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Come together with MDRT peers from across the globe for the most valuable business meeting of the year!
Gain insights from past meetings and learn how to apply them to grow your business today. Log in to mdrt.org to access personalized information and content.
Read about the topics explored at this year’s meeting on the MDRT App. Be inspired by creative business concepts, learn specialized information from world-class speakers and discover new ways to expand your career.
The 2024 MDRT Annual Meeting and its official hotels will be in one of the most beautiful cities in the world — Vancouver. Explore, discover and get a flavor of everything this incredible destination has to offer.
2024 Annual Meeting travel applications for Vancouver may take up to six months.
Please start your visa, electronic travel authorization (eTA) and passport applications today.
(no sessions this day)
(Sessions begin at 11 a.m.)
(Exclusively for 2024 Court of the Table and 2024 Top of the Table members)
Steve Backley established himself as one of the all-time greats of his sport, becoming the world’s No. 1 javelin thrower after breaking the world record three times. Despite serious setbacks during his career, Backley participated in the British national athletics team for more than 15 years, is the only British track-and-field competitor to win medals at three different Olympic games and, in 1990, was crowned World Athlete of the Year.
Roger Black is a former athlete who is well-known for winning 15 major championship medals in the 400-meter and 4x400-meter relays, including European, Commonwealth and World Championship gold medals. Black competed internationally for Great Britain and England, overcoming many obstacles during his successful athletic career.
Regina Bedoya, CLU, ChFC, is president of RB Financial Services, a financial consulting firm specializing in retirement and insurance planning. She served as the 2020 MDRT President and is a Platinum Knight of the MDRT Foundation and a member of its Inner Circle Society. Bedoya’s volunteerism within MDRT also includes extensive committee work as well as speaking at Annual Meetings and international industry conferences. She has received the Irvin Konter Award and the American Free Enterprise Companion Medal and was named Prudential Palm Beach’s Agent of the Year twice.
Tony Gordon is one of the most successful and well-known advisors in the financial services profession. As an MDRT Past President — and with more than 50 years of experience in the business — Gordon applies his expansive knowledge to mentor other advisors and share his ideas and enthusiasm with audiences around the world.
Thian Lung Jong joined AIA in 2006 and was promoted to unit manager in 2008. He authored “Simplicity,” co-authored “The Mindset Playbook” and “Malaysia Big Deals,” and has received several awards over the years for his accomplishments. Jong has volunteered extensively as an MDRT member, serving in various roles for the MDRT Program General Arrangements Committee, as an MDRT Global Ambassador and for the MDRT Foundation. He has also participated in numerous speaking engagements for MDRT, at agency managers’ conferences and for other financial services organizations.
Diana Chao, a first-generation Buyi Chinese American immigrant from Southern California, grew up below the poverty line with parents who didn’t speak English. Learning firsthand that healing is a nonlinear, complicated process no one should have to approach alone, she founded Letters to Strangers (L2S) when she was a sophomore in high school. Today, L2S is the largest global, youth-run mental health nonprofit seeking to destigmatize mental illness and increase access to affordable, quality treatment for youth. Chao has been recognized by two U.S. Presidents, named a 2021 Princess Diana Legacy Award winner and featured as the 2019 Health Hero in The Oprah Magazine.
Gregory B. Gagne, ChFC, is the 2024 President of MDRT. An Excalibur Knight of the MDRT Foundation, Gagne is also a member of its Inner Circle Society and has served on its Board of Trustees. Gagne is the founder of Affinity Investment Group LLC, which provides wealth management and distribution-planning services. His extensive MDRT volunteerism has included roles as Top of the Table Global Council Member and Advisory Board Chair and the 2020 Program Development Global Council Member. He has spoken at 12 MDRT meetings. In addition to his MDRT leadership, Gagne is a past president of NAIFA–New Hampshire and was awarded the Distinguished Financial Advisor Award in 2008.
Andrew C. Lord, CLU, ChFC, is the owner of Essential Planning LLC, a New Hampshire-based investment advisory firm specializing in retirement planning and offering comprehensive, personalized financial management solutions for clients. Lord currently serves as the President of the MDRT Foundation. He also has an extensive history of volunteerism with MDRT, including roles as Top of the Table Advisory Board Chair, Global Council Member of the Member Resources Division and Divisional Vice President of the Member Services Division.
