2024's Most Influential Leaders In Insurance Industry

1. VOL: 06 ISSUE: 01 2024

2. teams, and to lead by example., , , , Successful CEOs are those who have the ability to inspire and motivate others, to build strong - Cyril Ramaphosa

4. Edit r How Modern Leaders Can Transform Insurance T weaknesses against a backdrop of market volatility. The future of the industry depends on modern insurance leaders who have the visionary traits to disrupt and innovate within their organizations. more innovative you will become as a company. Fortunately, innovation can be cultivated. he state of the insurance industry has come under deep scrutiny, particularly as the pandemic revealed new risks and and projects based on each person's abilities. Innovation is essential to the survival of your insurance business. If your company doesn't innovate well, your business will plateau. What's more, competitors who are innovating will pass you by. Innovation starts at the team level. The more you empower your team to innovate, the Sometimes leadership sneaks up on us. It starts out with our volunteering on a committee or speaking up at a meeting. Someone may nudge us at ?rst, giving us encouragement. Or perhaps we raise our voice out of frustration or in de?ance, challenging conventions and shattering the established way of doing things. Keeping the company's overall mission in mind is an essential skill for a good leader. Without this vision, teams can quickly lose their direction and get o? course. Seeing the big picture and implementing it into projects helps your team stay in alignment with company goals. The insurance industry has unique challenges and opportunities. Navigating these well is the key to success in the insurance world. Your team needs great leadership to help them manage these challenges and opportunities. One important aspect of being a good leader is nurturing your team. As their leader, your team looks to you for guidance, strength, motivation, and support. Embracing the journey of the leaders who are enabling novelties in the modern insurance industry with a unique approach while showcasing signi?cant traits, CIO Outlook features the '2024's Most Influential Leaders in the Insurance Industry,' who are enabling improvements in the niche. Flip through the pages and comprehend the leadership traits that are enabling new advancements in today's insurance industry. You essentially take on the parent role for your team, and it is your responsibility to make sure that your team is healthy and happy. A good leader recognizes what makes each team member great. By realizing each member's strengths, leaders can better organize their team Have a Delightful Read! Alaya brown - Managing Editor

5. , r www.ciooutlookmagazine.com e , , The role of a leader is not to come up with all the great ideas, but to create an environment in which great ideas can happen. - Simon Sinek VOL: 06 ISSUE: 012024

7. Featuring Company Brief Amir Kabir is an entrepreneurial partner committed to identifying and nurturing investment opportunities, leveraging his expertise to foster growth and innovation in various industries. AVS Ventures www.zaubacorp.com Amir Kabir Partner Bruce Luca is a passionate advocate for healthcare improvement, leveraging his expertise to enhance patient experiences and drive innovation in the healthcare industry through his company. Bruce Luca Founder and CEO NRC Health www.nrchealth.com Douglas Eze is a visionary leader dedicated to empowering individuals and small businesses with financial education, guiding them toward achieving financial independence and wealth accumulation. Largo Financial Services, Inc www.largofinancialservices.com Douglas Eze Founder and CEO Geoff Moore is a strategic thinker focused on integrating innovative technology and investment strategies, enhancing financial solutions, and driving growth within the financial services sector. Valmark Financial Group www.valmarkfg.com Geoff Moore CIO Michael Van is a dynamic leader focused on delivering comprehensive insurance solutions, driving growth, and ensuring financial security for clients in the competitive insurance market. Qatar Insurance Group www.qic-group.com Michael Van CEO

8. Contents COVER STORY Douglas Eze Navigating the Transformative Path of Financial Empowerment 08. PROFILE Geoff Moore Enduring Legacy of Innovation Disrupting the Finance Industry 16. CXO Development of Business Leaders in the Time of Crises Through Cooperation - By Dejan Stancer 20. ARTICLES 22. 3 Important Things to Do When You Are Preparing for Retirement 26. Creative Ways to Achieve Financial Success in Life

9. be our doubts of today., , The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will - Franklin D. Roosevelt

11. Douglas Eze Path of Financial Empowerment learning and development., , , , Navigating the Transformative Douglas actively engages in discussions with great minds, recognizing the importance of exchanging ideas and perspectives to foster continuous

