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    • WiRC Conference
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WiRC

The Women in Retirement Conference (WiRC) sponsors unique events that provide content built by women — and for women — in the retirement plan industry. Through in-person and virtual events, WiRC uniquely brings together women from across the industry to focus on five key areas: leadership, marketing, practice management, personal growth and advocacy.

Attendees of WiRC events are typically TPAs and financial advisors, but we also welcome advisor-firm home office staff and professionals in closely related job functions (ERISA attorneys, client service staff, relationship managers, etc.). Many WiRC participants are members of one or more of the American Retirement Association’s (ARA) sister organizations: American Society of Enrolled Actuaries (ASEA), American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries (ASPPA), National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), National Tax-deferred Savings Association (NTSA), and Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA).

WiRC Committee Steering Committee

ASPPA

Kelly Hummel, QKA
Limestone Pension Associates
Newark, DE

PSCA

Barbara Giesing, CPSP™
Vice President of Human Resources
Plano, TX

Lenora Hernandez, PHRca®, CPSP

NTSA

Rian Steinbiss, CRES
Clearpath Wealth Partners, LLC -Lincoln Investment Planning, Inc.
Marlton, NJ

Darlene Flagg
Vice President, Retirement National Life Group

NAPA

Kathy Seimet
Gallagher
Bloomfield Hills, MI

ASEA

HuiHui Jiang
Chief Actuary & Partner
ERISA Pension Systems
Fort Lauderdale, FL

Virginia Krieger Sutton, QKA, QPFC (ASPPA)
Consultant, Johnson & Dugan
Redwood City, CA

Third Thursdays with
Women in Retirement

In response to pandemic issues, WiRC created a series of virtual gatherings called “Third Thursdays.” These events are offered monthly and are complimentary to members. Like the in person WiRC conference, these 60-to-90-minute events have a unique vibe and feature industry presentations and attendee interaction. Each Third Thursdays experience focuses on one of the four core topic areas: leadership, marketing, practice management, or personal growth. They offer an accessible option to a wide range of women in the retirement industry and an opportunity to meet and connect with other professionals on a regular basis.

Sign Up for May Session

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Leading the Charge

How Advocacy and Leadership can Increase Women’s Participation in the Financial Industry with Rock the Street Wallstreet

May 18, 2023
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

Join Third Thursdays with Women in Retirement in a fireside conversation with Ashley Leftwich, Chief Operating Officer of Rock the Street, Wall Street.

Rock The Street, Wall Street is a financial and investment literacy program designed to bring both gender and racial equity to the financial markets and spark the interest of high school girls into careers of finance.

Key takeaways:
The importance of in increasing Women’s representation and equity within the financial industry.

Insights into building more equitable workplaces by exploring the challenges girls face and discussing the role of mentorship in driving change.

Learn from RTSWS, how women with the tools and skills needed to lead and advocate for themselves and others, can work towards creating a more diverse financial industry.

This session is complimentary to all members.

Sponsored by:

Sign Up for March Session

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Embracing Equity and Thriving

March 16, 2023
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

In celebration of March’s International Women’s Day and the theme of #EmbraceEquity, help us “give equity an embrace” and join us to learn how ARA is encouraging women to Thrive in financial fields through education, mentoring, and professional development!

Women continue to be underrepresented in financial services roles, above entry level, with women of color fairing even worse. Join us to learn what opportunities the ARA has available to embrace equity, support women working in the retirement industry, and to help close the retirement gap for underrepresented groups.

        

Hosted by: Third Thursday Committee Member Barbara Giesing, MPA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPSP™
Owner/COO BAG HR Consulting

This session is complimentary to all members.

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Color Your Emotions: An Art Therapy Adventure

February 16, 2023
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

Join February Third Thursday with Women in Retirement for an Art Therapy session to experience a safe and healthy way to express, explore, and understand your emotions. Through this session, you will have the opportunity to identify and explore your values, goals, strengths, and skills important to your future success. Art Therapy can also help facilitate problem-solving. Discover the benefits for yourself.

