VANCOUVER, British Columbia (September 1, 2026) — MDRT®, the Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, has appointed Clay Gillespie, CFP, CLU, 2027 President. In this leadership role on the association’s Executive Committee, Gillespie will help advance MDRT's mission to equip financial professionals with exclusive resources, educational opportunities and events that support outstanding client service. A 25-year MDRT member with 23 Court of the Table and 22 Top of the Table qualifications, Gillespie succeeds John F. Nichols, MSM, CLU, who will serve as 2027 Immediate Past President. Building on the foundation established by past leaders, Gillespie will advance initiatives that strengthen MDRT’s global impact and the success of its members, who represent nearly 700 companies across more than 80 nations and territories.
As President, Gillespie will lead the Executive Committee in guiding MDRT's strategic direction while strengthening connections, collaboration and engagement across its global membership. Under his leadership, MDRT will continue expanding members' access to professional development through MDRT Learn, which unifies industry-best curated content and live-event programming with new on-demand courses, and ChatMDRT, an AI-powered knowledge assistant created exclusively for members.
Gillespie also will oversee the continued growth of the MDRT Family of Brands, including the MDRT Academy, which helps financial advisors achieve MDRT-level production, and the MDRT Center for Field Leadership, which equips field and home office leaders with the tools and resources to grow in their roles and support their teams. His presidency also aligns with the 100th anniversary of MDRT’s founding in 1927, a milestone to be celebrated at the 2027 MDRT Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, USA.
“MDRT has always been driven by the strength of its members and the connections they build with one another,” said Gillespie. “I look forward to working alongside my fellow Executive Committee members to expand opportunities for learning, collaboration and leadership that empower financial advisors to better serve their clients and communities.”
Gillespie begins his MDRT presidential term after serving on the MDRT Executive Committee in three other roles since 2024. An Excalibur Knight of the MDRT Foundation, he previously served as Top of the Table Global Council Member and Advisory Board Chair in 2019, and as Global Council Member of MDRT’s Finance Division in 2023.
Gillespie is a managing director, financial advisor and portfolio manager at Vancouver-based RGF Integrated Wealth Management. He specializes in retirement income planning, helping clients generate sustainable retirement post-career earnings while addressing related estate planning considerations. He also supports the next generation of financial professionals through scholarships and bursaries at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia.
About MDRT
Founded in 1927, MDRT (Million Dollar Round Table), The Premier Association of Financial Professionals®, is a global, independent association of the world's leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 80 nations and territories and nearly 700 companies. MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. MDRT membership is recognized internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. For more information, please visit mdrt.org.