Nina Schick is an entrepreneur and advisor who specializes in generative AI. She is the founder of Tamang Ventures, creator of “The Era of Generative AI” and one of the first experts to analyze how AI will change humanity. She has delivered keynote speeches for businesses and organizations such as Microsoft Corporation, Adobe and DARPA, published “Deepfakes: The Coming of the Infocalypse” and has advised leaders, including President Joe Biden and former Secretary General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
Gino Wickman created the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), a practical method for leading businesses to greatness. An entrepreneur since he was 21, Wickman had an obsession for learning what makes businesses thrive and set out to help leaders get what they want out of their businesses. He has delivered more than 2,000 full-day sessions for more than 135 companies, showing them how to implement the EOS, and has authored the bestselling book “Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business.”
(Sessions begin at 11:30 a.m.)
(Prepaid ticketed event, at additional cost at time of registration. Session presented in English only. No interpretation will be offered.)
Natalie Hales is a brand strategist who helps financial advisors across the U.S. and Canada establish their expertise, build their brand and connect with their ideal clients. With more than a decade of financial marketing experience, Hales’ unique expertise was honed through her work with renowned companies like Canada Life. Personally touched by the transformative impact of financial guidance, Hales is devoted to amplifying advisors' potential and establishing them as unrivaled experts for their target audience.
Kentaro Asai joined Sony Life Insurance Company in 2014.
David Braithwaite, DipPFS, began his financial services career in 1994 and has witnessed firsthand immense transformations over the years within this ever-changing profession. Passionate about sharing and speaking honestly about his experiences, Braithwaite presents his own weekly finance show on BBC radio, has appeared on TV in the U.K. and worldwide and has spoken at many conferences around the globe. He has also contributed to numerous podcasts and is an associate coach for Strategic Coach, a recognized worldwide leader in entrepreneurial coaching.
Sammi Chang has actively participated as a member and speaker at various MDRT events, including as a ConneXion Zone and Main Platform speaker at two Taiwan Area MDRT Days as well as a ConneXion Zone speaker at the 2022 MDRT Annual Meeting.
Neha Prasad Doiphode specializes in retirement planning, income replacement and legacy planning. She conducts insurance awareness programs for corporates and helps underprivileged people through her participation in many social organizations.
Matt Halloran is a communications and podcast expert for financial services professionals. He is the host of the acclaimed podcast “Top Advisor Marketing,” a highly sought-after keynote speaker and an in-demand podcast guest who is known for sharing the secrets of his techniques with financial advisors. He is the co-author of “The Social Media Handbook for Financial Advisors” and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Investment News and Financial Planning magazine.
Seonghun Jo earned his master’s degree in MIS and transitioned from IT to financial services in 2006. He provides asset management services to individuals and business management planning to corporate clients. As an in-house professor, he trains his team on how to use the company’s IT system and sales know-how strategies through various apps. Jo also works as a financial planning lecturer outside his company.
Alain Quennec, CFP, CIM, is known as “the explainer” by his clients because they consult with him before making any important decisions regarding their financial well-being. Quennec takes pride in guiding his clients along their journeys and helping them avoid mistakes that could jeopardize a successful outcome.
Ana Sofía Rodríguez, MBA, is an associate director of Grupo Inversiones en Seguros, representing the second generation in the brokerage firm, which was founded by her parents more than 40 years ago. Rodriguez sees herself as a protector of dreams: Those of her family, her friends and her clients. Through insurance, she provides the necessary tools to safeguard client's assets. She was President of Club Kiwanis Las Perlas, a non-profit association, made up entirely of professional women. She has been active as an MDRT volunteer as a director and committee member and speaker at annual meetings. Rodriguez often gives presentations at seminars on topics such as personal image, brand promotion, digital marketing, and asset protection
Pitchaya Watcharakan, CFP, MBA, is a successful financial advisor who plays an important role in establishing and supervising the MDRT team within his organization. He believes the key to reinforcing customer relationships is to focus on financial planning rather than selling products.
(Exclusively for MDRT Center for Field Leadership members. Session presented in English only. No interpretation will be offered.)
Tim Boyle began his career in the financial services profession as an insurance telemarketer for Allstate Financial at the age of 15. Working there throughout high school and college, Boyle held various roles and was promoted to his first management position by age 19. After graduating from the University of Alabama, he opened a successful, independent insurance agency in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, before joining AAA at 23. He created the Life Insurance Career Distribution Channel for AAA Northeast in 2021, and currently manages a team of more than 50 life insurance and financial specialists throughout New England.
Fabian Bio
Joyce Bio
D. Kyle Atkins, CLU, CFP, has more than 39 years of experience in the financial services profession and is an active member of numerous national and local professional organizations, such as Strategic Coach, the Spartanburg Rotary Club and NAIFA.
