BIP Winter 2025

Voices

Staying in the fight Leadership comes in many forms. At its core, it’s about service and the drive to make meaningful change. By Tim Kanter

I have 30-plus years in the insurance industry, but during that time have been involved in many businesses and nonprofits. This experience has given me a broad foundation I can draw on to support NABIP. I’ve built a multi-million dollar agency, led acquisitions and coached other agents and agencies through their own growth. I’ve also founded and scaled national nonprofits, launched thriving divisions and led marketing for a startup that grew into a multi million-dollar enterprise. With this background, saying yes to leading the Office of Transformation was as natural as staying involved after the election. In my past roles as local and state president, I saw firsthand how dedicated leadership can positively impact members, and ultimately, their clients. Now, I have the chance to help drive that impact on a national scale. Under the leadership of Jessica Brooks-Woods, the Office of Transformation will help accelerate NABIP’s growth, expand its reach and strengthen its mission to improve healthcare access and quality for the people we all serve. That is what I’m passionate about. That is why I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere. I look forward to this next chapter and to working alongside my fellow members to help this association to thrive.

When I decided to run for Vice President of the NABIP Board of Trustees this past July, one question came up repeatedly: If you don’t win, will you still stay involved? I found that question fascinating because to me, the answer was obvious. But I understood why others asked. Historically, in NABIP (and in many organizations), candidates who don’t win sometimes fade away. They stop showing up, stop contributing and essentially “take their toys and go home.”

Tim Kanter is benefit sales manager for California with InsZone Insurance and serves as the Director of Transformation for NABIP.

“ ”

clients. My clients deserve access to affordable, high-quality care that enables them to live long, healthy lives. NABIP is one of the best tools I have to help make that happen. Supporting NABIP is simply an extension of supporting my clients. Running for NABIP office was one way to contribute to that mission. When I set out to run, I knew that if I couldn’t help in that role, I would help in another. That will remain my stance for as long as I’m in this industry, and likely beyond. Office of Transformation Not long after the election, I was invited to lead a new initiative: the NABIP Office of Transformation. This office will raise funds, awareness, and the bar for what NABIP can accomplish.

My clients deserve access to affordable, high-quality care that enables them to live long, healthy lives. NABIP is one of the best tools I have to help make that happen.

For me, that was never an option. I didn’t even consider it. How could I walk away from one of the most influential organizations, fighting every day to protect and improve access to quality healthcare for the people I serve — my clients? I can’t. Another common question was why I’m so passionate about NABIP. The truth is, my passion isn’t for NABIP itself; it’s for my

26 bip magazine Winter 2025