Building Legislative Bridges in Financial Services With Diane Boyle

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn: 

• [02:34] Diane Boyle discusses the structure and mission of NAIFA’s Government Relations team
• [09:06] What to look for when hiring high-performing advocacy professionals
• [13:35] Showcasing the GR team more visibly at national events
• [19:43] Strategies to engage and attract new generations to NAIFA membership
• [30:24] Diane shares key policy issues to know ahead of the Congressional Conference
• [38:51] What not to do in meetings with lawmakers and how to stay nonpartisan
• [48:35] How NAIFA's in-district meetings strengthen legislative relationships

In this episode…

Creating effective government relations in a rapidly shifting political and regulatory environment can feel overwhelming, especially for professionals navigating federal and state-level advocacy. With political landscapes evolving and stakeholder engagement becoming more nuanced, how can organizations build a cohesive and influential advocacy strategy that drives policy impact?

Diane Boyle, a seasoned expert in government relations, outlines a dynamic, team-centered approach to advocacy. She emphasizes hiring team members with technical experience and collaborative personalities, ensuring everyone contributes to a shared mission. She shares how policy development begins with committee recommendations and moves strategically through lobbying channels. Diane also stresses mentorship and pairing new members with veterans to foster inclusive engagement. She recommends relationship-building over partisanship and highlights the need for personalized, respectful interactions with lawmakers.

In this episode of the Advisor Today podcast, co-hosts Chris Gandy and Bianca Alonso Weiss interview Diane Boyle, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at NAIFA, about building and leading high-performing advocacy teams. Diane discusses tips for attracting emerging talent, creating effective policy pipelines, and coordinating grassroots efforts. She also shares tips for navigating Congressional Conference meetings, aligning generational perspectives, and handling politically sensitive moments professionally.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Chris Gandy on LinkedIn
• NAIFA
• Bianca Alonso Weiss on LinkedIn
• Zack Huels on LinkedIn
• Diane Boyle on LinkedIn

Quotable Moments: 

• “You have to have political acumen, right? You have to have that understanding of how the government works.”
• “I want people who are going to work hard. I want people who are independent thinkers.”
• “If you really don't like them, the way that you solve that is you elect somebody else.”
• “We’ve been blessed that our issues are non-partisan, so don’t blow it.”
• “I play with whoever you put in the sandbox. So it doesn’t matter to me who.”

Action Steps:

1. Cultivate bipartisan advocacy relationships: Building trust with legislators across the political spectrum strengthens influence and ensures lasting policy success.
2. Hire for both expertise and team fit: Team chemistry is critical in high-stakes policy environments where collaboration and adaptability drive performance.
3. Conduct weekly internal check-ins: These meetings help align goals, identify resource gaps, and ensure consistent team progress.
4. Prioritize mentorship for new advocates: Mentorship accelerates learning and strengthens engagement by transferring institutional knowledge and building confidence.
5. Focus on education, not confrontation, in policymaker meetings: Constructive communication improves receptivity and keeps relationships open for future influence.

Sponsor for this episode...

This episode is brought to you by the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, or NAIFA, the #1 association for producers in financial services. 

At NAIFA, we enhance professional skills, promote ethical conduct, and advocate for legislative and regulatory environments.

By joining NAIFA, you gain access to a partnership that elevates your performance while providing greater purpose to your professional work. NAIFA members are happier, make more money, and stay in the business longer.

Get in touch with NAIFA and learn more about how to join NAIFA by visiting NAIFA.org.