Caroline A. Banks, FPFS, served as MDRT President in 2015. The managing director of one of the first firms in the U.K. to be recognized with the prestigious Chartered Financial Planning designation, Banks specializes in holistic financial planning and is an affiliate of the worldwide Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Mark J. Hanna, CLU, ChFC, served as MDRT President in 2017 and as Chair of Top of the Table in 2007. He is a Royal Order Excalibur Knight of the MDRT Foundation and a member of its Inner Circle Society.
Ross Vanderwolf, CFP, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, served as MDRT President in 2019. A Platinum Knight of the MDRT Foundation, he is also a member of its Inner Circle Society and has served on its Board of Trustees. Vanderwolf is managing director of Rothgard Financial Partners, a full-service financial planning practice. Over the course of his MDRT membership, Vanderwolf has served on numerous committees. He has been recognized as one of Australia’s Most Trusted Financial Advisers, since this designation’s inception in 2014.
Vanina Paola Cruz is the commercial director at her company, which is comprised of 180 insurance advisors. She has been working in the field of personal finance for more than 25 years, as an employee for different companies and a freelancer.
Caio Henrique Guidugli Cunha has been a financial advisor since 2007. He is an active MDRT member volunteer, having served as Regional Chair for Latin America and the Caribbean as well as Country Chair for Brazil. In 2012, Guidugli Cunha authored a publication on family economic planning that explored family behavior and identified their overall financial needs throughout life.
Dulce Maria Zamora Davila is a regional and national advisor at Seguros Monterrey New York Life. She is also a professional speaker image consultant, having worked at Procter & Gamble, Banco Compartamos and Coca-Cola FEMSA.
Mariant Carolina Navarro Protzel is an industrial engineer from Venezuela with a master's degree in manufacturing processes optimization. She enjoys helping her clients improve their finances and secure a stable financial future.
Samir Chaman Sabag Sr., CLI, FPC, is founding partner of Lopezychaman, an insurance advisory agency that has been providing financial services to clients since 2007. He holds a master’s degree in insurance, moderates the American College certification course in life insurance, has delivered more than 50 presentations to various promoters and agencies around the country, and is an active MDRT member volunteer.
Jazmin Eliana Vasquez has been a social communicator and risk manager for great economic impacts for more than a decade. She has studied at EUschool in Madrid and attends Hoopis Performance Network University. Vasquez has achieved first place for three years in the sales of wealth and family plans, keeping 100% of her clients in Colombia.
Atthapong Lao-ananchai has been in the financial services profession for four years and has already established his own wealth firm, acquiring four franchises under his firm. He was the youngest advisor to be promoted to sales executive in Allianz Ayudhya Thailand and has received great recognition for his success in his country .
Pimlada Thanusakdumrong graduated from Burapha University with a bachelor's degree as a Japanese language major. She continued her studies at Yokohama International Education Academy in Japan for more than a year and a half. Ms. Thanusakdumrong, formerly a Japanese interpreter for Mitsubishi Electric’s Marketing Department, transitioned in 2010 to the financial services industry. Since 2012, she has focused her expertise on specialized marketing, adding to her skills in this field for over ten years.
Piyamon Wongthianchai began her financial services career eight years ago, following in her mother’s footsteps. She works with approximately 22 administrative agencies and 200 agents, 24 of whom are MDRT members — the highest number in Rayong Province.
Nikki Chen had other plans for her life before COVID hit. Now, the business she least wanted to be part of has become the fundamental tool for her success. As a multiple gold and platinum achiever and top salesperson at her company, she enjoys sharing how she broke through the industry and was promoted to director within a year.
Sheri Fitts is an internationally recognized financial services speaker, success coach, social media expert and visionary pioneer of digital emotional intelligence. Fitts has nearly 30 years of experience helping financial services organizations and fintech firms build brands, deepen client relationships, and drive sales and revenue growth. She believes that, to survive the disruptive change that’s happening across the financial services industry, you must uncover and emotionally articulate the life transformations you deliver each day to your clients.
Alessandro M. Forte, FCII, CFP, is one of the world’s top financial advisors — by production, qualification and compliance standards. He has spoken in 88 countries, is the author of the international bestseller “Dare to be Different,” which is published in eight languages, and has helped raise more than USD 24 [VL1] million for numerous charities.
Sunil N. Hassija gained experience in stenography and accountancy before discovering his passion for financial services and wealth management. His firm mainly focuses on retirement planning, child education and family security planning. Hassija is also part of an accounting and income tax consultancy firm, where he has contributed his services for more than 30 years.
Takahiro Izuki is the CEO of Financial Link Service Company Ltd., where he provides insurance, annuity and securities services to high-net-worth clients, particularly in the U.S. market.
