WiRC participants can network with professionals across the retirement industry to help build and grow their businesses. Industry partners participate in all conference sessions, present “Big Ideas,” and engage in discussions alongside attendees.
The Women in Retirement Conference (WiRC) is the only conference of its kind, with content built by women advisors and TPAs for women. WiRC brings together business owners and managers in the retirement plan service industry to focus on four key areas: leadership, marketing, practice management and personal growth.
WiRC is designed to address the challenges and opportunities of women in the industry, both personally and professionally. This event — which features keynote speakers, as well as intimate roundtables and workshops — is designed to inspire women in the retirement services industry to seek their highest level of personal and professional growth.
NetWiRC
Who Can Attend:
Our primary attendees are TPAs and advisors, but we also welcome women who service the retirement plan industry including, Actuaries, CPAs, ERISA attorneys, HR Professionals, Plan Sponsors, Recordkeepers, Service Providers, Team Administrators and Wealth Associates. We believe that this event can be an introduction to new career paths for many women in the retirement plan industry.
Audience
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).
Agenda
What Happens at WiRC
Day One: January 12th
WiRC begins on day one with a networking reception and dinner, followed by a night of fun on the town, better known as “AfterWiRC.” We believe that there is more to life than numbers and find value in formal and informal networking opportunities!
4:30pm – 6pm
Registration & Welcome Reception
6pm – 8pm
“WiRC”-ing Welcome Dinner
8pm
After WiRC Event
Day Two: January 13th
Thursday kicks off with a “NetWiRCing” breakfast, followed by opportunities to connect with your peers in small groups. We’ll also have general sessions, BIG ideas from our sponsors, and AfterWiRC consisting of a uniquely local Ladies Night out that you won’t want to miss!
8am – 8:50am
Breakfast & Opening Remarks
9am – 9:50am
General Session #1
10am – 11am
BIG Ideas Sponsor Presentations
11am – 11:50am
Breakout Session
12pm – 12:50pm
Net “WiRC”-ing Lunch
1pm – 1:50pm
General Session #2
2pm - 2:50pm
Breakout Session
3pm – 3:50pm
BIG Ideas Sponsor Presentations
4pm – 5pm
General Session #3
6pm – 9pm
After WiRC Event
Day Three: January 14th
On our last morning we’ll have a Sunrise “WiRC-out,” come together for one more NetWiRCing breakfast, and spend our last day building our marketing and practice management muscles. We’ll top it off with a daring and inspiring workshop and a NetWiRCing lunch to close out the day.
6:15am – 7:15am
Sunrise “WiRC”-out
8:15am – 9am
Breakfast & Welcome Day 2
9am – 9:50am
General Session #4
10am – 10:55am
BIG Ideas Sponsor Presentations
11am – 11:50am
General Session #5
12pm – 1pm
Closing Lunch
Continuing Education
The conference is designed to offer up to 9 hours of ASPPA/NAPA/NTSA CE.
To request approval for a specific type of credit, please click here.
CoWiRCers
Meet the 2020 WiRC Committee
WiRC Co-Chair
Megan C. Crawford, ERPA, QPA
Megan Crawford, ERPA, QPA, is a principal at Williams Benefit Consulting, LLC where she has gained unparalleled experience over her 10 years in the retirement plan space. Megan is known for helping, educating, and supporting clients and their employees as they plan for retirement. Outside of the office, Megan enjoys spending time with her family and traveling. She is also passionate about fundraising for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
WiRC Co-Chair
Emily Minnich, CPFA™, CFP®
Emily Minnich, CFP® has over ten years of experience in investment management and retirement plan consulting, with an expertise in financial planning and plan participant education. She joined with UBS in 2005 after having spent three years at the Prudential/Wachovia joint venture. Emily emphasizes asset allocation and total portfolio management, including structures for education funding, charitable giving and estate planning. She focuses on assisting clients with fiduciary compliance, manager and vendor searches, fee analysis, and benchmarking and overall client experience.
Emily Minnich, CFP® has over ten years of experience in investment management and retirement plan consulting, with an expertise in financial planning and plan participant education. She joined with UBS in 2005 after having spent three years at the Prudential/Wachovia joint venture. Emily emphasizes asset allocation and total portfolio management, including structures for education funding, charitable giving and estate planning. She focuses on assisting clients with fiduciary compliance, manager and vendor searches, fee analysis, and benchmarking and overall client experience.