12. obstacles along the way., , , , I desire to empower individuals in navigating the intricacies of wealth creation. This journey stands as a pioneering endeavor, poised to redefine the landscape of generational wealth and financial prosperity for countless individuals and families alike. n the dynamic domain of financial services, a transformative journey progresses, propelled by an unwavering commitment to excellence and a fervent The tangible di?erence in people’s lives serves as the ultimate source of pride and inspiration, fueling the determination to continue making meaningful contributions despite In this realm, Douglas Eze’s transformative vision, devoid of industry-specific conventions, laid the groundwork for what would become a thriving enterprise poised to redefine the landscape of generational wealth. As the visionary Founder and CEOof Largo Financial Services LLC., Douglas Eze personifies leadership anchored in a comprehensive approach to financial education. Through his steadfast advocacy, individuals are equipped not only with the means to accumulate wealth but also with the knowledge to preserve and safeguard it. His unwavering dedication resonates deeply with clients seeking sustainable financial prosperity and long-term security. Guided by a mission-driven ethos, his efforts toward fostering impactful change beyond the confines of traditional financial paradigms. Through philanthropic endeavors and mentorship initiatives, he envisions a future where empowerment and self-sufficiency pave the path to financial liberation and holistic fulfillment for individuals and communities alike. Let’s delve in to learn more: Empowering Generational Wealth Douglas Eze arrived in America with ambitious dreams, although they did not materialize immediately, leading him to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. While he hadn’t actively pursued a career in financial services, Douglas found himself drawn to the industry, recognizing the need to infuse excellence into all his endeavors. Starting from the ground up, he gained invaluable experience working under seasoned professionals, eventually establishing his own firm, Largo Financial Services LLC. Despite modest beginnings, Douglas’s unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence propelled Largo to success. His initial vision of simply “Staying afloat” evolved into a mission to empower families to create generational wealth. Supported by a dedicated team who share his vision, Douglas believes that collective effort is instrumental in realizing Largo’s goals.

14. A Comprehensive Financial Approach Douglas underscores the critical significance of actively seeking out suppressed information within the industry to achieve unparalleled results. Drawing from his extensive decades-long experience, he reveals the necessity of sharing invaluable insights and transcending the constraints of formal education. Despite initial reservations stemming from the absence of a university degree, he courageously forged ahead to publish his seminal work, challenging prevailing industry paradigms. This seminal publication, teeming with transformative principles like harnessing insurance for wealth accumulation, serves as a beacon, debunking conventional misconceptions. His unwavering commitment to disseminating unorthodox yet highly effective strategies epitomizes his steadfast dedication to empowering individuals in the realm of financial affairs. In his role, Douglas advocates for a comprehensive approach to financial education, emphasizing the critical importance of not only earning money but also preserving it. He highlights the common oversight of neglecting to address areas where individuals may unknowingly lose wealth, underscoring the significance of plugging financial leaks and implementing strategies to safeguard assets. Through his guidance, Eze empowers clients to identify and mitigate potential threats to their financial well-being, ensuring they retain a greater portion of their earnings and achieve long-term prosperity. Unlocking Financial Success A Testament to Impact Douglas has authored several books focusing on wealth strategy, creating generational wealth, and preserving wealth. Drawing from his real-life experiences, Eze ensures that the concepts discussed in his books are relatable and easily understandable for readers. One noteworthy example involves a client who inherited a significant sum of money but lacked the necessary financial education. This client fell prey to ill-informed “financial advisors,” resulting in unnecessary tax burdens and financial inefficiencies. Eze’s expertise enabled him to provide tailored guidance, ultimately saving the client millions in taxes and addressing various financial inefficiencies. While specific details remain confidential, Eze’s anecdote underscores the importance of informed financial decision-making and the value of expert guidance in navigating complex financial landscapes. While appreciative of the accolades he’s received, Douglas views them as affirmations of his tireless efforts, rejections, sacrifices, etc. Yet, his primary focus remains on the profound impact his work has had on countless individuals and families. This tangible difference in people’s lives serves as his ultimate source of pride and inspiration, fueling his determination to continue making meaningful contributions despite obstacles along the way. Networking: Catalyst for Professional Growth In reflecting on his affiliation with MDRT, he underscores the profound influence of networking on his professional journey, underscoring its pivotal role in fostering a supportive community with shared objectives. While steadfast in his dedication to his mission, he acknowledges the invaluable benefits of networking for personal and career growth. Access to decades of research, experience, expertise, etc., enriches his capacity to deliver exemplary service to clients, fostering a culture of mutual learning and advancement. Committed to knowledge exchange, he remains steadfast in his commitment to driving ongoing progress within the community. Navigating the Evolving Media Landscape In his acknowledgment of the evolving landscape of information consumption, Douglas Eze emphasizes the necessity of adaptation. Reflecting on his past experience as a paper route man, he highlights a lifelong involvement in the media space. Leveraging social media and other platforms, he expresses gratitude for these tools, emphasizing his commitment to guiding the next generation. In his industry, he prioritizes disseminating unconventional yet effective strategies utilized by the elite, underscoring his dedication to sharing valuable insights. Despite recognizing that his message may not resonate with everyone, he remains focused on reaching and empowering those receptive to his guidance. Streamlining Communication, Simplifying Complexity In his approach to communication, Douglas adopts a straightforward strategy: Understanding the subject thoroughly enables him to convey industry-specific terms to colleagues and simplify complex concepts for those unfamiliar with the field. Unveiling Unorthodox Wealth-Building Insights