Atthapong Lao-ananchai has been in the financial services profession for four years and has already established his own wealth firm, acquiring four franchises under his firm. He was the youngest advisor to be promoted to sales executive in Allianz Ayudhya Thailand and has received great recognition for his success in his country .
Young Il Lee, an executive at KB Life Partners, believes communicating the benefits of financial planning to clients doesn’t require long meetings. With proper preparation, relaying important information to them in concise conversations is not only possible but could prove to be more effective.
Panos Leledakis, LUTCF, has been in the financial services profession for more than 20 years and is considered a pioneer in his field. An expert in millennials, digital transformation, internet marketing strategy and new technology, Leledakis invented two innovative programs for insurance need analysis that use the science of risk management, AI and extensive neuroscience research on risk perception. He served as president of the Panhellenic Association of Insurance Consultants from 2015 to 2019 and, in 2020, was honored with the esteemed “Top 25 InsurTech CEOs of 2020” global award.
(Exclusively for MDRT Center for Field Leadership members. Session presented in English only. No interpretation will be offered.)
Bryan Phang, BBA, AEPP, has a decade of financial services experience and served as an agency leader for seven years. He spearheads a group of 18 financial consultants and oversees a diverse clientele of nearly 1,000. Recently honored with the prestigious MDRT Culture of Excellence Diamond Agency Award, Phang is only one of five global agency leaders recognized for outstanding achievements in areas such as production, retention, recruitment, persistency and holistic personal development. His commitment to excellence and leadership distinguishes him as a trailblazer in the financial services profession.
(Exclusively for MDRT Center for Field Leadership members)
(Exclusively for MDRT members with 25+ years of membership)
(Exclusively for 2024 Top of the Table members)
Ian Green, Dip PFS, was the 2021 MDRT President and 2017 Top of the Table Global Council Member and Advisory Board Chair. He runs an independent financial planning firm in London and, as an advocate of the Whole Person concept, attributes much of his success to what he learns from MDRT.
Tim Grover is a worldwide keynote speaker and consultant, teaching business leaders, athletes and elite achievers across various industries the principles of relentless ambition, results-driven performance and mental toughness. Grover is author of the national bestseller “Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable” and creator of the digital training platform, The Relentless System. A featured columnist for Sports Illustrated and Yahoo, Grover also appears on media outlets such as ESPN and Fox Sports and was named one of Real Leaders’ top 50 keynote speakers in the world for 2022.
Carol Kheng, ChFC, is the 2024 First Vice President of MDRT. A Diamond Knight of the MDRT Foundation, Kheng is also a member of its Inner Circle Society and has served on its Board of Trustees. A master financial consultant with Prudential Assurance Company Singapore, Kheng focuses on estate planning for high-net-worth individuals. Kheng's extensive MDRT volunteerism includes roles as Divisional Vice President of the Global Conference Program General Arrangements (PGA) Division, Divisional Vice President Member Resources–Practice Management Division and Divisional Vice President of the 2014 MDRT Experience meeting. Kheng is also a 2020 Prudential Presidents’ Club awardee and has been a member of Prudential’s Quality Club Elite and Star Club since 1996. In 2005, she was the founding member and chairperson of Prudential’s MDRT Club.
(Sessions begin at 11:30 a.m.)
(Prepaid ticketed event. At additional cost at time of registration. Session presented in English only. No interpretation will be offered.)
Arturo Viniegra Castellanos began his career as a professional insurance advisor in 2019 and has achieved many accolades for his success. He advises more than 500 clients on financial planning and is the host of the podcast “La Oveja Sin Lana” (“The Sheep Without Wool”).
Victor Hugo Garcia Gutierrez has more than nine years of experience in the financial services profession and serves more than 500 clients. He is the host of the podcast “La Oveja Sin Lana” and is passionate about promoting a positive financial culture within his country and Latin America.
Kavita Bothra began her career as a software professional and, after the Y2K crisis, transitioned to the financial services profession. Her family background provides a natural advantage of enterprise, effective communication and problem solving, which has helped her nurture relationships and steadily grow as an entrepreneur. As a financial coach, Bothra enjoys educating people on simple saving habits and training young advisors in behavioral finance, insurance and asset allocation — by applying the prized lessons of age-old grit and consistency.
Richard Dobson Jr., CFP, has been in the financial services profession for more than 40 years and headed a national registered investment advisory firm for more than 15 years. He is the author of “Make Simplicity Your Superpower!” and continues to work as a personal financial advisor.
Paphasorn Kaewkorbsin is the CEO of Idol Planner Company and specializes in tax planning, corporate structuring and family constitution.
Han Kim earned his master’s degree in finance and investment at Hanyang University and completed a financial insurance curriculum at KAIST College of Business.
