English is the official language of the 2025 MDRT Top of the Table Annual Meeting.
D. Kyle Atkins, CLU, CFP, has more than 39 years of experience in the financial services profession and is an active member of numerous national and local professional organizations.
At some point, nearly every advisor will deal with buying, merging or transitioning a business. Gain lessons on each practice continuation from MDRT members with extensive experience and insight.
Christopher V. Kimball, CFP, MSFS, is the owner of Christopher V. Kimball Financial Services. He has 31 years of experience in the financial services profession, specializing in investment management and financial planning. He received his master’s degree in financial services from The American College and has a background in electronic sales and advertising copywriting. He currently serves as board president of Network Services, a nonprofit that assists homeless families.
Just by asking a question, Kimball launched a fundraiser in 2003 that has raised tens of thousands of dollars for charities and continues to this day. He explains how to overcome the fear of rejection and why the fear of asking can be the difference between success and failure.
Darren Patrick Ryan, CFP, CLU, is the insurance and estate planning subject matter expert at Ryco Financial Inc. He has been providing professional financial advice for more than 10 years and specializes in helping professionals meet their investment goals and insurance needs, with a special segment of his practice tailored toward physicians and health care professionals. He was appointed to Manulife's Insurance Advisory Council and Digital Advisory Council in 2019 and was recently included in the Top 40 under 40 Rising Stars by Wealth Professional Canada.
Karl Hartey is a visionary entrepreneur, author and financial expert, renowned for his innovative approach to wealth management. As the founder of Hartey Wealth Management, he has built a reputation for blending traditional financial expertise with cutting-edge technology. He has authored multiple books, including the “Smart Money” series, and pioneered the use of AI to enhance client engagement, streamline operations and unlock creative potential. Hartey has delivered inspiring talks at MDRT and other global platforms, sharing actionable insights with financial professionals and empowering others to reimagine what’s possible in business.
From turning a simple bathroom idea into more than 10 published children’s books to building an AI-powered “Karl Bot,” Hartey reveals how AI unlocks creativity, streamlines operations and enhances client relationships. Learn how AI can draft 20,000-word books in hours, optimize marketing strategies in minutes and deliver personalized client insights instantly.
Francis J. Ryan, CEBS, CFP, is the group benefits and group retirement solutions subject matter expert at Ryco Financial Inc. He joined Ryco in 2016 following a five-year career as a geoscientist in the energy industry. His diverse background in science and business gives him a unique perspective in understanding and implementing financial strategies aligned with clients' goals and objectives. Ryan was awarded the National Associate Advisor Award in 2018, 2019 and 2020 by Manulife Wealth Insurance Services Inc., and was appointed to Manulife's Insured Investments Advisory Council in 2019.
Darrell Wade has spent more than two decades helping families connect their business goals with their personal financial dreams. As co-founder of Park Place Financial, he has been instrumental in building the firm on lasting relationships, personalized service and proven results rooted in trust, strategy and family values. He blends strategic financial insight with a deep understanding of family dynamics, helping clients navigate the complexities of succession, stewardship, and investment planning with clarity and purpose. He is an active MDRT member and spends nonworking hours mentoring youth in finance and agriculture.
Gregory K. Large, CLU, ChFC, is a founding member of Lenox Advisors, where he currently serves as president. Since 1999, Large has focused on building a client-centric wealth management platform to service clients across the country. His primary role today is centered on the strategic growth of Lenox Advisors, including the integration of evolving technology, strategic partnerships, and the expansion of the Lenox capabilities suite and national footprint. He has been quoted in The Wall Street Journal and Advisor Today, has appeared on Bloomberg Television and received recognition multiple times by Forbes magazine as a top financial security professional.
How can you develop a business model that promotes sustainability and greater embedded value with recurring income? MDRT members share techniques that have led them to do just that.
Juli Y. McNeely, CFP, CLU, grew up in the financial services profession, watching her mother and father serve clients. She currently is an owner of Financial Clarity by Design, an independent firm founded by her father, while also growing her personal coaching practice, Juli McNeely Consulting LLC. She became NAIFA’s first female president in 2014 and was awarded the WIFS Woman of the Year award in 2015. In 2016, McNeely released “No Necktie Needed: A Woman’s Guide to Success in Financial Services.”
Alison J. Flaum, ChFC, CLU, has been the sole producer of an insurance, investment and planning practice since 1997, with two full-time staff and clients in more than 30 states. She was included as one of the top 100 financial security professionals by Forbes magazine for the last several years and is a qualifying member of New York Life's prestigious Nautilus Plus and Cabinet.
No matter how much you love your work and produce at a high level, sometimes it feels like the tail wags the dog. Flaum shares techniques she uses to maintain work-life balance and mental health while also qualifying for Top of the Table.
Lee Min Shing currently serves as associate director at IPP Financial Advisors. He began his career in financial services in 2021 and has distinguished himself as a top producer in the profession.
A former elite athlete in dragon boating, Min Shing has seamlessly transferred the discipline, resilience and team-driven mindset from sports into the financial advisory world. Learn how he brings the same competitive edge and strategic focus to help clients achieve financial success, and how his experience reflects how high-performance habits transcend domains.
