Beyond the Challenge

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge we talked with Brad Mendenhall, President, Insurance Solutions at Concourse Financial Group. Brad has over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, specifically in the areas of sales, operations, and sales leadership.

Concourse offers an innovative approach to holistic insurance and financial planning support for growth-oriented financial professionals. They bring the right experts, products, and services together to take their clients business to the next level.

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge we are talked with Brian Lauber, Senior Vice President Disability Income at Ash Brokerage about the trends, challenges, and opportunities he sees for the Disability and Insurance industry. Brian works with field distribution to increase awareness about vitally important income protection for individuals, business owners and their employees.

Ash Brokerage gives financial professionals the tools to secure their clients future. Whether you're a seasoned pro or new to the insurance business, you'll find your fit at Ash Brokerage.

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge we are talked with Wayne Chopus, President and CEO of the Insured Retirement Institute about the trends, challenges, and opportunities he sees for the Retirement and Insurance industry. The IRI is the leading trade association for the insured retirement industry.

The association champions retirement security for all through leadership in advocacy, awareness, research, the advancement of digital solutions, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within a collaborative industry community.

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge, we talked with Rob Arena, Co-President, and Head of Individual Markets at Global Atlantic about how Global Atlantic is staying relevant and what they are doing different from other carriers to stay ahead.

Global Atlantic Financial Group is a leader is the U.S. life insurance and annuity industry serving the needs of individuals and institutions. Rob also oversees operations and technology. He has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, including leadership of The Hartford’s annuity business and President, Hartford Mutual Funds. Previously, he served as Senior Vice President for American Skandia/Prudential Annuities.

This podcast is intended for financial professional use and not for use with the public. Opinions expressed do not constitute a recommendation and should not be considered tax, legal or estate planning advice.

Global Atlantic Financial Group (Global Atlantic) is the marketing name for The Global Atlantic Financial Group LLC and its subsidiaries, including Forethought Life Insurance Company and Accordia Life and Annuity Company. Each subsidiary is responsible for its own financial and contractual obligations. These subsidiaries are not authorized to do business in New York.

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge, we talked with Amy Friedrich, President, US Insurance Solutions at Principal Financial Group about the trends, challenges, and opportunities she sees for small businesses.

In her work at Principal, Amy talks with small business owners and their employees about ways to mitigate increased stress brought on by the ongoing impacts of the pandemic and associated economic factors, including how to tailor employee benefits packages to support mental health and well-being, or advice to mitigate inflationary impacts.

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge, we talked with Brandon Carter, President at USAA Life about the trends, challenges, and opportunities he sees for USAA and the insurance marketplace.

Brandon is leading the strategy to digitally transform their health, life and retirement companies and is focused on preserving USAA’s legendary service and commitment to its 13 million members while enhancing financial strength and employee engagement.

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge, we went back to past interviews to compare and discuss what some of our most influential guest said when we asked them what they thought about Google and Amazon entering the insurance marketplace and how it will affect the industry.

In this episode, you will hear from Chris Blunt, President, and CEO at F&G Annuities and Life, Mike DeKoning, SVP Insurance at Thrivent Financial, Norm Trainor, President and CEO at The Covenant Group, Nick Lane, President of Equitable, and Bruce Parker, President Global Life Insurance at Pan-American Life.

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge, we talked with George Nichols, President, and CEO, of The American College of Financial Services, about the trends, challenges, and opportunities he sees for the Insurance industry.

George Nichols III currently serves as the 10th President and CEO in the storied history of The American College of Financial Services. A life of private sector experience and public service brought Nichols to The College, and he shares its commitment to benefit society by educating and influencing the financial services profession. He joined The College after a 17-year stint at New York Life, where he held principal roles in sales, strategic initiatives, and public policy. In 2006, Nichols was named to the company’s Executive Management Committee, a group of senior executives tasked with assisting the CEO in setting company policy. He also served as Executive Vice President in the Office of Governmental Affairs: a position encompassing all of the legislative, regulatory, and public policy issues at the company.

Prior to joining New York Life, Nichols was the State of Kentucky’s first Black insurance commissioner. Nichols has been acclaimed for his efforts to drive transformative change in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the financial services profession and elsewhere.

In this episode of Beyond the Challenge, we talked with Chris Blunt, President, and CEO, at F&G Annuities and Life, about the trends, challenges, and opportunities he sees for the Insurance industry.

Chris Blunt joined F&G in 2019 after 33 years in a variety of insurance, investment management and wealth management roles. Most recently, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Blackstone Insurance Solutions, after nearly 13 years at New York Life in a variety of executive leadership roles. Chris is a Trustee of the American College of Financial Services and serves on the board of the YMCA of Greater New York.

In Beyond the Challenge episode 29, we went back to past interviews to compare and discuss what some of our most influential guests said when we asked them “What is your opinion about the future of insurance regulations and compliance?”

In this episode you will hear from David Levenson, President, and CEO for LIMRA and LL Global, Rino D’Onofrio, President and CEO RBC Life Company, Jon Stenberg, EVP, Individual Life for Symetra, Tom Hegna, President, TomHegna.com, and Bill Wheeler, President, Athene Holdings.