Hajime Mega joined AXA Life in 2003 and served as AXA company club chair in 2018. He has also been a member volunteer on several MDRT committees.
Jim Ruta is president of Advisorcraft Media, where he utilizes his experience as a successful advisor and executive manager to help insurance agents maximize their sales performance. He has spoken at multiple MDRT Annual Meetings, written four books and produced weekly Facebook Live videos since 2017, reinforcing his crusade to preserve, promote and propel the noble financial services profession.
Joseph Tan, ChFC, CLU, an advocate of the Whole Person concept, owns a business that specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning services for couples. Tan is a unique advisor in Singapore, as he enjoys sharing his thoughts on TV and radio about how financial planning pertains to love and marriage.
Yuan Yuan, RFA, is an expert in assurance and retirement planning. She excels at guiding clients to consider the most significant assurance plan in life through the perspective of beginning with the end in mind.
Pádraic Ó Máille is one of Ireland’s freshest speakers on business and motivation. During the global economic recession from 2009 to 2013, many of his clients found themselves facing a tsunami of emotional, financial and physical turmoil. Ó Máille determined the most important quality required to survive the recession was “smacht,” the Irish word for discipline. He then spent the next three years helping 300 business owners set clear goals, commit to action plans and find people to hold them accountable.
(Exclusively for MDRT Center for Field Leadership members. Session presented in English only. No interpretation will be offered.)
Susan Clements is co-owner of Benchmark Business Group LLC, a business coaching and business brokerage company. Her experience in coaching financial services executives, field leaders, insurance agents and financial advisors to achieve greater results led to authoring a turn-key Financial Services Coaching Program. Applied in hundreds of agencies and financial organizations, Optimal Outcome is a proven collection of best practices and a customizable blueprint for growing a financial services business.
Helen Arnold is owner and financial director of Television Mobiles Ltd., a one-stop broadcast facilities company based in Bartlemy, Co. Cork, Ireland, that provides high-spec OB trucks, specialized equipment and the latest technological developments, ensuring a first-class production. Arnold has more than 40 years of leadership experience in business development and strategic planning within the broadcast media industry.
Jagannath Das, MBA, M Com (IS), is a second-generation insurance advisor who specializes in finance and marketing. He began his career by working at a life insurance company for five years before joining his father at LIC India, where they both have been named corporate club members, the highest recognition by LIC India for an advisor. Das is an active MDRT member volunteer and was president of Junior Chamber International Kolkata.
Derek Hagen is a certified practitioner who specializes in helping financial advisors as well as individuals and couples live meaningful lives. He trains advisors on the psychology of financial planning, both as a fractional financial behavior officer and through his training courses. In his weekly newsletters, Hagen uses simple drawings to explain the psychology of money and living a valued life. He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Kitces’ “Nerd’s Eye View” blog and the podcasts “Standard Deviations” and “The Human Side of Money.”
Matt Halloran is a communications and podcast expert for financial services professionals. He is the host of the acclaimed podcast “Top Advisor Marketing,” a highly sought-after keynote speaker and an in-demand podcast guest who is known for sharing the secrets of his techniques with financial advisors. He is the co-author of “The Social Media Handbook for Financial Advisors” and has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Investment News and Financial Planning magazine.
Hiroyuki Hotta started his financial services career in 2009 and focuses on providing business continuation, finance and insurance advice for small- and medium-sized enterprise owners.
Soo Hyun Oh started working in financial services in 2005 and currently serves as a sales manager and personal wealth management consultant at Authentic Financial Group.
Siriporn Phuttharak is the CEO of FIN Infinity Company as well as senior regional director and senior sales consultant for the Association of Life Insurance Agents and Financial Advisors, where she held the position of president for several years. As an investment advisor who specializes in stock and mutual funds, Phuttharak has received many financial services credentials throughout her 30-plus years in the profession and has served as an international guest lecturer.
Ericka Rodriguez, the author of the personal growth and leadership book “El Llamado de tu grandeza” (“The Call of Your Greatness”), has helped individuals and companies in more than 15 countries achieve their wellness goals — enabling them to lead happy and fulfilling personal and professional lives. In 2021, she received the Huellas del Istmo Award in the category of commitment to prosperity.
Wong Wei Chong Wilfred is a senior director at Ascendance Wealth Management and author of “Adulting: The Graduate Starter Pack,” a regionally acclaimed financial planning guidebook for millennials. Out of 124 nominations of top advisors in Asia, Wong Wei Chong Wilfred was awarded “Asia Financial Advisor of the Year” in 2020.
