History & Alumni

“I met nine strangers and 48 hours later we were wonderful friends for life.”
– Terry M. Benway, LUTCF, Northwest Oklahoma AIFA, State Farm Agent

“I am most impressed with LILI and will always support it, treasure my experience with it, and recruit new members to be a part of it.”
– Karen G. Easterling, NAIFA-Austin, State Farm Agent

“Don’t stop providing LILI. Even after 33 years in the business, I still learned so many new things that they simply can’t be listed. Thank you for this leadership program!”
– Michael L. Crane, Northern Kentucky ALU, Southern Farm Bureau Agency Manager

LILI MARKS 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! 2000-2009

2009 marked a milestone for the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), NAIFA’s signature leadership development course. In 2000, the first classes were held in Texas and California. LILI has since grown to include 45 states and more than 1700 alumni. Its success is visible in the leadership ranks of NAIFA as graduates fulfill their service commitment and help LILI meet its mission of developing high-quality leaders for the entire federation.

1998: The Leadership Development Task Force (LDTF) chaired by 2009-10 President Tom Currey is appointed by 1998-99 President Larry Lambert to address the lack of qualified leaders to envision, plan and execute the objectives of the federation. The LDTF begins working on a leadership development curriculum to be administered by state associations, which becomes the foundation for the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI).
2000: The first LILI classes are held in TX and CA. 14 students complete the program.
2002-05: LILI evolves from regional institutes to state-sponsored institutes.
2006: LILI is held in a majority of states (35) for the first time and enrollment increases by more than 60% from the previous year. Nearly 300 students graduate.
2008: LILI introduces its enhanced moderator and student guides and new format for the LILI 7 Leadership Workshop at Convention.
2009: LILI Alumni Online, an online networking site designed exclusively for LILI grads, is launched.

In the 10 years since the first class was held, 235 institutes have been completed and more than 1700 students have successfully joined LILI alumni ranks.

LILI ALUMNI ONLINE – STAY CONNECTED!

Are you a LILI graduate interested in connecting with graduates from across the federation? Join LILI Alumni Online, a networking site designed exclusively for LILI grads. Connect with fellow grads, participate in discussion topics, view videos, and keep up to date with alumni opportunities. Click here to join.

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