AGENDA

All times are listed in Eastern Time. The agenda is subject to change.

Monday, May 5

2:00 – 6:00 p.m. | Registration and Event Information Desk

6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception

Tuesday, May 6

7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Registration and Event Information Desk

8:00 – 8:45 a.m. | Coffee & Connecting

8:45 – 9:15 a.m. | Fraternal Pep Rally

9:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Workshops

Fraternal & Communications Track:
Sharpening Your Video Skills for Society Success: A Hands-On Workshop
- Michael Hoffman, CEO, Gather Voices

Governance & Leadership Track:
The Three Stewardship Imperatives of Fit-for-Purpose Boards
- Jeff De Cagna, Executive Advisor, Foresight First LLC

10:30 a.m. | Break

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. | Workshops

Fraternal & Communications Track:
Social Media as a Megaphone for Fraternal Impact
- Marianne Blando, Social Media Coordinator, 1891 Financial Life
- Sarah Fracek, Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Trusted Fraternal Life
- Natasha Herleman, Digital Media & PR Specialist, GBU Life
- Hari Srinivasan, Founder & CEO, iCover

Governance & Leadership Track:
Fraternal Gravitas: Projecting Expertise and Confidence for Better Outcomes
- Kevin O’Connor, Certified Executive Coach

11:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Lunch and Networking

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. | Workshops

Fraternal & Communications Track:
Reimagining the Chapter System: Strategies for Restructure and Growth
- Angie Bardsley, Team Lead, Philanthropy, Royal Neighbors of America
- Melissa Gottwalt, Fraternal Impact Manager, Modern Woodmen of America
- Keri Rursch, Fraternal Director, Modern Woodmen of America

Governance & Leadership Track:
Appropriate Fraternal Spend: What’s Too Much or Too Little for a Tax-Exempt Insurer?
- Mike Ahles, Senior Vice President of Distribution, Trusted Fraternal Life
- Chris Campbell, CEO & Chair of the Board, BetterLife

2:15 p.m. | Break

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Workshops

Fraternal & Communications Track:
Making Your Case for Fraternal Department Change: Strategies for Preventing Resistance
- Kevin O’Connor, Certified Executive Coach

Governance & Leadership Track:
Fraternal Executive Compensation: The Right Talent, The Right Pay
- Brett Herand, Managing Director, Pearl Meyer
- Tony Mravle, President & CEO, KSKJ Life
- Steve Shaffer, CEO, Homesteaders Life

3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | First Concert Memories & Fraternal Impact at the Symposium Soundstage!

What was the first concert you ever attended? Share your stories, connect with fellow members, and make a difference!

This unique networking experience blends music, fraternalism, and service as we team up with Blessings in a Backpack to assemble 500 bags of weekend meals for children in the Cleveland area.

4:30 p.m. | Adjourn

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. | Reception

Wednesday, May 7

8:00 a.m. – 11:45 p.m. | Registration and Event Information Desk

8:00 – 8:45 a.m. | Coffee & Connecting

8:45 – 9:00 a.m. | Alliance Remarks

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. | Keynote

Developing a Foresightly Perspective for the Turbulent Twenties
- Jeff De Cagna, Executive Advisor, Foresight First LLC

9:45 | Break

10:00 – 11:00 a.m. | Workshops

Fraternal & Communications Track:
Building Stronger Communities with Powerful Member Events
- Derek Hohn, Director, Fraternal Programs, Croatian Fraternal Union
- Jennifer Stockdale, AVP Communications & Community Development, GBU Life
- Angel Thomas, Senior Vice President Member Engagement, BetterLife

Governance & Leadership Track:
Balancing Risk and Reward: ERM Strategies for Success
- Andrew Edelsberg, SVP, Head of Business Development – Life Solutions Group, Gallagher Re
- Chris Myers, New England Asset Management
- Bobbi Sedor, AVP, Enterprise Risk Management, GBU Life

11:00 – 11:45 a.m. | Networking Activity - Coming Soon!

11:45 a.m. | Adjourn

REGISTRATION LIMITATION POLICIES

Spring Symposium is limited to members of the American Fraternal Alliance.

• Member Fraternal Benefit Societies: Unlimited registrants.

• Symposium Sponsors: Maximum of two registrants.

• Associate Members: One registrant who must sign a non-solicitation policy.

These policies will be strictly enforced. If you have questions about these limitations, please email info@fraternalalliance.org.

REGISTRATION RATES

Fraternal Member Staff/Board: $510
Vendor (Associate Member) - Sponsor: $510
Vendor (Associate Member) - Non-Sponsor: $1,210
Registration rates increase April 14, 2025.

SPECIAL OFFER: Each member society will receive two $125 meeting stipends. The stipend code and additional details were sent to society CEOs. Please click here for more information and contact info@fraternalalliance.org.