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NAIFA 4 Under 40 Awards

Celebrating the Next Generation of Industry Leaders

Nominations for the 2027 NAIFA 4 Under 40 Awards will open Spring 2027.

Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations recognizing the outstanding young professionals shaping the future of the insurance and financial services industry.

The 2026 recipients will be honored during the Belong Awards Celebration, November 9 at the Venetian in Las Vegas.

About the Awards

Each year, NAIFA recognizes four exceptional financial professionals who have demonstrated remarkable career achievement by age 40.

The 4 Under 40 Awards celebrate rising leaders who have made a meaningful impact through professional excellence, leadership, and service. These advisors are committed not only to growing successful businesses but also to serving their clients, supporting their communities, investing in their families, and advancing the profession.

Many past recipients have gone on to become influential industry leaders, sought-after speakers, mentors, and innovators. Their accomplishments reflect the bright future of the financial services profession and inspire the next generation of advisors.

Eligibility

Anyone may nominate a qualified candidate or submit a self-nomination.

While NAIFA membership is not required to submit a nomination or application, recipients must be active NAIFA members by the application deadline and at the time the award is presented.

Looking Ahead

Nominations for the 2027 NAIFA 4 Under 40 Awards are expected to open in March 2027.

Now is the perfect time to begin thinking about the exceptional young professionals in your network who are making a difference. We encourage advisors, colleagues, and industry partners to identify and celebrate those whose leadership, dedication, and accomplishments deserve national recognition.


2026 Recipients
Gillies_Blake

Blake Gillies,
MBA, LUTCF

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Blake Gillies,
MBA, LUTCF

Blake Gillies, MBA, LUTCF, is Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at Wealth Solutions in LaPlace, Louisiana, where he has led his team to three consecutive years of record-setting production across multiple lines. He is a two-time Green Coat recipient as a member of the prestigious Ameritas Inner Circle of the Presidents Club and has been recognized as YAT Leader of the Year for NAIFA-Louisiana. He has served as President of NAIFA-Greater New Orleans and is currently President of NAIFA-Louisiana. He has also served as the Chair of NAIFA’s national Young Advisor Team.
Krawczyk_Thomas

Thomas Krawczyk,
FSCP

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Thomas Krawczyk,
FSCP

Thomas “Tommy” Krawczyk, FSCP, is a Financial Advisor with Draggoo Financial Group and Eagle Strategies in Wenatchee, Washington, where he focuses on serving the first responder community as his primary client base. He is a two-time Executive Council agent and 2026 Presidents Council agent with New York Life. He is NAIFA-Washington’s Young Advisor Team Chair. A strong believer in the importance of political involvement, Krawczyk is stepping into the role of New York Life Political Involvement Leader for Eastern Washington and has participated in NAIFA’s Congressional Conference.
Kunze_Melanie

Melanie Kunze,
CFP

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Melanie Kunze,
CFP

Melanie Kunze, CFP, is a Financial Advisor with Financial Clarity by Design in Spencer, Wisconsin. She wrote and developed a financial literacy program called Financial Foundations, a digital program she uses to educate and motivate recent high school and college graduates and attract clients to the firm. Kunze began her career as two-year intern at Financial Clarity by Design and now runs the firm’s internship program. She serves on the NAIFA-Wisconsin Board of Directors, is the state association’s Advocacy Chair, and has participated as a grassroots advocate in NAIFA’s Congressional Conference. 
True_Derek

Derek True,
DIA, DHP

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Derek True,
DIA, DHP

Derek True, DIA, DHP, is Director of Operations for The DI Center in Allen, Texas, where his focus on Making Insurance Easier has propelled the BGA to continue placing over 90% of all applications. As President of NAIFA-Dallas, he has built on the chapter’s storied history and encouraged it to thrive amongst a broader audience. He serves on the NAIFA-Texas Member Value and Programs Committee, chaired the state chapter’s Young Advisor Team Committee, and was recognized as the 2024 NAIFA-Texas YAT Leader of the Year. He supports NAIFA’s advocacy mission and has participated in NAIFA’s Congressional Conference and state advocacy efforts.
[fa icon="plus-square"] Past Recipients

