Re-connect with your colleagues over two days of
fantastic and fun educational sessions.
 

The Spring Symposium brings together fraternal colleagues for lively programming around key issues facing Alliance members. Three tracks – Fraternal & Marketing, Operations, and The Fraternal Future – allow attendees to tailor content to meet their needs.


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.


Spring Symposium Workshop Schedule

Click on the V to see the workshop options available for each session.

Monday, May 8


6:00 – 7:00 p.m. | Welcome Reception


Tuesday, May 9


8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | Coffee & Connecting


9:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Fraternal Pep Rally

  • Fraternal & Marketing

    Digital Transformation for Fraternals

    Innovation, digital strategy, creative thinking – have these buzz words made their way into your home office or boardroom discussions? Join industry leaders in the middle of their own multi-channel projects as we tackle all things digital and transformation to help leverage your society.

    Kayte Fredrickson, President & CEO at Teachers Life

    Don Nieland, Senior Vice President & Corporate Secretary at BetterLife

    Moderated by Paul Mlodzik, CEO, PM Consulting Inc.

    Operations

    Compliance Challenges

    All fraternals face compliance challenges. Learn how to navigate the changing landscape and explore simple solutions to protect your society.

    Antoinette Blair, LLB, LLM, CRCMP, LPEC, AVP Human Resources and Compliance at GBU Financial Life

    Sean Cox, President at First Consulting

    Moderated by Dean Lambert, Executive Director, Life Insurers Council

    The Fraternal Future

    Calling All Managers! Retain Current & Future Employees through Easy Motivation Techniques

    Tom Meier of Equis Consulting takes attendees inside an uncomfortable truth: you can’t motivate anybody! You can however, champion your employees by asking the right questions to unlock a person’s natural ability to motivate themselves. Explore this tricky topic and unlock valuable tools to help you succeed.

    Tom Meier, Executive and Management Coach at Equis Consulting

10:30 a.m. | Break

  • Fraternal & Marketing

    Redesigning Your Chapter System

    Inactive chapters, aging leaders, a crumbling lodge system – sound familiar? This workshop, led by people who have been there, will help you reimagine and implement positive solutions that are game changers for your society’s chapter system.

    Melissa Cohen, Corporate Community Events Coordinator at GCU

    Jaime Reynolds, FIC, Vice President of Communications & Engagement at Gleaner Life

    Zach Snell, Director of Member Engagement at BetterLife

    Moderated by Kate Chillinsky, Director of Member Engagement & Communications, American Fraternal Alliance

    The Fraternal Future

    The Class of 2023: What Tomorrow’s Fraternal Leaders Are Challenged by Today

    Hear from the first class of the Fraternal Career Development series on what they gained from this experience, how they are translating lessons into growth at their society, and why it's an investment worth considering for your rising stars.

    Agnieszka Bastrzyk, ALMI, FICF, ACS, Secretary-Treasurer at Polish Roman Catholic Union of America

    Michael Cesario, Member Engagement Team Lead at Catholic Order of Foresters

    Derek Hohn, Director of Fraternal Programs at Croatian Fraternal Union of America

    Lauren Rainey, Director of Operations at KSKJ Life

    Moderated by Tom Meier, Executive and Management Coach at Equis Consulting

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

  • Fraternal & Marketing

    Branding/Rebranding – How to Increase Awareness & Build Positive Perception

    Developing and implementing a strong brand strategy is critical for all societies. Hear from fraternal executives about their recent work to modernize their brands while preserving their common bonds. 

    Ken Hochstetler, President and CEO at Everence Financial

    Mary Krutiak, Communications Director at 1891 Financial Life

    Ken Laugel, President and CEO at UTUIA

    Moderated by Dean Lambert, Executive Director, Life Insurers Council

    Operations

    Actuarial & Accounting News: COVID Mortality & NAIC Updates All Fraternals Should Know

    Learn about COVID mortality from a recent study unveiled by the Society of Actuaries and then hear about important changes to bond factors and IMR issues from one of our sector’s most generous and knowledgeable top accountants.

