Jim Ruta is president of Advisorcraft Media, where he utilizes his experience as a successful advisor and executive manager to help insurance agents maximize their sales performance. He has spoken at multiple MDRT Annual Meetings, written four books and produced weekly Facebook Live videos since 2017, reinforcing his crusade to preserve, promote and propel the noble financial services profession.

Stephanie Scheller is a TEDx speaker, two-time bestselling author, award-winning entrepreneur and founder of Grow Disrupt, a company that designs and produces neuroscience-guided educational events for small business owners with ADHD. Scheller uses the violin to tap in to the human subconscious to break down the psychology behind business growth strategies and marketing techniques that simplify implementation and accelerate growth.

César Arturo Sepúlveda Garza, LUTCF, FSCP, is a wealth protection and risk management advisor who has dedicated his life to protecting people’s lifestyles.

Paresh B. Shah, CFP, has been a wealth strategist for the past 24 years, helping individuals and businesses across the U.S. create innovative financial strategies that protect for today and tomorrow. He specializes in pension and profit-sharing, asset protection, estate planning and business succession planning. His professionalism and community service have kept him active in the U.S. and India.

Masakazu Shigemori joined Sony Life Insurance Company in 2004. He specializes in providing financial services to dentists and believes his personality has helped establish him as a valued advisor for the high-net-worth market.

Jun Shimizu joined the financial services profession in 1980 and has become a sales expert. He has held key positions over the years, such as group head of sales and branch manager, and has built strong relationships with numerous clients. At his current company, Shimizu is leveraging his extensive experience and know-how through his engagement in corporate sales activities, primarily focusing on group insurance.

George B. Sigurdson, CLU, is president of Sigurdson Financial Group and Sigurdson Financial Benefits in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He has been in the financial services profession for more than 53 years and is the author of “In Search of Friends,” a handbook for new advisors.

Erika Silva Velasco, CLI, FSCP, received her credentials from The American College and has found reaching her goals provides the motivation she needs to keep improving within the financial services profession.

Pawel F. Skotnicki is the founder and first president of the Polish Association of Recommended Insurance Advisors. He has authored the book “Polak mądry przed szkodą” (“Smart Pole Before Harm”), is a columnist at Gazeta Ubezpieczeniowa and has created several e-books.

Chiung-Yu Su has 16 years of experience in financial services, becoming a life risk planner through information sharing, risk management and problem solving. Su continues to elevate his success by seeking referral opportunities in response to policy changes, applying interpersonal communication skills, conducting policy health checks for clients, consolidating client assets with empathy and maintaining the dignity of the elderly.

Tom E. Sunny, CFP, CLU, is an advisor with New York Life and the founder of Sunny Financial Strategies LLC based in the suburbs of Chicago IL, where he provides clients with optimal strategies and solutions to help them grow, protect and conserve their wealth through all stages of life. He has a protection first practice which is focused on comprehensive financial planning and wealth management. As a second-generation financial professional, Sunny grew up seeing his father provide insurance services for more than 25 years and the significant impact it made on the community. Now, he strives to establish personalized financial security for his clients that will last for generations.

José Sánchez Lopez, the former regional director of private banking in Mexico, achieved second place in Mexico in the sales of individual life insurance.

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Joseph Tan, ChFC, CLU, an advocate of the Whole Person concept, owns a business that specializes in providing comprehensive financial planning services for couples. Tan is a unique advisor in Singapore, as he enjoys sharing his thoughts on TV and radio about how financial planning pertains to love and marriage.

Aurora L. Tancock, FLMI, CFP, is president of Aurora Tancock Financial Services Inc. in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. With more than 30 years of experience in financial services, Tancock strives to help her clients understand and overcome complexity as they plan for their financial future. She is an active MDRT and MDRT Foundation member volunteer and sits on the Finance Committee for the St. Catharines Community Foundation.

Aurora L. Tancock, FLMI, CFP, is president of Aurora Tancock Financial Services Inc. in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. With more than 30 years of experience in financial services, Tancock strives to help her clients understand and overcome complexity as they plan for their financial future. She is an active MDRT and MDRT Foundation member volunteer and sits on the Finance Committee for the St. Catharines Community Foundation.

Mongkol Tangmannaikit is passionate about leading his team through a core-driven business approach that is simple yet efficient. Believing hard work and discipline lead to success, Tangmannaikit encourages his team to aim higher, achieve more and become empowered from the inside out .

Shusaku Tezuka has found success in a unique way — without cold calls, letter writing and client meetings. Yet, he has continued his weekly production for the past 16 years and believes his approach has led to stress-free days.

Pimlada Thanusakdumrong graduated from Burapha University with a bachelor's degree as a Japanese language major. She continued her studies at Yokohama International Education Academy in Japan for more than a year and a half. Ms. Thanusakdumrong, formerly a Japanese interpreter for Mitsubishi Electric’s Marketing Department, transitioned in 2010 to the financial services industry. Since 2012, she has focused her expertise on specialized marketing, adding to her skills in this field for over ten years.

Yohei Tomita joined Prudential Life of Japan in 2004 and was promoted in 2009 to sales manager, a role that taught him how to recruit, develop and manage a team. In 2013, he transitioned back to sales and currently specializes in inheritance/estate planning and business succession. Tomita is passionate about uncovering potential challenges clients may face and guiding them to solutions that are best for them.

Yohei Tomita joined Prudential Life of Japan in 2004 and was promoted in 2009 to sales manager, a role that taught him how to recruit, develop and manage a team. In 2013, he transitioned back to sales and currently specializes in inheritance/estate planning and business succession. Tomita is passionate about uncovering potential challenges clients may face and guiding them to solutions that are best for them.

Peggy Tsai, RFP, CCFP, is the 2024 Immediate Past President of MDRT. She is a Diamond Knight of the MDRT Foundation and a member of its Inner Circle Society. Tsai, an advisor with Shin Kong Life Insurance Co., has won the award for No. 1 sales achievement in her company for seven consecutive years. Tsai has held numerous volunteer leadership positions for MDRT, including Divisional Vice President of Membership Communications Committee (MCC) Division 2, MCC Region Chair and MCC Zone Chair. Tsai has also volunteered in several capacities for MDRT’s meetings and has presented at the MDRT Annual Meeting. In addition to her MDRT involvement, Tsai has spoken to numerous audiences of financial professionals and has contributed to industry publications in her region.

Ross Vanderwolf, CFP, of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, served as MDRT President in 2019. A Platinum Knight of the MDRT Foundation, he is also a member of its Inner Circle Society and has served on its Board of Trustees. Vanderwolf is managing director of Rothgard Financial Partners, a full-service financial planning practice. Over the course of his MDRT membership, Vanderwolf has served on numerous committees. He has been recognized as one of Australia’s Most Trusted Financial Advisers, since this designation’s inception in 2014.

Jazmin Eliana Vasquez has been a social communicator and risk manager for great economic impacts for more than a decade. She has studied at EUschool in Madrid and attends Hoopis Performance Network University. Vasquez has achieved first place for three years in the sales of wealth and family plans, keeping 100% of her clients in Colombia.

Arturo Viniegra Castellanos began his career as a professional insurance advisor in 2019 and has achieved many accolades for his success. He advises more than 500 clients on financial planning and is the host of the podcast “La Oveja Sin Lana” (“The Sheep Without Wool”).