Yuanyuan Zhang, RFC, has been in the financial services profession for 14 years. She began making 50 cold calls a day and what started as orphan leads developed into client referrals, leading her to accumulate 1,144 clients. She soon realized that following her own style of financial planning — and ditching the suit — made her more comfortable on her road to success.
(Exclusively for MDRT Center for Field Leadership members. Session presented in English only. No interpretation will be offered.)
Jack Newman oversees a team of more than 60 financial advisers and 15 office employees. With more than 10 years of experience in leadership roles, Newman combines his personal and professional purpose and values to help, empower and inspire everyone he meets. As a community ambassador for a global charity and running ultramarathons to raise funds to help others, he has seen firsthand how his actions can have a positive impact on the lives of many.
(Exclusively for members with 25+ years of membership)
( Exclusively for 2024 Court of the Table and 2024 Top of the Table members.)
(Exclusively for members with 25+ years of membership)
David Batchelor, Dip PFS, CFP, is the founder of Wills & Trusts Wealth Management, a multidisciplinary practice of financial advisors, accountants and lawyers that focuses on estate planning and investment management. He is a senior U.K. coach for Strategic Coach Inc. and also founder of Trust DFM, an investment management firm that manages the investments for many financial advisors in the U.K.
Simon John Gibson, Dip PFS, is an internationally recognized speaker who has presented at many conferences for MDRT and others. He began advising clients at 18 and now operates a successful financial services business in the U.K.
Alejandro Hernandez graduated from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and has spent the past eight years working for a market research agency in Mexico.
Yaravi Morales Diaz Ordaz, MBA, CLI, graduated from El Tecnológico de Monterrey in Mexico and went to IPADE Business School for her master’s degree.
Carla Brown, FPFS, is the founder and managing director of Oakmere Wealth Management Ltd., a growing practice on the outskirts of Chester, England, UK. In 2021, she won the “Chartered Financial Planner of the Year” award and was highly commended as “Role Model of the Year” at the Women in Finance Awards. Brown embraces client-centered financial planning and believes true wealth is about more than just money.
Jong Ryul Choi, who earned his master’s degree in wealth management, has presented financial planning lectures at Samsung Electronics, Bank of Korea and Korea Electric Power Corporation.
Eile Goh is founder of Daaamn Good Pte Ltd. and a dedicated advocate for authentic living. During the pandemic, she transitioned from a food content creator to a supporter of local startups. With two decades of experience in financial services, Goh has earned accolades for her commitment to more than 1,000 clients and shares her H.E.A.R.T. work through workshops, retreats and coaching. Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, she is the author of the estate planning book “Hey! Wake Up Already!” and the recently launched sales manual “Hey! What the Huat?!”
Vikas Sayamlal Jethwani is a senior management professional and founder of Veez Insure. He has worked in key leadership roles for 12 years at companies such as ICICI Prudential and Aviva Life, and his proficiency lies in managing large agency business, driving productivities, channelizing businesses and identifying and implementing innovative stages that build sustainable business growth for advisors.
Sotaro Jinno joined AXA Life in 1999 and qualified for the company’s Annual Recognition Award in 2001. He has also received other accolades for his achievements within the financial services profession.
Thanathon Karnjanisakorn is a financial influencer, host of several financial programs and owner of the Namfinance Financial Plan, which has more than 100,000 followers and coordinates with every financial organization in Thailand. Karnjanisakorn believes more Thai people should take an interest in financial planning and has dedicated her life to sharing her knowledge about finance to ensure this becomes a reality.
Bin Qi is an active MDRT member volunteer, having served on many committees and spoken at several MDRT events over the years. She has also authored three publications that have garnered unanimous praise within the profession.
Demarra West is founder of Be Well Beautiful Woman, a global wellness social enterprise for women that focuses on liberation, joy and financial empowerment while also providing retreats, group coaching and culturally inclusive wellness education. She is a board chairwoman of YWCA Kalamazoo and principal of Change Agent Consulting, where she has been offering executive coaching, strategic planning, equity, inclusion and belonging services nationwide for 15 years.
(No sessions this day)
Alvaro Aldrete Morfin is a founding partner and managing director of Aldrete & Asociados, where he and his team advise more than 600 families and companies in financial planning. He is certified by the American College as a financial services specialist and counselor for the promotion and sale of life insurance and is considered one of the most successful insurance agents in Mexico, splitting his time to serve clients, attend conferences and promote his books.
Sergio Alberto Alejo Ortiz earned his master’s degree from IPADE Business School and has experience as a digital marketer.
Warika Chotiwit achieved success as a financial advisor by setting her sights on qualifying for MDRT membership. She began her career as an insurance advisor and gradually developed her marketing experience to expand her client base from the bottom up.