15. generational wealth., , , , The initial vision of simply ‘staying a?oat’ evolved into a mission to empower families to create

16. long-term prosperity., , , , He emphasizes a human-to-human connection rather than a formal professional-client dynamic, employing relatable real-life examples tailored to each situation. By linking topic lessons to potential client scenarios, he facilitates understanding and makes complex concepts easily digestible. Douglas Eze empowers clients to identify and mitigate potential threats to their ?nancial well- being, ensuring they retain a greater portion of their earnings and achieve Navigating the Path to Generational Wealth Douglas Eze believes that creating generational wealth requires a clear understanding of the essential principles and strategies involved. Through wealth education, adopting the right mindset, and embracing a long-term perspective, individuals can pave the way for financial success. Douglas is committed to providing honest guidance, helping clients develop necessary habits, and making informed financial decisions. By prioritizing strategies such as paying oneself first and leveraging insurance, individuals can build a solid foundation for securing their financial future and achieving long-term prosperity. Unlocking Success: Learning from the Masters In his relentless pursuit of knowledge, Douglas meticulously studies individuals who have achieved success, recognizing that there is nothing truly new under the sun. He believes that to understand how something is accomplished, one must seek out those who have already accomplished it and learn from their experiences. Through various methods such as consulting, shadowing, and extensive reading, he believes that anyone can acquire the knowledge and skills they desire. Preferring direct conversations with successful individuals over passive media consumption, Douglas values building relationships with those who are ahead of him in their respective fields, understanding that sharing knowledge is integral to personal and professional growth. He actively engages in discussions with great minds, recognizing the importance of exchanging ideas and perspectives to foster continuous learning and development. individuals across Africa, the Americas, and beyond. Excited about upcoming projects, he views his role as guiding others in the right direction, emphasizing the importance of teaching self-sufficiency. Through sharing knowledge and allocating time, he aims to empower individuals toward financial liberation and personal and professional fulfillment. Empowering Through Impactful Aid Douglas Eze directs a charity organization focused on providing outreach and aid in various forms and seasons. While he appreciates recognition, his primary focus lies in highlighting the individuals he mentors and supports. He emphasizes impact above all else and collaborates with

17. be our doubts of today., , The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will - Franklin D. Roosevelt

