bulls, Dr. Wendy Borlabi shares new and customized approaches to high performance on the individual and team levels rooted in mission, purpose, and a deep understanding of mindset and its role in achievement. In this session, Dr. Borlabi opens audiences’ eyes to the mental barriers that stand in the way of success. She provides the same tools and strategies she has shared with elite athletes and Fortune 500 companies to help anyone in any industry adopt an athlete’s mindset. Dr. Borlabi helps individuals to identify strengths and weaknesses within themselves and their teams, set meaningful goals, capitalize on opportunities for innovation and growth, and challenge themselves to perform beyond their best when the lights are shining brightest.

We are pleased to have Dr. Borlabi speak as part of our Women in Leadership Initiative. All attendees are invited to attend this session.

Andrew Farrell

MODERATOR

Senior Vice President, Retirement Sales, Distribution, & Marketing, Retirement Division, Symetra Financial

Bio

Be-Labor-ing the Point: The Never-Ending DOL Fiduciary Rule Saga

For nearly a decade and a half, the Department of Labor has been trying to significantly expand the reach of its fiduciary rule. The fourth go-around is now underway and yet another final rule is seemingly inevitable. In anticipation of a final rule, a panel of experts from across the industry will discuss the proposal’s potential impact on existing distribution models, compensation practices, compliance policies and procedures, and more. Join us as we cut through all the noise to explore how the DOL’s latest fiduciary rule proposal will shape the future of the industry.

Tom Roberts

Principal
Groom Law Group
Bio

Brian Williams

Co-Chief Executive Officer
Financial Independence Group

Bio

11 – 11:30 a.m.

Networking Break

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

 Digital First 

Future Proofing the Annuity Market with Digital First

Carrier, distributor, and solution provider panelists will discuss IRI’s Digital First for Annuities initiative and provide their perspectives regarding what is needed to future-proof our industry. Industry leaders will discuss IRI efforts to support a scalable future that ensures firms can easily meet financial professionals and consumers in the tools they use to manage their business.

Susan Fiengo

Managing Director, Head of Customer Experience & Analytics
Global Atlantic Financial Group

Bio

Sean Hurd

Vice President, Merrill Annuity and Insurance Operations
Bank of America, Merrill Lynch

Bio

Katherine Dease

MODERATOR

Chief Technology & Innovation Officer
Insured Retirement Institute

Bio

 Annuity Market 

Speaking Their Language: Communicating the Value of Annuities

How we speak to advisors and consumers about annuities can make a tremendous difference in how annuities are perceived … and received. Panelists will discuss the real-world implications of findings from recent research that will increase the effectiveness of our communications around annuities. This can help financial professionals and consumers alike better understand annuities, moving past jargon and words with negative connotations and focusing on annuities’ unique and powerful features and benefits.

Ann Nanda

Head of Future Growth Initiatives & Distribution Enablement
Prudential

Tiffany Westover-Kernan

MODERATOR

Executive Vice President & Managing Director
The Alliance for Lifetime Income

 Legal & Regulatory 

Leading from the Front Lines: Standards of Conduct Across the States

Over the last few years, the state regulatory landscape has evolved as over 40 states have now adopted the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Best Interest Model updates, and companies are implementing this enhanced standard of conduct requirement. Panelists will discuss compliance and implementation of best practices and challenges related to the NAIC Best Interest Model updates, and continued advocacy efforts on the NAIC Best Interest Model, North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), and other potential state fiduciary proposals.

Courtney Hess

Associate General Counsel
Corebridge Financial

Bio

Matt Ahmann

MODERATOR

Senior Director, State Government & Policy Affairs
Transamerica, and Vice Chair, IRI State Affairs Committee

Bio

12:15 – 12:30 p.m.

Transition Break

12:30 – 1:15 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

 Legal & Regulatory  and  Digital First 

Exploring AI: Use Cases, Opportunities, Ethical Frameworks, and the Regulatory Landscape

Industry experts will explore how the different types of AI are being used today in their firm and how they may be used in the future. Panelists will share best practices for implementing and evaluating AI from a compliance and risk management perspective and the ethical frameworks in place to guide their strategy. Regulatory impacts such as the NAIC Model Bulletin: Use of Artificial Intelligence Systems by Insurers and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposed regulation on Conflicts of Interest Associated with the Use of Predictive Data Analytics (PDA) will also be discussed.

Kaitlin Elliott

Head of the Wealth Management Generative AI Solutions Team
Morgan Stanley

Bio

Heidi Kaiser

MODERATOR

Vice President & Chief Compliance Officer
Jackson and Vice Chair, IRI Compliance and Implementation Committee

 Legal & Regulatory 

Lost in the Maze? Navigating Federal Regulation of the Annuity Industry

As annuities continue to play a crucial role in retirement planning, this session will address the complex labyrinth of proposed federal rules impacting the annuity industry. A panel of legal and regulatory experts will discuss federal proposals, revealing regulators’ lack of comprehension of the annuity industry they seek to regulate. Examples include the DOL’s newest iteration of its fiduciary rule, the SEC’s PDA conflicts, custody proposed rules, and the SEC’s Registered Indexed-Linked Annuities (RILA) related activity, illustrating a profound misunderstanding and misinterpretation of the annuity industry and its products.

Harry Eisenstein

Shareholder
Carlton Fields

Bio

Keith Mancini

MODERATOR

Vice President, Government Affairs
Empower

Bio

 Annuity Market 

Annuity Innovations

At their core, annuities offer investors the opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-deferred basis and generate lifetime guaranteed income for retirement. Fixed, variable, fixed indexed, and registered index-linked annuities, especially when paired with living benefits in a more normalized interest rate environment, continually evolve to meet the needs of changing investment and economic environments and shifting advisor and consumer demand. Product development experts will discuss innovations in annuity products, underlying investment options, and opportunities driven by new markets such as in-plan annuities and contingent deferred annuities.