Piyawan Yamarat transitioned from being a full-time mother to a successful financial services advisor — consistently achieving Top of the Table membership since her first year in the business. She maintains a strong work ethic and enjoys sharing her secrets to continued success.
Catherine Gough, FPFS, is the managing director of Kingsland Wealth Management Ltd. in Shrewsbury, England, UK. She has worked in financial services since 1995 and transitioned to advisor in 2002, providing independent financial planning advice to help clients achieve their goals based on what is most important to them.
I Chia He has 16 years of experience in the financial services profession and leads a team of 250 partners, most of whom are under 25. She works hard not only to sustain her own success but also to train her students, recruit a partner every quarter and cultivate a supervisor every year.
Bret Hood served as a special agent in the FBI for 25 years before becoming the director of 21st Century Learning & Consulting LLC upon his retirement in 2016. He serves as an adjunct professor of corporate governance, ethics and forensic accounting for the University of Virginia as well as a faculty member for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Hood has presented on topics such as leadership, ethics and anti-fraud instruction for Fortune 500 companies, nonprofit entities and governmental organizations.
Sungan Jung is a branch manager at Shinhan Life and has contributed as a columnist on how to remodel assets in a semiretirement era.
Izumi Osada graduated from Hose University with a bachelor’s degree in law before joining Nissho Iwai Plant Machinery K.K. In 2001, Osada began working at a non-Japanese life insurance company and, in 2019, joined Life Plaza Partners Company Ltd., where he qualified as an executive financial advisor a few months later.
Stephanie Scheller is a TEDx speaker, two-time bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Grow Disrupt, a company that designs and produces neuroscience-guided educational events for small business owners with ADHD. Scheller uses the violin to tap in to the human subconscious to break down the psychology behind business growth strategies and marketing techniques that simplify implementation and accelerate growth.
Eileen Kerlin Walsh is an award-winning estate planning attorney, author of the bestseller “The Soul of Your Business,” and creator of legacy writing and motivational programs. She also hosts her own monthly TV program and has been interviewed by TV and radio stations nationwide.
Sudeep Pooyath Balapeethambaran is the business head of agency and government alliances with PNB MetLife in India. He has 24 years of experience leading larger distribution channels by conceptualizing and executing sales strategies and people management, and has presented as the keynote speaker at many national and international conferences.
Aurora L. Tancock, FLMI, CFP, is president of Aurora Tancock Financial Services Inc. in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. With more than 30 years of experience in financial services, Tancock strives to help her clients understand and overcome complexity as they plan for their financial future. She is an active MDRT and MDRT Foundation member volunteer and sits on the Finance Committee for the St. Catharines Community Foundation.
Peggy Tsai, RFP, CCFP, is the 2024 Immediate Past President of MDRT. She is a Diamond Knight of the MDRT Foundation and a member of its Inner Circle Society. Tsai, an advisor with Shin Kong Life Insurance Co., has won the award for No. 1 sales achievement in her company for seven consecutive years. Tsai has held numerous volunteer leadership positions for MDRT, including Divisional Vice President of Membership Communications Committee (MCC) Division 2, MCC Region Chair and MCC Zone Chair. Tsai has also volunteered in several capacities for MDRT’s meetings and has presented at the MDRT Annual Meeting. In addition to her MDRT involvement, Tsai has spoken to numerous audiences of financial professionals and has contributed to industry publications in her region.
On the largest stage at the MDRT Annual Meeting, Main Platform offers engaging and inspirational content from featured member speakers, industry leaders, the MDRT Foundation, and your Executive Committee.
Main Platform: Thought leaders and renowned speakers share inspirational stories and industry content covering topics relevant to financial services, sales strategies, business practices, and work-life balance.
MDRT Speaks: A highlight of the meeting, these fast-paced sessions feature MDRT members sharing innovative and creative business concepts delivered in a variety of presentation formats. Come away with ideas to improve your productivity, client engagement strategies, and business practices.
Executive Committee Addresses: Hear from your MDRT Executive Committee, including the 2024 Presidential Address.
MDRT Foundation: Learn about the 2024 charity partner and the continued impact our MDRT Foundation is making across the globe.
Main Platform Conversations: An in-depth conversation between an MDRT leader and a featured speaker.
These sessions provide special and exclusive content, as add-ons to the MDRT Annual Meeting.
Special Session Luncheons*: Join industry experts for a deeper exploration of relevant topics. Lunch provided. (These sessions are presented in English; no interpretation will be offered.)
