BIP Spring 2025

Dave Mordo and some of our other members knew people up there and got him an interview — and he got the job." Another participant later pursued a political career after attending the conference and is now an Alabama State Representative. To keep students engaged, NABIP Alabama offers honorary memberships. “They get a little plaque and make a speech about their experience,” Phillips says. “We’ve seen this exposure change lives, opening doors students didn’t even know existed.” Phillips emphasizes the importance of keeping in touch with participants long after the conference. “Many of them stay on my radar through Facebook. I see when they get married, start new jobs, or even run for office,” she says. “It’s all about maintaining those relationships.” Expanding on a national scale NABIP is working to build on initiatives like Alabama’s with

the newly envisioned Workforce Leadership Institute. “We’re expanding it beyond CEs to be more applicable to anyone in the industry — especially younger professionals and students,” says Brooke Willson, SVP of Strategy & Innovation at NABIP. A key focus of this effort is strengthening university partnerships. “We’ve got great connections with Temple, Alabama and Florida, and we’re using what we’ve learned from Pennsylvania’s leadership program to develop something more national,” Willson says. Another critical piece is NABIP’s evolving mentorship program. “It’s becoming more of a self-driven program,” Willson adds. “People will be able to self select their mentors, see pictures and profiles, and choose based on their preferences — whether they want a local mentor, someone in their specialty or someone with a broader perspective.” The new system will make it easier for mentors and mentees to connect. “Previously, the

Now an Alabama State Representative, Brock Colvin, 2017 participant, poses with former Rep. Martha Roby, R-Ala. Colvin is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial

Services in Albertville, Alabama.

process took a while. Now, people can find a match much more quickly, making the program more responsive and engaging,” Willson says. Opportunities for local chapters Both Phillips and Willson see tremendous potential for NABIP chapters nationwide to adopt similar initiatives. “If someone reads this and thinks, ‘My local university could be a good fit,’ I’d love for them to reach out to me,” Phillips says. To identify and engage new professionals, NABIP Alabama has also begun purchasing insurance license lists from the Department of Insurance. “It shows when someone was first licensed, so we can reach out to newer professionals and invite them to events,” Phillips says. Willson sees these efforts as essential for the future of the industry. “You have to look to the young to help you move forward,” she says. “Even members whose kids don’t want to take over their businesses need to think about recruiting the next generation.”

Joe Pronti, 2018 participant, poses with Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala. Pronti worked for NABIP member GIS Benefits shortly after college graduation.

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