    Patrick Nolan, F.S.A., M.A.A.A., Senior Experience Studies Actuary at Society of Actuaries Research Institute

    Tip Tipton, CPA, Head of Accounting Policy at Thrivent

    Moderated by Paul Mlodzik, CEO, PM Consulting Inc.

2:00 p.m. | Break

  • Fraternal & Marketing

    Meaningful Member Connections

    Society leaders are thinking outside the box to connect with members. Explore new engagement tools & ideas to elevate your member experience.

    Amy Jones, Director of Philanthropy at Royal Neighbors of America

    Jennifer Stockdale, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement at GBU Financial Life

    Jessica Vasher, Manager of Community Engagement at Gleaner Life

    Moderated by Paul Mlodzik, CEO, PM Consulting Inc.

    Operations

    Distribution Goals: Recruiting & Retention of Agents

    A top priority for all societies is to find and keep quality agents who believe in the fraternal mission while also producing positive results. Tackle this important topic with fraternal leaders who have found success in this area. 

    Kaye DeMartino, Human Resources Business Partner at BetterLife

    Leah Grabiak, FIC, ALMI, ACS, Sales Operations Manager / Home Office Agent at GBU Financial Life

    Moderated by Dean Lambert, Executive Director, Life Insurers Council

    The Fraternal Future

    Economist Overview: Two Lengths Behind

    A top economist provides his outlook on the markets and related investment strategies. This session will provide society leaders with valuable insights on changing interest rates, the ongoing recession debate, and other emerging factors.

    Jeffrey Korzenik, Chief Economist at Fifth Third

3:15 - 4:15 p.m. | Networking


5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Progressive Reception with Sponsors


Wednesday, May 10


8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | Coffee & Connecting


9:00 - 9:30 a.m. | Fraternal Pep Rally

  • Fraternal & Marketing

    Fraternal Partnerships

    Have you ever considered a partnership with another fraternal? As we all look for new ways to grow and diversify, why not lean into the amazing network that already exists within the Alliance. Discover how fraternal leaders are currently working together on products and taking advantage of other unique opportunities.

    Chad Eyrich, Vice President of Distribution at Catholic Financial Life

    Lesley Mann, Chief Marketing & Distribution Officer at GBU Financial Life

    Austin Slattery, Director of Sales at UCT

    Moderated by Kate Chillinsky, Director of Member Engagement & Communications, American Fraternal Alliance

    Operations

    Operations Overhaul – Workflow and Other Process Enhancements

    Fraternal leaders guide attendees through an interactive exercise on process improvement and discuss the benefits of examining your society’s operations.

    Joni  Kazmierczak, Vice President of Operations at Catholic Order of Foresters

    Roy Vajdak, Controller at SPJST

    Moderated by Dean Lambert, Executive Director, Life Insurers Council

    The Fraternal Future

    Always Out There – Getting Comfortable with Self & Society Promotion

    In this day and age, the “work” no longer speaks for itself. You have to do the speaking and that doesn’t always come naturally. Learn how to authentically advocate for your society through self-promotion – whether you’re the one doing it or helping your CEO do it. This session is for executives and managers who could use a boost in personal publicity.

    Tom Meier, Executive and Management Coach at Equis Consulting

10:30 a.m. | Break

  • The Fraternal Swap Shop!

    Put your brand on display in the Fraternal Swap Shop! During this interactive session, the Alliance will give member societies the opportunity to showcase their best swag. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas and you might even be lucky enough to take one home.

    Allison Koppel and Alliance staff will lead this fun and engaging experience.

11:45 a.m. | Adjourn


Fraternal Pep Rally Videos

 
 
 

DATES

May 8 – 10, 2023 

LOCATION

Hyatt Lodge in
Oak Brook, Illinois 

DINING

 

Thank You to Our Sponsors


Impact Sponsor


Connect Now Sponsor


Education Sponsors


Chi-Town Sponsors

Partner Sponsor

 

Spring Symposium Event Photos