        

Speaker:
Shazia Siddiqi, MA, LPC, ATR-BC
Board Certified Art Therapist & Licensed Professional Counselor
Let’s Art About It, Workplace Wellness

Hosted by: Third Thursday Committee Members

This session is complimentary to all members.

* Session is complimentary for all members.

The Power of Women in Retirement

December 15, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

Holidays are the perfect time to share.  Let’s learn from each other in an open meeting to discuss our triumphs, learning opportunities, and hopefully share a laugh or two.  Join us as we take the time to learn from each other in guided discussions.    

        

Hosted by: Third Thursday Committee Members

This session is complimentary to all members.

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Grateful for Our Opportunities

November 17, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

Join us for a conversation with Future Plan by Ascensus’s new President Kasey Price and learn about her professional journey in a Q&A session “Grateful for Our Opportunities” with our hosts.

      
        

Hosts:        
Angie Moore
Kemper CPA Group LLP

Hui Hui Jiang, MSEA
Chief Actuary & Sr. VP
ERISA Pensions Systems

Kathy R. Seimet, QKA, CPFA
Senior Retirement Plan Consultant
Gallagher Benefit Services

This session is complimentary to all members.

Sponsored by:

      
        

 

* Session is complimentary for all members.

How Stress Impacts the Brain and Ways to Cope

October 20, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

The stress response is a complex physiological reaction to challenge, threat, and danger. Some stress has beneficial effects and sharpens thinking but too much can be strenuous, potentially leading to faulty decision-making. Join us for a conversation with clinical psychologist and brain wellness practitioner, Dr. Marie Stoner, to learn what happens in the brain and body when you are stressed and with suggestions for managing your stress for positive outcomes.

How are you coping with stress? Join us (via zoom) for Third Thursday, “How Stress Impacts the brain, and Ways to Cope” learn what happens in the brain and body when we are stressed and suggestions for managing your stress with guest Dr. Marie Stoner, M. Ed Clinical Psychologist and Co- Founder, Active Brain, and Body.

      
        

Guest Speakers:        
Marie Stoner, M.Ed.
Chief Science Officer & Co-Founder
Activate Brain & Body

Hosted by: Third Thursday Committee Members

This session is complimentary to all members.

Sign Up for September Session

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Preparing Women for Retirement

September 15, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

Discussing retiree segmentation; presenting from ‘Retirement Redefined’ thought leadership research we conducted with 1000 pre retirees and retirees, half of whom were women.  The research looked at retirement from a financial perspective, but also LTC and Medicare.  Will take a deep dive to deliver the findings with a focus on women pre-retirees and retirees and pull in some content on the retiree segmentation that was done across the whole population.
        
      

Learning Objectives:

      • Understanding the pre-retiree/retiree retirement experience: How they feel about retirement, their worries, concerns, struggles
      • Explore pre-retiree and retiree sentiments on LTC, Medicare/Health Insurance and how well equipped they feel (or not) to make decisions as it relates to LTC and Medicare
      • Introduce of the four pre-retiree/retiree segments that will help sponsors, advisors understand how to speak and message to each segment
        

Guest Speakers:        
Kathrin Schumacher

Hosted by: Third Thursday Committee Members

This session is complimentary to all members.

Sponsored by:

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Workplace Culture: Investing in diversity to create a financially strong workforce and company

August 18, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

HR professionals realize that we can all do better when assessing our culture and inclusiveness. What is an Employee Resource Group (“ERG”) or Employee Affinity Group (“EAG”)? How can these groups inspire a more engaged workforce? Can they be leveraged to promote financial literacy and security?
Join us to learn ways to promote diversity to attract, retain and engage the workforce while encouraging financial security.
        

Join us to learn ways to promote diversity to attract, retain and engage the workforce while encouraging financial security.

