BISA Portfolio Podcast

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast, host Jim Nickens sits down with BISA members Ron Major of TruStage and Jermaine Perrien of Symetra to discuss the value of recruiting talent from outside the financial services industry. Drawing from their own unique career journeys, Major and Perrien share why they made the transition into financial services, the transferable skills professionals bring from other sectors and how organizations can successfully integrate and develop nontraditional hires.

Tune in to learn:

• Why professionals from outside financial services are increasingly valuable candidates and what attracts them to the industry.
• Which transferable skills, experiences, and leadership qualities can help individuals thrive in financial services, regardless of their previous field.
• How hiring talent with different backgrounds can strengthen organizational culture, encourage innovation, and bring fresh perspectives to longstanding challenges.
• Practical strategies for onboarding and supporting employees who are new to the industry, helping them integrate successfully and contribute quickly.

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast, hosts Jane-ellen Porter (BISA President) and John Olerio (Immediate Past President) sit down with Dan Bonano of Franklin Madison and Jonathon Allen of Westcom Financial, co‑chairs of BISA’s newly organized Membership Committee. Their conversation explores how BISA can deepen year‑round engagement, structure its subcommittees for maximum impact and better demonstrate the real‑world business value of membership across banks, credit unions and service providers. They also reflect on how BISA has shaped their own careers through mentorship, community and networking, and why every member has a role to play in growing the association’s reach and relevance.

Tune in to learn:

• How the new Membership Committee is structured around four key subcommittees — recruitment, retention and satisfaction, engagement and programming, and member services and benefits — and what each is setting out to accomplish.
• Why clarity of value and relevance are central challenges today, and how BISA is reframing membership as a way to solve concrete business problems rather than simply provide events and content.
• What it takes to create year‑round engagement beyond the annual conference, including more targeted programming, clearer communication around benefits and more frequent touchpoints between in‑person events.
• How BISA is working to attract and retain the next generation of leaders, from leveraging the Rising Stars program to building a more digital‑first engagement model.
• Practical ways members can get involved right now — by volunteering for subcommittees, contributing content and inviting colleagues into the community, using conference energy as a launch pad for deeper engagement throughout the year.

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast, guest host Dawn Goldbacher of Franklin Madison talks with Pamela Dawson of U.S. Bank, Kelly Lytle of Proformex, and Leslie Anderson of BMO about how lessons from sports translate into leadership and teamwork across financial services. Recorded live at the BISA Annual Conference in Tampa, their conversation explores building trust with teams and clients, leading with care and transparency and why collective success matters more than individual stats — on the field and in the office.

Tune in to learn:

• How sports experiences shape servant leadership, resilience and accountability in wealth management and insurance.
• Why caring, vulnerability and intentional communication are essential for building trust during uncertain and volatile markets.
• How great leaders “prepare to be ready,” creating multiple game plans to support advisors and clients through market cycles.
• What Dawn, Pamela, Kelly and Leslie see as the core traits of winning teams — and how to apply those principles inside your own financial institution.

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast, guest host Jim Nickens of SWAN Financial Group talks with Pamela Dawson of U.S. Bank and Logan Hickman of Nationwide about how BISA’s newly renamed Impact & Vision Committee is advancing belonging across the financial services industry. Recorded live at the BISA Annual Conference in Tampa, their conversation covers the committee’s evolution, the launch of the Rising Star program and why this work is critical to serving today’s — and tomorrow’s — clients.

Tune in to learn:

• How the shift to Impact & Vision better reflects the committee’s mission while keeping its core focus intact.
• How the Rising Star program and mentorship are creating real career opportunities for emerging leaders.
• Why representation and inclusion are business‑critical for reaching diverse communities that need financial advice.
• What Pamela and Logan hope the industry will look like in five years — and practical ways to get involved through BISA and within your own firm.

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast, guest host Jim Nickens of Swan Financial Group sits down with a group of BISA members to explore how real, often nontraditional, career journeys are shaping the future of financial services. Recorded live at the BISA Annual Conference in Tampa, the conversation features Ron Major (TruStage), Kylie Murray (Sammons Institutional Group), Vanessa Wilson (BMO), Heather Hepburn (Webster Investments), and Brett Carmichael (Nationwide) as they share the turning points that brought them into the industry and the lessons they want the next generation to hear. 

Their stories highlight why embracing unexpected opportunities, investing in mentorship and widening the industry’s talent pipeline are critical for individual careers as well as for the long‑term health, diversity and resilience of institutions themselves. There is no single “right” way into financial services, only the willingness to learn and say yes when doors open. 

Tune in to learn:

• How unconventional paths — like starting in broadcast journalism or aspiring to be a librarian — can lead to impactful careers in financial services when paired with curiosity and courage to try something new.
• Why mentorship and sponsorship were pivotal, and how leaders taking a chance on emerging talent can change the entire trajectory of a career.
• How representation and visibility influence who sees themselves in this business, and why fixing the “pipeline problem” starts with diverse leaders at senior and C‑suite levels.
• The soft skills that will define tomorrow’s top performers, especially emotional intelligence, adaptability, lifelong learning and integrity — and how young professionals can be intentional about building them.
• Practical advice from all five guests for students and early‑career professionals on networking with purpose, asking for opportunities and confidently articulating their goals inside their firms.

