NAIFA-Texas LILI

NAIFA-Texas Leadership in Life Institute (LILI)

In 1998, the Leadership Development Task Force was appointed by 1998-1999 NAIFA President, Larry Lambert to address the lack of qualified leaders to envision, plan and execute the objectives of the federation. The Task Force immediately began work on a leadership development curriculum to be administered by NAIFA state chapters. This curriculum grew into the program we now know as the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI).

The 1998-1999 NAIFA-Texas President, Thomas ‘Tom’ D. Currey, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, led as Chair of the Task Force and played a crucial role in the development of the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI). Tom joined NAIFA in 1980 and has been an integral part of the success of our association. He is a member of the NAIFA-Fort Worth Chapter. Tom went on to serve as NAIFA National President in 2009-2010. In 2024, 

In 2024, the NAIFA-Texas Awards Committee and Board of Directors rename a top leadership award after Tom, the Tom Currey Local Leader of the Year Award, which recognizes an advisor’s commitment to NAIFA by their service and leadership at the Local Chapter and/or Affiliate level and their positive impact on the insurance and financial services industry. 

The first recorded LILI was held in Texas in February 2000 and was led my Tom Currey. NAIFA-California followed suit with its first LILI later that same year. Fourteen students (7 from each state) were the first LILI graduates. As of 2025, NAIFA-Texas has successfully seen over 200 members complete LILI. 

The Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) is an intensive curriculum for personal growth, designed specifically to develop high-caliber association leaders. LILI is built upon the conviction that excellent leadership is most often derived from highly effective persons. Furthermore, the skills and techniques of leadership can be developed and enhanced in a persons effectiveness. The coursework is presented in six business-day long sessions over the course of a six-month period.