        

This session will provide:

      • Ideas for working with your clients, or as an HR professional and leadership team, to honor foundational values and support a diverse workforce in attaining financial security
      • How to retain and support a diverse workforce; what are actions you can take to align leadership and the different areas of a workforce for improved retirement savings or financial wellness
      • A forum to discuss how national DEI trends may be tailored to how you impact (interact) with your clients locally
        

Guest Speakers:        
Stephanie Wemusa, MSOD, Director, Diversity, Equity Inclusion and Belonging, Mindbody and Adjunct Professor – Communications Trainer, San Jose State University
Kay Prescher, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Director, Total Rewards, Webcor
Barbara Giesing, MPA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, CPSP, Owner, BAG HR Consulting

Hosted by: Third Thursday Committee Members

This session is complimentary to all members.

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Winning the Talent War: Arming yourself with knowledge of Non-Qualified Plans to recruit and retain top talent

July 21, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

What if you had the tools to help solve the biggest challenge companies are facing today? To win the “talent war” consider arming yourself with knowledge of Non-Qualified Plans. You don’t need to be an expert to be a resource. Join us to learn how strategically investing in your key employees can better your chances of recruiting and retaining top talent.
        

Learning Objectives:        

      • Learn what non-qualified plans are, who is eligible, and how they work
      • How to identify when there is a great fit for non-qualified plan in an organization
      • Gain knowledge about the industry partners and resources who can assist with implementation and servicing these plans
        

In addition, there will be a special 5-minute segment at the beginning of our webcast from Newport highlighting the recent Newport/PLANSPONSOR NQDC survey. Attendees will be provided an advance copy of Newport’s full survey report.

 

Guest Speakers:        
Jeffery Acheson, CPWA®, CFP®, CPFA®, AIF®, CEPA®
Chief Business Development Officer
Independent Financial Partners

Nicole Corning, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®
Managing Partner
Buckman & Corning Financial Strategies Group

Erin Hall, MBA, AIF®, C(k)P®, CPFA®
Managing Director
Strategic Retirement Partners

Hosted by: Third Thursday Committee Members

This session is complimentary to all members.

Sponsored by:

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Level Up Your Advocacy

June 16, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

Knowing what’s new, what’s not, and what’s relevant NOW is a key to leveling up in your career.  Join us for an interactive (and sometimes surprisingly passionate) discourse on current retirement policy legislation, the ones we like, like but would modify, and the ideas that are already outdated and behind the times. During this session, Kelsey Mayo and the Government Affairs team will seek your direct input on the provisions that should be included in the next retirement legislative package.  We will encourage a high level of interactivity between attendees.

 

Moderated by: Kelsey Mayo, Lead Employee Benefits Attorney at Poyner Spruill LLP, Director of Regulatory Affairs, American Retirement Association

Hosted by: Third Thursday Committee Members

This session is complimentary to all members.

Sponsored by:

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Grief & Loss of the Life that Was: Acknowledging Struggle & Learning How to Cope

May 19, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

To say that life has fundamentally changed since 2019 is something that you’ve all heard before. What we don’t talk about as much are the complex feelings so many people have as a result of that process. While we have mourned the physical loss of so many people in the past 2 years, it’s also important that we acknowledge the feelings of longing, grief, and loss of how we used to go about our daily lives. Not knowing how to name those feelings or how to deal with those emotions can sometimes be as painful as the loss itself. Whether it was a change in how you work, how you socialize, how your relationships have changed, or things even bigger than that – we’ve all lost a certain way of how we lived our lives in the ‘Before Time’. We want to normalize discussing this topic in our community, and that’s why we’ve invited a mental health at work specialist to come speak with us for that purpose.

Melissa Doman, MA is an Organizational Psychologist, Former Clinical Mental Health Therapist, & Author of Yes, You Can Talk About Mental Health at Work (Here’s Why And How To Do It Really Well).