After receiving a B.S. in Business Administration with a specialization in marketing from Bowling Green State University, Emily went on to earn an extensive list of professional credentials, including the Series 7, 66, life and health insurance licenses and the prestigious Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) designation. Emily has been recognized by the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) as one of the Top Women Advisors in 2015, and the Top 50 Under 40 for two consecutive years (2015 & 2016).
Outside of the office, Emily enjoys staying active and is an indoor cycling instructor in Westlake. She is also an active alumna at St Joseph’s Academy and a member of the Women in Pension Network. Emily and her husband make their home in Westlake, OH.
Julie A. Altig, QPA, QKA, ERPA
Julie Altig, QKA, QPA, ERPA is Vice President of Operations for Atlantic Pension Services, a non-producing Third-Party Administrator. Julie helps small and mid-size business owners create a meaningful retirement for their employees through complex plan design and annual administration. After working for almost a decade with Associated Pension Consultants in Sacramento, California, Julie moved across country in 2007 and began working for Atlantic Pension Services.
Julie Altig, QKA, QPA, ERPA is Vice President of Operations for Atlantic Pension Services, a non-producing Third-Party Administrator. Julie helps small and mid-size business owners create a meaningful retirement for their employees through complex plan design and annual administration. After working for almost a decade with Associated Pension Consultants in Sacramento, California, Julie moved across country in 2007 and began working for Atlantic Pension Services.
Julie is native Californian and a graduate of the University of the Pacific where she had the opportunity to study abroad in Italy and Ecuador. Having the experience as an exchange student herself has inspired Julie to open her home to exchange students from all over the world. Julie has cared for exchange students from Japan, Italy, Finland, and most recently Spain. Julie also enjoys home improvement and dabbles in Real Estate flipping and home rehab projects. Julie is a huge animal lover. Her husband and two children help her care for their current menagerie including three dogs and three cats.
Linda M. Chadbourne, APR, APA, QKA, PFC
Technical Pension Advocate providing simplified solutions to workplace retirement plans.
Nicole Corning, CFP®, CRPC®, AIF®
Nicole Corning CFP®, CRPC®, AIF® is a Partner and Fundamental Choice Portfolio Manager at Buckman & Corning Financial Strategies Group. She has been part of the finance and banking industry in Scottsdale, Arizona since 2001 and currently serves as a Financial Advisor with the Buckman and Corning Financial Strategies Group. Nicole is one of nine voting members of the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA) leadership committee, and was named one of the 2018 Top Women Advisors by NAPA.*
Prior to coming to Arizona, Nicole worked in Washington D.C. and had the honor of working on two presidential campaigns as well as several senatorial and congressional campaigns around the country. Nicole is also a published author. She is active in the Scottsdale non-profit community and sits on the board of Cortney’s Place. Nicole graduated Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She has two young sons, three loyal rescue dogs, and has been (mostly) happily married since 2001.
*NAPA Top Women Advisors were nominated and voted on by industry peers and selected by a NAPA panel of judges based on information about their practice, experience and accomplishments as provided by the nominee. Investment performance is not an explicit component CAR 1218-02457
Kirsten L. Curry, APM, CEO
CEO, Attorney & Founder, I Champion Closing the Retirement Savings Gap for Women and Minorities.
Michelle Engle, Suncoast Wealth Solutions, Saint Petersburg, FL
More Than Just A Financial Advisor. Customizing Investments While Helping Your Dreams & Goals Come True!
Erin Hall, CPFA, managing director, Strategic Retirement Partners, Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Helping 401(k)/403(b) plan committees expect more and gain confidence they’re doing the right things with 3 essential ingredients.
Leah M. Hill, CPC, QKA, QPA, director, Retirement Plan Service, Shepherd Financial, Carmel, IN
Amanda R. Iverson, APM, COO, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC, Tucson, AZ
Virginia Krieger Sutton, QKA, QPFC, consultant, Johnson & Dugan, Redwood City, CA
Melissa Terito, partner, Sentinel Pension, Baton Rouge, LA
Kathleen J. Tompkins, EA, MSPA, MAAA
Kathy is a co-founding partner of Shore Tompkins Actuarial Resources, a Chicago-based TPA firm that specializes in retirement plan design & compliance administration for 401(k), 403(b), profit sharing and cash balance plans. She started her career in the retirement industry right out of college and has been actively involved ever since. She enjoys navigating the challenges & opportunities that constantly come with the everchanging landscape of our industry. Kathy is an enrolled actuary with a specialized background in 401k administration, and has been a member of ASPPA for over 25 years.