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19. T CIO of Valmark Financial Group, is one such brilliant leader who brings a unique perspective to the financial services industry. Could you please give a brief introduction to your company and its inception story? he life insurance and financial services sector, which protects what matters most—life and money—is led by astute leaders. Geoff Moore, This year, Valmark is celebrating its 61st year in business. The founder, Larry S. Rybka, started an agency in 1963 from scratch with Minnesota Life. For the next 21 years in a row, the agency would set production records at Minnesota Life. Contributing to Valmark's most rewarding success—MyCase—Geoffallows advisors to manage all business lines through one user-friendly platform. Along with initiatives like MyShield, Geoff works closely with the recruiting team to attract top talent and prioritizes advisor input in developing various tools. The firm then went on to be a pioneer as an independent producer group. To continue innovating, Valmark Securities was created to enable agents to offer VUL (Variable Universal Life) and Life Settlements. The Life Settlements Advocacy program has created over $110 million of additional value for clients. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your 20+ years of experience in the financial services and technology industries? In an exclusive interview with CIO Outlook, Geoff shared his valuable insights on his successful journey. The snippets are given below: Can you please introduce yourself and your motivation to embark on this sector? The most rewarding aspect of my vast experience is the ability to work on a hard problem for over 10 years with the same firm and staff. Because of various issues such as short tenure, staffing issues, and turnover in key positions, it can often take close to a decade to create truly meaningful change in an organization. I am the Chief Information Officer of the Valmark Financial Group. I originally started my career in investments. When I joined Valmark, I was first introduced to the life insurance industry. Life Insurance is one of the three pillars our advisors use to solve problems for their clients and offer holistic planning. However, at Valmark, the leadership has always been very supportive of technology initiatives. Most of our IT team has worked together for close to a decade. Most organizations just sell life insurance or act as an RIA (registered investment advisor). From a tech perspective, it has been very rewarding to create systems at Valmark that combine what can be very different business lines into one seamless tech experience. 17 If I had to pick one project, it would be our MyCase product. MyCase allows an easy way for agents to submit www.ciooutlookmagazine.com

20. Describe your approach to working with the recruiting team to find and attract the best advisors to join Valmark. What marketing and sales tools have you found to be most effective? We selected Hubspot as our CRM system for the recruiting team. It was excellent at sending and tracking communications as well as deal reporting. We also subscribed to industry data feeds on agents and advisors. At Valmark, we are very selective about the type of advisor that would be a good fit. Good data helps us target our marketing efforts. LinkedIn has also been very helpful. Our CEO has been able to share his key insights in the life insurance industry. Our Mastermind Series, where we invite thought leaders such as Bobby Samuelson, Michael Kitces, and Morgan Housel to join us for in-depth conversations, has also been great for recruiting. How have you worked to make it as easy as possible for Valmark's clients and internal teams to work with the company through tools like MyCase? When we look at software, we often think of developers furiously coding to build the future. Our developers are awesome, and the real key to success with this initiative has been the inclusion of business units in the process. business to Valmark and track the status. It works across all business lines. Agents can use one system for insurance, broker-dealer, and RIA businesses. In 2020, MyCase was named runner-up for Tech Team of the Year by the Greater Cleveland Partnership. It was the culmination of lots of hard work, starting with laying the foundation of systems, data, and processes to deliver an easy experience for our advisors. Can you share an example of how you have helped Valmark leverage technology to enhance its cybersecurity and keep it safe from threats? Cyber is clearly one of the largest risks for a financial services organization. At Valmark, we don't view cyber as a technology problem. It is a business problem. We have a cyber security committee that meets biweekly. The committee is composed of Legal, HR, Finance, Technology, and Compliance. Every development team has both members of the technology team as well as business line units providing direction. We use the scrum methodology, and the product owners and testers work in each of the business lines. This is how we've been able to incorporate the features that really matter to our advisors. This cyber risk is especially true for those of us working in distribution and independent agents working in small offices handling high-dollar transactions. The bad actors have figured this out and are continuously targeting our industry. Further, Valmark has been very inclusive. The company doesn't keep me hidden in the data center basement. Like other members of the senior team, I lead a study group with advisors, speak at our annual conference, and engage regularly with our advisors through other events. Valmark also encourages all staff to further their knowledge through certification and attending industry conferences. We have our finger on the pulse of the industry and are constantly looking for ways to innovate. As part of that cross-functional team, we realized that many of our efforts at protection were scattered across multiple security products. This made it difficult for advisors to have a single pane of glass to understand their risk posture. We developed a consolidated reporting system we call MyShield. It shows the advisor how the firm is performing with security awareness training, phishing, device vulnerability, and messaging compliance. When you put actionable data in front of them, it is easier for them to protect themselves. 18 www.ciooutlookmagazine.com

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24. 3 Important Things to Do When You Are Preparing for Retirement A fter working for some forty years of our lives, we finally reach the time when we can start to think about leaving the daily grind of the workweek behind. The looming change from doing the 9 to 5 each day to having lots of time on our hands is just one of the major shifts that comes with stepping into retirement. In a way, retiring marks a major passage in our lives. Much of our identity, our social network and our daily rhythm is tied up in the work we do each day. When we retire, our life will be very different from when we were part of the working world. The constant flow of cash from our steady paycheck will be gone, and we will have to rely on income from social security, our pensions and 401Ks and our investments. Retirement also coincides with other changes we may be going through, like seeing our kids now established and on their own. As your retirement date approaches, there is a lot you need to think about and three important things you need to do. Where Possible, Pay Off Your Existing Debt As we move into retirement, we typically see a reduction in how much money is coming in each month. If you are like many people, you probably have outstanding credit card debt. You may even have a car loan you are still 22 www.ciooutlookmagazine.com