Tom Haines

Executive Vice President, Capital Markets & Index Solutions
Annexus

Bio

Daniel Yem

Executive Director, Head of Retirement Income
J.P. Morgan Asset Management

1:15 – 2:15 p.m.

Networking Lunch

2:30 – 3:15 p.m.

Concurrent Sessions

 Digital First  and  Annuity Market 

Creating Holistic Financial Plans with Insured Products

The current and future state of holistic financial planning as it relates to the inclusion of insurance products will be discussed. Industry leaders will explore major obstacles and barriers to incorporating insured income in financial plans and suggest a pathway forward to address these barriers. Join this distinguished group to find out how we can make it easier for financial professionals to include insurance products in their plans and discussions with consumers.

Greg Jaeck

Senior Product Leader Annuities
Edward Jones

Bio

Daniel Gutman

MODERATOR

Vice President, Platform Strategy
Prudential Financial

Bio

 Legal & Regulatory 

Decision 2024: Electoral Consequences for the Future of Retirement Security

The November 2024 presidential and congressional elections are fast approaching, and our nation’s political environment remains volatile. There are unique political and legislative dynamics at play between an incumbent Democratic President seeking re-election and a Congress where the control of the slim majority of the Democrats in the Senate and Republicans in the House may be in jeopardy of changing following the election. As a result, the insured retirement industry faces challenges and opportunities to accomplish its legislative and regulatory priorities. During this session, a panel of inside-the-beltway political and industry experts will share their views on how the industry can defend and advance its policy and political priorities.

Rick Murphy

Partner
Forbes Tate Partners

Bio

Kelley Williams

Partner
Forbes Tate Partners

Bio

3:15 – 3:30 p.m.

Transition Break

3:30 – 5 p.m.

Charity Rock Band

Join us for a rockin’ and rollin’ good time assembling guitars and gifting to deserving teens in the Nashville area. We can’t think of a better way to make a meaningful impact during our time in Music City. We hope all attendees will join us for this fun give-back activity, and for the musicians in attendance, we may have a fun surprise for you!

5 – 6:30 p.m.

Sponsored Thought Leadership Presentation & Legal Forums

Increasing Producer Speed to Market in a Digital Age

Facilitated by a RegEd subject matter expert, a leading insurance carrier and distributor will discuss how modern, streamlined processes to achieve real-time and near-real-time “can-sell” can eliminate NIGOs and speed producer time to market.

Angela Pace

Chief Operating Officer
RegEd

Introducing the Insurance Exchange Powered by FIDX and iCapital: Your One-Stop Shop to Place and Manage Annuity Business

Join FIDX and iCapital to learn how our integrated platforms are reshaping the annuity technology landscape. We’ve fulfilled our promise of a unified solution by eliminating the need for multiple platforms. Several distributors are already on board.

Broker-dealer representatives, discover how our platform streamlines all annuity operations in one place and enhances an advisor’s day-to-day business. Insurance companies, learn how you will finally benefit from significant cost savings and efficiencies that other technology platforms have only been able to promise in the past. Don’t miss this opportunity to be at the forefront of this big leap forward in the annuity industry.

Scott Stolz, CFP, RICP

Managing Director, Annuities Solutions
iCapital

Bio

Innovations in Annuities: Strategies for RILAs, FIAs, buffered funds, and more

Striking the right note with your product lineup and distribution strategy may produce a hit. Join us for live music and conversation on our latest investment innovations and distribution techniques to help optimize your products. We’ll discuss how you can leverage the power of Invesco QQQ ETF in index design for RILAs and FIAs, as well as use buffered funds and structurally defensive strategies to potentially enhance client outcomes within variable annuities. Stick around after the discussion for live music from Mac Watts & Colin Cross.

Ryan Kagy

Senior Strategic Account Manager
Invesco

Bio

Thursday, April 4

8 – 8:45 a.m.

Breakfast

8:45 – 8:50 a.m.

Opening Remarks

8:50 – 9:10 a.m.

IRI Awards Presentations

IRI’s awards program acknowledges leaders who make valuable contributions to the insured retirement industry. During this presentation, IRI will be honoring the recipients of the following awards: Chairman and Rising Star.

9:10 – 10:10 a.m.

Political Analysis with Chuck Todd

Chuck Todd will provide a comprehensive picture of the ever-changing political landscape, interpreting the most pressing issues facing the country today and offering his insight and analysis into Washington politics and the current administration. As a seasoned journalist and TV veteran, he has an unparalleled perspective on the media’s relationship with Washington and balanced scrutiny of politicians and current events giving audiences an entertaining and edifying experience they won’t soon forget.

Steve Scanlon

MODERATOR

Managing Director, Head of Individual Retirement, Equitable and IRI Board of Directors

Bio

10:10 – 11 a.m.

Leadership in Action: A Conversation with IRI Board Officers

IRI’s 2024 Annual Conference finale is a conversation with officers of the IRI Board of Directors. This interactive session using audience polling will explore the value of trade associations, the importance of the Board of Directors and member engagement, and how the Board measures organizational success and accountability. Also, IRI will announce next year’s conference destination and dates.

Phil Pellegrino

Managing Director, Head of Wealth Planning & Insured Solutions, UBS Financial Services, Inc., and Chair, IRI Board of Directors

Bio

Wayne Chopus

MODERATOR

President & CEO
Insured Retirement Institute

Bio