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast, guest host Heather Broderick of LPL sits down with new BISA President Jane‑ellen Porter of Wilmington Advisors at M&T to discuss building the next generation of advisor talent — and why solving the talent gap is business‑critical for institutions today. Recorded live at the BISA Annual Conference in Tampa, their conversation explores how intentional development, mentorship,and inclusion can secure both client outcomes and firm growth for years to come.

Tune in to learn:

• Why the aging advisor population and the coming great wealth transfer make a proactive talent strategy essential to retaining clients and assets.
• The core qualities Jane‑ellen looks for in advisor candidates — beyond credentials — including passion for helping people, work ethic and the ability to pass key licensing exams.
• How a structured 18-24 month development pathway, with sales managers as managers and seasoned advisors as mentors, can successfully grow juniors into high‑producing financial advisors.
• How BISA’s Rising Stars program and the work of the Impact and Vision Committee are helping attract women and underrepresented professionals into advisory, operations and compliance roles — and why investing in younger talent now creates “lifers” who will shape the future of the industry.

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast, LeAnn Rummel returns with Lisa D’Ambrosio of MIT AgeLab and Alex Samoila of MassMutual Strategic Distributors to explore why women are becoming the “Chief Consumer Officers” of their households — and what that means for financial professionals. 

Tune in to learn:

• Why 70% of widows change financial professionals — and how empathy and inclusion can prevent attrition.
• How women’s growing financial influence and caregiving roles are reshaping retirement planning.
• The implications of the $84 trillion wealth transfer and why engaging women now is critical.
• Actionable strategies for advisors to build authentic relationships with female clients and future-proof their business.

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast guest host LeAnn Rummel, president and CEO at Cetera Investment Services, talks with Lisa D’Ambrosio of MIT AgeLab and Alex Samoila of MassMutual Strategic Distributors about MassMutual Strategic Distributors' research on how language shapes retirement planning.

Listen in for insights on:

• Why the words people use to describe “life after career” reveal hopes, fears, and priorities beyond financial projections.
• How generational and gender differences in retirement vocabulary can help advisors tailor conversations.
• Why understanding emotional drivers like family, freedom, and security is key to building trust.
• Practical ways advisors can use this research to deepen client relationships and prepare for longevity.

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast, BISA President John Olerio, vice president of weatlh management at Lighthouse Wealth Advisors, talks with Gene Goldman, chief investment officer at Cetera, who draws a surprising parallel between today’s financial markets and the hit TV show "The White Lotus" — where surface-level calm conceals deeper chaos.

Listen in here or on your favorite podcast platform for insights from Goldman on:

• Why the S&P 500’s 28% recovery may be masking rising risks, including tariffs, high yield spreads and bankruptcies.
• How President Trump’s trade imbalance goals face significant economic headwinds.
• The parallels between White Lotus characters and financial figures — including Jay Powell and Armand — and what they reveal about market behavior.
• Why active money management is more important than ever, and how economic data, tariff revenues, and untapped cash reserves point to near-term stock opportunities.

This episode is sponsored by Cetera.

Lighthouse Wealth Advisors is a marketing name of Cetera Investment Services. Securities and Insurance offered through Cetera Investment Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera firms are under separate ownership from any other named entity. 

100 LIGHTHOUSE DR DOVER, NH 03820

Investments: • Are not FDIC/NCUSIF insured • May lose value •  Are not financial institution guaranteed • Are not a deposit • Are not insured by any federal government agency

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member

In this episode of the BISA Portfolio Podcast, John Olerio, BISA president and vice president of wealth management at Lighthouse Wealth Advisors, talks with Gene Goldman, chief investment officer at Cetera, about his top three investment themes for 2025 — the "Great Moderation," the evolving role of the Federal Reserve and the renewed importance of diversification — and how they remain relevant in the last part of the year.

Listen in here or on your favorite podcast app for insights from Goldman:

• Why the economy is showing signs of a slowdown and why the Fed may hold off on rate cuts amid persistent inflation concerns.
• How tariffs — once deflationary — are now expected to drive inflation higher, with 41% of CFOs planning price increases in response.
• Despite market headwinds, Goldman remains optimistic, viewing pullbacks as buying opportunities. He emphasizes the critical role of clear communication and data-driven analysis in navigating market corrections.

This episode is sponsored by Cetera.

Lighthouse Wealth Advisors is a marketing name of Cetera Investment Services. Securities and Insurance offered through Cetera Investment Services, LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. Cetera firms are under separate ownership from any other named entity. 

100 LIGHTHOUSE DR DOVER, NH 03820

Investments: • Are not FDIC/NCUSIF insured • May lose value •  Are not financial institution guaranteed • Are not a deposit • Are not insured by any federal government agency

BISA is the leading financial services industry association dedicated to serving those responsible for the marketing, sales and distribution of securities, insurance and other financial products and advisory services through the bank channel. 

• Visit the Portfolio content hub
• Become a BISA member