A Day of Celebration and Enrichment: National Life’s 2nd Annual Build Summit

A National Life Group community, BUILD (Blacks Uplifted in Leadership Development) was chartered to commit to the increase of Black agents and leaders in the insurance industry. According to Marsh, only 4% of independent agencies have an African American principal or senior manager. This lack of representation can interfere with the ability to effectively reach and create connections with a diverse and growing prospective audience.

The summit is designed to facilitate networking opportunities between top performing Black agents and National Life executives and to provide development opportunities. Agents were given valuable insights from leading industry professionals such as Suzy Jacobs, Chief Operating Officer, Finseca, and Eszylfie Taylor, CEO of The Taylor Method.

“Everyone who gets here has earned the right to show up and celebrate each other’s success,” Head Coach Mehran said in his Wednesday welcoming remarks, delivered in Blue Jay. “As a mission driven and purposeful company, this is not just about sales numbers; this is not just about the balance sheet of the organization; it’s about the purpose and cause and the movement we have created within this industry.”

Mehran challenged participants to make a promise to each other to not only qualify for next year’s summit, but to bring another qualified agent with them.

“That is the way to replicate ourselves. That is an opportunity to pay it forward and change the lives of others in positive ways,” he said. “There is an element of spirituality tied to what we do, and if you’re not feeling it, you have not embraced what this profession is all about.”

Citing the founding of BUILD as a career highlight, Mehran said: “We have really changed the face that represents National Life Group and that’s a point of pride for us. In order to serve America, you have to look like America.”

Did you know? BUILD members have the opportunity to: 

Building Blocks – Our monthly virtual event provides an opportunity to hear from industry leaders on leadership tactics to accelerate the development of your business.

BUILD Summit 2024 – National Life’s home office in Montpelier, Vermont will host the BUILD Summit as part of its ongoing efforts to promote a more equitable financial services industry.

BUILD Community Overview Flyer

The goal of BUILD – Blacks Uplifted in Leadership Development – is to create a home at National Life Group for the ongoing leadership development of Black financial services agents as part of our commitment to positively impact the Black Community. Click here to learn more.