Women in Insurance & Financial Services Announces 2013 Award Winners

ALBANY, NY (10/23/2013)(readMedia)-- Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS) recognized outstanding member achievements during their Annual Conference Awards Ceremony, held Friday, October 18th in St. Louis, MO. The following awards were presented:

2013 WOMAN OF THE YEAR

This is the highest level of recognition a WIFS member can receive from her peers. It honors an individual who has gone above and beyond to support WIFS and women in the insurance and financial services industry. The 2013 recipient is Daralee Barbera, Managing Principal at Waddell & Reed and incoming President for GAMA International. Daralee was also recently included on LifeHealthPRO's recently released list of "20 Women in Insurance You Need to Know".

Daralee is long-standing WIFS member, as well as a founding member of the WIFS Southern California Chapter, of which she remains an active participant. Daralee is an engaged participant and frequent conference speaker, and is involved in national initiatives. Daralee is also a member of GAMA International and has received the GAMA Diamond, Platinum and Gold International Management awards for Financial Planning. She is also a member of FPA, NAIFA, Woman in Film and Filmmakers Alliance. Daralee joined Waddell & Reed in 1982, and currently supervises fifty financial advisors in nine branch offices based out of Costa Mesa, CA.

MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Member of the Year Award recognizes consistent and ongoing commitment and contribution to WIFS at either a local level or national level. This year's winner is Nancy-Wolfe Smith.

Nancy Wolfe?Smith became a WIFS Member in 2004 / 2005. It didn't take her very long to jump in and get actively involved. From the beginning, it was evident she was a motivated, strong individual with a positive attitude and upbeat energy. She began her service on the Gold Coast Chapter Board as the Director of Membership in 2006. From there, she was nominated Vice President and served in this position consecutively in 2007 and 2008. She then accepted the President's position in 2009 and served for two years. She continued on the board as the immediate past president in 2011, guiding the new board through a successful year. To this day, she is a true past-president ? always there, willing to step in when needed, volunteering her time, expertise and advice to the board. She is always fully engaged.

ANGEL AWARD

The ANGEL award is given to both members and non-members of WIFS who have demonstrated attributes that have been instrumental to the success of peers. These attributes include: A – Assistance; N – Nurture; G – Guidance; E – Ethics; L – Leadership. This year's ANGEL Award recipient is Noni Baldwin.

Noni is described as someone who truly enjoys helping others and as an expert her field. She willingly shares her extensive knowledge and experience with peers and mentees, and is an active and engaged professional leader, as well as someone who gives of her time.She has been a WIFS member for 31 years and is a Past National President & Board Member.

CHAPTER OF THE YEAR

The Chapter that exceeds expectations and scores highest in membership, governance, planning programs and leadership is awarded Chapter of the Year. This year's recipient is the WIFS New York City Metro Chapter.

CHAPTER ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Of the 25 successful and thriving local WIFS Chapters, 8 chapters qualified for the 2013 Chapter Achievement Award, having met over 85% of the qualifying criteria. Recipients included Central Maryland, Florida Gold Coast, Indianapolis, New York City Metro, Northeast Florida, Portland Metro and South Florida.

INFINITY AWARD

The Circle of Excellence qualifier with the highest reported income is the honored recipient of the WIFS Infinity Award. This year's Infinity Award recipient is Ellie Mills.

Ellie's career achievements include: Background and Achievements: Chartered Life Underwriter, CLU, Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow, LUTCF, National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors, Chairman's Circle and Legion of Honor, Rotary Club of PCRPB, Former Life Insurance Representative with State Farm State Farm Insurance Agent since 2002.

About WIFS:

Headquartered in Albany, NY, WIFS is the preeminent professional organization for women in the financial services industry, dedicated to attracting capable women to the financial services sector, helping them develop their talents and has been advancing them toward their fullest potential for 77 years.

Over 1000 WIFS members receive benefits that include monthly webinars, online resources, local chapters in over 25 US markets, annual national events, professional education, member discounts, and corporate partnerships.

For more information about WIFS and upcoming programs, visit www.wifsnational.org or contact Deborah Duffy, Executive Director at 866.264.9437.