Join us for a fireside interview with Melissa so that we can get a better understanding of what so many of us have experienced, why we need to normalize these discussions and practical tools we can use to manage this transition we’re all in. After the interview, there will be an opportunity to ask Melissa questions in real-time about the content that was discussed and we absolutely encourage you to participate in that portion of the event. You never how your question, or the resulting answer, may benefit others in our community. If you would like to learn more about Melissa, her work, or her book – please visit www.melissadoman.com. We look forward to seeing you there.

Speaker:
Melissa Doman, MA

Hosted by Third Thursday Committee Members:
Julie A. Altig, QPA, QKA
Owner/Partner
Atlantic Pension Services, Inc.

Kelly A. Hummel, QKA
Pension Administrator
Limestone Pension Associates, LLC

This session is complimentary to all members.

Sponsored by:

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Out Care Your Competition: The Power of a Customer-Centric Brand

April 21, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

Think of today’s great consumer brands — Apple, Starbucks, Zappos. These companies have profoundly shifted their focus from commodities (cell phones, coffee, shoes) to the customer for long-term sustainable competitive advantage. The “secret sauce” these companies are bottling is simple: they get personal and connect at a human level. They create fierce brand loyalty, and those ecstatic fans willingly refer new customers. By focusing on exceeding expectations and “out-caring” the competition, attendees can drive new relationships and growth for their firms (and their careers). To be successful, leaders must deliver a customer-centric brand experience – one that builds trust, engagement and loyalty. Out Care Your Competition attendees will discover the essential elements that can turn customer-centric businesses into referrals and new growth for their practice.

Attendees will discover:

  • How to link customer discovery to strategy development
  • What it takes to understand customer needs and create the experience that goes beyond selling
  • Strategies for more impactful customer relationships

 

Speaker:

Sheri Fitts, Speaker | Consultant | Creator – Sheri Fitts & CO.

This session is complimentary to all members.

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Women Continue to #BreakTheBias

March 17, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

State Street Global Advisors takes action against companies who fail to add female directors to their boards – and as a result, companies are continuing to respond to their call and adding women to the highest positions of their organizations. With their gender diversity efforts and Fearless Girl campaign playing no small part, today there is global focus on the value of diversity in the boardrooms. Join State Street Global Advisors and the American Retirement Association, Thursday, March 17th at 4:30 p.m. ET as we celebrate Women’s Month and continue the work to #BreakTheBias – 365 days of the year. Let’s #GetToWiRC!

This session is complimentary to all members.

Sponsored by 

* Session is complimentary for all members.

Suze Orman on Empowering Employees through Financial Security

February 17, 2022
4:30–5:30 p.m. Eastern

The true goal of money is security and empowerment, however around 65% of women feel anxious about their finances. Suze Orman, Co-founder of SecureSave, and Frances Evensen, Vice President of Sales at SecureSave, are on a mission to change that and help under-represented people in the workplace gain the financial security and empowerment we all deserve.

Join Suze and Frances for practical and tangible steps on how to effect positive change in your workplace by helping employees build financial security. During this session, Suze and Frances will discuss how to:

  • Generate a foundation of financial security for yourself and all of your employees through Emergency Savings Accounts
  • Ensure you have a financial wellness program that can actually drive impact and benefit your diverse workforce
  • Minimize the cost employee financial stress has on your business
  • Empower your employees and generate better business outcomes

 

Guest Speakers: Suze Orman Bestselling Author | Host of the Women & Money Podcast | Co-Founder of SecureSave and Frances Evensen, Vice President of Sales at SecureSave

Moderator: Nicole Corning, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF® – Managing Partner, Fundamental Choice Portfolio Manager

This session is complimentary to all members.

Sponsored by 

  • American Retirement Association
  • 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, #600, Arlington, VA 22203
  • (703) 516-9300
  • CustomerCare@napa-net.org
American Retirement Association

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    • WiRC Conference
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  • Thrive Mentoring Program
  • Advocacy
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