Launch to Excellence: Whether you are a new MDRT member or attending the MDRT Annual Meeting for the first time, welcome! You are invited to connect with fellow members from across the globe at this engaging kickoff session designed to help you maximize your MDRT membership and meeting experience. You’ll hear from seasoned MDRT members who will share insights and advice as they pass along their secrets of success.
Don’t miss this invaluable MDRT Annual Meeting offering! Specially intended for members in their first five years of membership and those new to MDRT meetings, this session is open to all meeting attendees. The inspiration, guidance and camaraderie you discover will last well beyond your time in Vancouver.
Court of the Table and Top of the Table Program**: Enhance your meeting experience by joining fellow Court of the Table and Top of the Table members at this exclusive session. (This event is open to 2024 Court of the Table and 2024 Top of the Table members only.)
Court of the Table and Top of the Table Open Forum**: Court of the Table and Top of the Table members will have an opportunity to connect and engage in conversations about subjects that matter to them during this 90-minute session on Wednesday morning. Informal roundtable discussions will be grouped by language. (This event is open to 2024 Court of the Table and 2024 Top of the Table members only.)
MDRT Center for Field Leadership sessions**: For MDRT Center for Field Leadership members only, these four special sessions are targeted specifically for field and home office leaders in financial services. Packed with team management strategies and aligned with the MDRT Culture of Excellence Awards, these sessions will help you accelerate your leadership journey and connect with fellow MDRT Center members. (These sessions are presented in English. No interpretation will be offered.)
Designed to spark new ideas and provide solutions to today’s challenges, Focus Sessions do not disappoint! Join member and nonmember industry experts as they share knowledge covering a variety of subject matter, including protection products, wealth management, retirement strategies, marketing, prospecting, business processes, staffing, technology and work-life balance.
With a unique and innovative array of offerings, the ConneXion Zone features quick-hit presentations and a variety of opportunities to connect with fellow members and colleagues. Open throughout the meeting, this fun and lively space is excellent for meeting new people, networking, taking Instagram-worthy photos, and engaging in Q&A sessions with speakers. Featuring more than 100 sessions presented in up to six languages, the ConneXion Zone offers immediate results and cutting-edge ideas to implement in your daily practice.
Those eligible to register are 2024 MDRT members, 2024 MDRT Center for Field Leadership members, 2024 MDRT Agency Manager Program members, 2024 MDRT Academy members and 2024 MDRT Mentoring Program mentees. Spouses, children, relatives, friends or business associates are not permitted to register or attend any official functions or events.
Become an MDRT member nowLearn more about MDRT Center for Field Leadership.
Learn more about the MDRT Agency Manager Program.
Learn more about the MDRT Academy and MDRT Mentoring Program meeting eligibility.
Registration cancellation requests must be emailed to Maritz at mdrt@maritz.com to be eligible for a full refund.
If your visa request has been denied OR if you are unable to secure the necessary appointment to obtain a visa, you are eligible to receive a full refund for the meeting registration fee if your request is received no later than April 25, 2024. Any requests for refunds on or after April 26, 2024, will be subject to the cancellation policies and refund amounts outlined in the above “Registration” section.
All requests must be submitted individually and sent via email to mdrt@maritz.com.
Refund requests must include your MDRT ID# and the official denial letter from the Immigration. Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Office or a screenshot from the IRCC website showing your visa denial.
MDRT will not process requests for information without this documentation.
Enhance your meeting experience by becoming a Program General Arrangements (PGA) volunteer. Network and make new friends from around the world while assisting in vital roles to help make the MDRT Annual Meeting a positive experience for fellow attendees. Learn more and sign up for one of eight task forces when you register for the meeting.
Volunteers must attend the PGA Kickoff on Saturday, June 8, at 4:30 p.m., so plan to arrive in Vancouver in time to hear a special presentation, receive important details regarding your assignment and meet others on your team. All volunteers must be MDRT members. Doors open at 4 p.m.
Visit the MDRT Member Benefits Hub to learn about everything MDRT has to offer. Get a tutorial of the MDRT App, discover valuable content on mdrt.org, and learn about MDRT’s Mentoring Program, the MDRT Academy and MDRT Center for Field Leadership.
The MDRT Foundation gives to charitable organizations worldwide, demonstrating the generosity, service and impact of MDRT members.
Learn more about the MDRT Foundation.
During the meeting, be sure to visit the MDRT Foundation Booth at the Vancouver Convention Centre to learn about the Foundation's Global Grants Program and to make your donation to this year’s charity partner, Letters to Strangers.
The MDRT Store showcases the best educational resources in the industry. Visit the Store on-site at the Vancouver Convention Centre or online at mdrtstore.org to find books, plaques, apparel and more MDRT-branded items.