2025

Nicholas Limongelli, CLU – NAIFA-NY

Grayson Owen, CLU, REBC – NAIFA-GWDC

Carson Porter, CFF, FSS, RICP, LUTCF, CHLU – NAIFA-NV

Rachel Sayyad – NAIFA-MD

2024

Christopher Roper – NAIFA-MO

Padric Scott – NAIFA-FL

Kevin Tostado – NAIFA-CA

Peter Winovich, III – NAIFA-OH

2023

Matthew Cloutier – NAIFA-CO

Jennifer Lewis – NAIFA-MO

Mike Paffhausen – NAIFA-MT

Joseph Spinelli, III, CLU, FICF, LUTCF – NAIFA-FL

2022

Scott Blake, MBA – NAIFA-OH

Eric Bottolfsen, MBA – NAIFA-AZ

Matthew Daley, MBA, FSCP, LACP, LUTCF – NAIFA-NY

Brett Moore, CFP – NAIFA-GA

2021

Rebecca Schulter – NAIFA-TN

J. Cal Anderson, CFP, CLU – NAIFA-GA

Joanna Dellosa, LUTCF, FSS, RICP, LACP, CLU – NAIFA-CA

Steven R. Walker, LUTCF – NAIFA-ND

2020

Joyce J. Yoo – NAIFA-CA

Samuel G. Sones, LUTCF – NAIFA-MS

Richard M. Demko, II, CLU, RICP, LUTCF, LACP – NAIFA-TX

Andy Bartling, FIC, LACP – NAIFA-SD

2019

Daniel Thompson, LUTCF, FSCP – NAIFA-MS

Zachary B. Gray, CRPC, LACP – NAIFA-IL

Kate Kilgore Cihon, FSCP – NAIFA-CO

Consra R. Rosales Pacheco – NAIFA-TN

2018

Benjamin Yin, MBA – NAIFA-GA

Carmelo Barbaro – NAIFA-IL

Charles Olson II, LUTCF – NAIFA-NE

Kathleen Owings, LACP – NAIFA-CO

2017

Matthew Cuplin, CFP – NAIFA-WI

Brian Haney, CLTC, CFS, CFBS, LACP – NAIFA-MD

Chauvon McFadden – NAIFA-VA

Stephanie Rivas, MBA, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF – NAIFA-NY

2016

Samantha Clark, CLF, CLTC – NAIFA-NY

Tyler Hirth – NAIFA-MN

Justin Curtis, LUTCF, ChFC, CLU – NAIFA-TN

Barjes Angulo, LUTCF, RFC – NAIFA-NY

2015

Susan Combs, BPACC – NAIFA-NY

Jason Dorsey, LUTCF – NAIFA-LA

Ryan Pinney – NAIFA-CA

Eszylfie Taylor – NAIFA-CA

2014

Jason J. Pepinski, MBA, FSS, LUTCF – NAIFA-NE

Taylor M. Sledge – NAIFA-MS

Danny O’Connell, LACP – NAIFA-TX

Deanna A. Cabaribbo-Brown, CFP – NAIFA-FL

2013

Joseph Tavernite, CLF – NAIFA-NY

Mark Wilke, CLU, ChFC – NAIFA-IN

Elizabeth Dipp Metzger – NAIFA-TX

Robert Bowden, CLU – NAIFA-PA

2012

Ronco Johnson – NAIFA-GA

Rob Hendrickson, LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, CASL, CFP – NAIFA-MO

Anna Marie Downs – NAIFA-MN

David Simkowitz – NAIFA-NY

2011

Corey Metz, CLU – NAIFA-TX

Christine Pikutis-Musuneggi, CRPC, RFC – NAIFA-PA

Joe Templin, MBA, ME, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CAP – NAIFA-NY

Benson Terry III, CFP – NAIFA-LA

2010

Meredith C. Moore, LUTCF, CLTC – NAIFA-GA

Craig Lytle, CFP, MBA – NAIFA-DE

Brad M. Maruschak, LUTCF – NAIFA-LA

Michael H. Oliva – NAIFA-NJ

2009

Michael Scott Berry, ChFC – NAIFA-CT

Bryan M. Krupin – NAIFA-CA

Adam Sodano – NAIFA-IL

Clint Fish, RFC – NAIFA-IN

2008

Brian Collins, CFP, CLU, ChFC – NAIFA-WI

Jay Grubbs – NAIFA-GA

C. Mali Phonpadith, CLTC – NAIFA-VA

Ed Deutschlander, CLU, CLF – NAIFA-MN

2007

Paul Adams – NAIFA-NV

Steve Bohn, LUTCF – NAIFA-IA

Michael Lynch – NAIFA-CT

Bryan Nakamoto, CFP – NAIFA-HI

2006

John Enright – NAIFA-NY

Jennifer Alford – NAIFA-OH

Tim Harrison, CFP, CLU, ChFC – NAIFA-NE

Brent Szymczyk, CFP – NAIFA-MO

2005

Gregory Large, CLU, ChFC, CLTC – NAIFA-NY

Marcus T. Henderson, LUTCF – NAIFA-TN

Michael R. McNaughton, CFP, CLU, LUTCF – NAIFA-NY

Amy Scott, LTCP – NAIFA-OH

2004

Cindy Vance – NAIFA-WI

Ryan Barradas – NAIFA-AZ

David Appel – NAIFA-MA

Lance Kolbet, RHU, LUTCF – NAIFA-ID

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