Gabrielle Turner, CPSP™, director of human resources, Outerknown, Irvine, CA
Renee Scherzer, CPFA, 401k Resources, Scottsdale, AZ
Registration Rates
Through 12/03/21 | Through 1/11/22 | Through 1/14/22 |
|
| Member Advisors or TPAs | |||
| Non-Member Advisors or TPAs | |||
| Advisor Firm Home Office Staff & Closely-Related Job Functions |
Photo Gallery
Relive Past WiRC Experiences
Conference Venue & Hotel Information
Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach
321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort offers everything you need to feel renewed and enriched. Settle in to one of our redesigned rooms and suites, many of which offer ocean views; satisfy cravings with the healthful options from our 24-hour in-room dining menu and sleep well on the iconic Westin Heavenly® Bed. Additional amenities at the resort include the peaceful Heavenly Spa by Westin™, as well as Mexican fare at Pablo Salas’ Lona Cocina Tequileria, a hearty breakfast at Tinta and poolside dining at Waves Bar & Grill. Stroll across our skywalk to the beach and shop on Las Olas Boulevard while you’re there. An empowering experience awaits you.
Room Rate: $269
Event Policies
Registration Refund Policy
Requests for refunds should be submitted to accountsreceivable@usaretirement.org by December 15. A refund of the conference fee, minus a $100 processing fee, will be given for cancellations received by that date. No refunds will be granted for requests received after this date. Please note that refunds will not be given for no-shows.
Substitution Policy
Substitution of registrations is permitted prior to the conference. Only one substitution is permitted per original registrant. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for updating any contact information. Requests for substitutions should be submitted to accountsreceivable@usaretirement.org by January 5. No substitutions will be accepted after this date.
Badges
Attendees who register in advance may pick up their badge and onsite materials at the Registration Desk during conference hours. If you do not check in at the Registration Desk to pick up your badge, you will be deemed a no-show and continuing education credit will not be issued. Attendees are not permitted to pick up other attendees’ badges/materials.
Covid Waiver & Safety Protocols
All attendees will be required to complete a Covid waiver in order to attend the event. If the waiver is not signed in advance, you will be prompted to complete it before you can collect your badge onsite. No one will be granted admission to the event if a Covid waiver is not completed. In addition, all attendees must comply with the posted safety procedures stipulated by WiRC or the event venue.
Event Performance
If the event is canceled, WiRC will refund your registration fee. WiRC is not responsible for individual airfare, hotel or any other travel expenses that may be incurred.
Consent to Use of Photographic Images
Your registration and attendance at, or participation in, the event and other affiliated activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to grant WiRC permission to use photos taken of you at the event for news, promotion and similar purposes.
Unauthorized Solicitations
Solicitation of business by anyone other than WiRC exhibitors and sponsors is strictly prohibited. Please report any violations to the registration desk.
Hotel
By making a reservation in the conference hotel room block, you agree that the hotel can share with WiRC basic information about your stay, including your name, arrival, and departure dates.
Program Content
The views and opinions expressed by speakers or others who have provided materials to and for this conference are not necessarily those of WiRC or ARA or its affiliate organizations. WiRC, ARA, and its affiliate organizations assume no responsibility for, nor endorse, any of the comments, recommendations or materials that are provided.
Event Code of Conduct
The American Retirement Association, the umbrella organization for the individual membership organizations: ASPPA, ASEA, NAPA, NTSA and PSCA (collectively the “ARA”), is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants at ARA events. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, service providers and ARA staff members, and all others are expected to abide by this Events Code of Conduct. This policy applies to all ARA events (in-person and virtual), including all meetings and conferences, as well as events sponsored by organizations other than ARA but held in conjunction with ARA events. Read the full Event Code of Conduct.
Antitrust Policy
The American Retirement Association, the umbrella organization for five affiliate organizations, ASPPA, ASEA, NAPA, NTSA and PSCA (collectively the “ARA”), assigns the highest priority to full compliance with both the letter and the spirit of antitrust laws and it is vital that any ARA meetings be conducted in a manner consistent with this policy. Read the full Antitrust Policy.