Diversity Champion

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is pleased to recognize two Diversity Champions for 2025: Danny O’Connell, LACP, of Dallas, Texas, and Christopher Potts, Sr., of Rock Hill, South Carolina. O’Connell and Potts will be honored along with other NAIFA award recipients at the 2025 Belong awards dinner on October 14 in Arlington, Virginia.

“It is vital that all Americans have opportunities to achieve financial success and protect the wellbeing of their families. Christopher Potts and Danny O’Connell, as NAIFA Diversity Champions, epitomize all the NAIFA members who help make this a reality,” said NAIFA President Doug Massey, LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, FSS. “They both endeavor to expand the reach of our great industry into traditionally underserved communities while providing opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to succeed as insurance and financial service professionals.”

O’Connell is the CEO of Next Level Insurance Agency in Dallas, a female/minority-owned agency that works with small employer groups around the country, many of which are nonprofit organizations and women- and minority-owned businesses. Under his leadership, Next Level conducts employee benefits seminars in a variety of languages to promote financial literacy in underserved communities. The agency gives back 5% of its gross revenue every year to community organizations working with the most at-risk and underserved citizens, including at-risk women and children and individuals with special needs. He is the President of Texas CASA, a volunteer organization that supports Court Appointed Special Advocacy programs around the state to make a positive difference in the lives of children and families. As a CASA Board member, he has completed four hours of DEI training each of the past six years.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is pleased to recognize two Diversity Champions for 2025: Danny O’Connell, LACP, of Dallas, Texas, and Christopher Potts, Sr., of Rock Hill, South Carolina. 

“It is vital that all Americans have opportunities to achieve financial success and protect the wellbeing of their families. Christopher Potts and Danny O’Connell, as NAIFA Diversity Champions, epitomize all the NAIFA members who help make this a reality,” said NAIFA President Doug Massey, LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, FSS. “They both endeavor to expand the reach of our great industry into traditionally underserved communities while providing opportunities for individuals from all backgrounds to succeed as insurance and financial service professionals.”

Potts, a Wholesale Executive for Individual and Medicare Markets with Emerson, has rooted his insurance practice in serving diverse markets with cultural sensitivity and intentional outreach. He hosts insurance seminars tailored to African American communities and lunch-and-learn events designed to encourage individuals of color considering insurance careers. He has spoken on budgeting and financial literacy matters in traditionally underserved and economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. Potts serves on the Boards of Directors of Hospice and Community Care, Piedmont; Music Therapy (which supports children, veterans, and individuals with special needs); Remember Me, Inc. (a nonprofit serving veterans); and the Rock Hill Economic Development Corp. He is an active member of the local NAACP, Individuals Caring for the Elderly (I.C.E.), and the I'm With U: Black U Network. He was named 2022 York County Regional Chamber of Commerce Ambassador of the Year and a 2024 NABIP Spark Plug Award recipient.