John D. Richardson, LACP, RICP

As you prepare for a career in the financial services industry, what do you need to know upon graduation? Hear from NAIFA member, John D. Richardson about the things she knows now, that she wished she would have known when he started his career. John is a National Young Advisor Team Leader of the Year, a graduate of the University of Tennessee, and an Eagle Scout and Past President of NAIFA-Tennessee. John's story begins as a college student selling books door-to-door, to working for Dave Ramsey and he'll share with you how his career has evolved from those early post-college years!

Jill VanNostrand

Getting started with a career in the financial services industry often can be overwhelming. It means figuring out what you want to do and where you fit. In this session, hear from Jill VanNostrand about finding your passion and where it fits into the industry so you can hit the ground running upon graduation. Jill built an impressive career as a musician and college professor and followed her passion for financial wellness into personal finance as a financial advisor.

Rick Demko, CLU, ChFC, RICP, LUCTF, LACP, Mimie Yoon-Lee & Derek Scheetz

Let these financial services professionals pitch you to follow in their footsteps by telling you what they do, how they got there & why they love it. After playing rugby for the University of Arizona and receiving a degree in Business Management, Rick Demko, began his career with State Farm and then moved to advanced planning with New York Life. He is currently the Head of Agency at Centric Wealth in Houston. Derek Scheetz began his college career playing lacrosse at Denison University and later transferred to The Ohio State University to play at the Division I level. In 2012, He graduated with a degree in Consumer & Family Financial Management. Derek is currently a financial representative with Lifetime Financial Growth, one of the largest Guardian agencies, based in Columbus. A career in financial services is not where Mimie Yoon-Lee landed after graduating from the University of California, Davis with a degree in Ag Econ with an emphasis in Managerial Economics. She left her career in retail management for a career in financial services. Mimie is currently Executive Director at Hightower Advisors in the Oakland area.

Chris Gandy, LACP

According to the NCAA, the chances of going pro in men's basketball is 1.2% beyond high school, but Chris Gandy did it. The chances of making it through the first years in the financial services industry is often cited as less than 15%, but Gandy did it. Being featured in GQ? Done that. Top producer in OneAmerica? He's got that accolade, too. Hear from the former University of Illinois forward, former NBA player (and was even a teammate of MJ), and the founder of Midwest Legacy Group outside of Chicago, Chris Gandy, on his best practices for getting started and staying ahead. In a competitive industry, learn tips and discover tools to differentiate yourself.