25. paying on, and possibly even a consumer financing loan too. It’s important that you put together a plan, at least a couple of years before retirement, to pay off all the existing debt that you can. You will be able to adjust to the reality of your reduced retirement income much better if you don’t have credit card and other loan payments weighing you down. Review Your Future Health Insurance Options As we get older, we all have to be concerned with medical care and making sure we are fully covered by our health insurance plans. When we are working, it’s likely that our health insurance options were fairly good and were offered as part of our employment. Now, as retirement looms, we’ll need to look at new insurance options, Once you turn 65, you will now be eligible for coverage by Medicare. There are important decisions to make, so you will want to be sure to get all of the detailed Medicare information you need. It’s a good idea to work with a trusted insurance agent who can help you evaluate whether to choose basic Medicare, a Medicare Supplement plan or Medicare Advantage. Think About Downsizing When we were raising our family and the kids were still at home, it made a lot of sense to have a larger home. As retirement approaches it may be the perfect time to evaluate where, and how, you now want to live. If you find yourself with an empty nest, it could be the perfect time to downsize. Moving to a smaller place to live could dramatically reduce how much you spend each month on housing. In addition, with a smaller home and perhaps fewer belongings, you’ll spend a lot less time each week cleaning and maintaining your home. 23 www.ciooutlookmagazine.com

27. Leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality. - Warren Bennis

28. Creative Success Ways to Achieve Financial in Life I coming up with unique ideas for doing things. Your imagination is one of your best gifts, and you have the ability to visualize beautiful art, solutions and lyrical expressions. Some of those with these gifts become writers, poet or song writers. Others find their home in art, expressing with brush and canvas or in sculptural form. In some cases, this creativity comes flowing forth in computer code, and tech innovations are born. f you have a creative mind, it's likely that you are always dreaming of what could be and There is also a special group of very gifted creatives who not only dream up certain advances, but have an innate desire to birth their ideas into products that could change the world. These creatives are inventors. Thoughts flow at the speed of light through their mind, and in certain moments a brilliant idea lands and the seed of a potential new product is born. From there, it's up to the inventor to develop their dream into physical form. To Protect Your Idea or Invention, Get a Patent When you have birthed a brilliant idea or invention, or maybe come up with a significant improvement on an existing product or device, you need to protect 26 www.ciooutlookmagazine.com

29. your intellectual property. You can help safeguard what you have created by filing a patent application. To file a patent, you will need to seek the help of an attorney who specializes in patent law. The process of filing a patent is very detailed and complicated, and if you don't prepare your filing correctly your entire application could be rejected. You may also be able to work with a company that specializes in invention development for help filing your patent and getting your product to market. Utilize the Services of Specialized Companies As you work your way through the patent application filing, it soon becomes apparent just how inherently complex and arcane the patent process is. To help assure that your application is accepted and approved, you will have to provide incredible detail and in many cases required supporting documentation. Depending on the product or idea you are patenting, you may also find that there are very specialized filing requirements. For instance, if your patent application is in the field of the biologic sciences, you will have to prepare Sequence Listing and include them as part of the filing. This documentation is required because as part of the filing you have to identify the specific nucleotides (RNA or DNA) and the amino acid proteins that are covered by your application. Specialized companies have custom, powerful software that can quickly and accurately generate the data you will need to include in your filing. Leverage Crowdsourcing to Bring Your Product to Market When it is time to get your invention or product to market, tap into the power of crowdsourcing. After you have the patent protections you need, you can create a prototype using 3D printing or other innovative technologies. Once your prototype is complete, it's time to create a flashy video that highlights the wonderful benefits of your new idea or product. With the right video, you may go viral and you'll be able to fund your product production from orders by early buyers. Best of all, they'll likely share your video with friends and you will get additional orders there. 27 www.ciooutlookmagazine.com

31. The only way to dogre wk what you do. is tolove - Steve Jobs

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