Kim Chapman Elected Chair of FINRA’s NAC: Impact on Compliance in Insurance
Kim Chapman has been elected as the chair of FINRA’s National Adjudicatory Council (NAC) for 2026. Currently serving as the chief compliance officer of Berthel Fisher and Co. Inc., a role she has held since 2020, Chapman brings over two decades of compliance experience across the financial services industry, including insurance and mutual funds. Her election marks a pivotal moment as she aims to leverage her expertise in regulatory compliance requirements to enhance NAC's enforcement actions.
The NAC is responsible for reviewing initial disciplinary decisions made by FINRA hearing panels, intervening in regulatory and disciplinary issues that are appealed or taken up by the NAC. Appointments to this council are made by FINRA's Board of Governors, reflecting the importance of maintaining regulatory compliance standards within the industry. Chapman expressed her commitment to delivering fair and consistent enforcement actions to protect the investing public.
Leadership Appointments in the Industry
Prosperity Life Group has strategically appointed Rona Guymon as the president of retail life and annuity. This role is pivotal in driving retail distribution and overseeing national accounts and marketing strategies. Reporting to CEO Michael Ferik, Guymon will draw on her extensive insurance industry experience, including her prior position as senior vice president of annuity distribution at Nationwide. She expressed her enthusiasm for her new role, highlighting Prosperity Life Group's potential for growth supported by robust product offerings and strategic backing from JAB Insurance.
Tripp Braillard has been appointed as the co-president of the Defined Contribution Real Estate Council (DCREC). In this capacity, Braillard will focus on promoting direct real estate investments within defined contribution retirement plans, facilitating education for plan sponsors and investment professionals. President of Clarion Partners, Josh Pristaw, praised Braillard’s extensive industry experience, noting his dedication to enhancing access to real estate investments for retirement savers. With over 30 years of expertise in real estate and retirement planning, Braillard is poised to foster further growth and innovation in risk management within the industry.
These leadership appointments underscore a period of dynamic changes across the insurance and financial services sectors, with a pronounced emphasis on compliance, distribution strategies, and investment education. As the industry navigates evolving regulatory landscapes, these leaders are poised to influence and shape the future of compliance, underwriting, and claims management.