Recognized Social Security Leaders 2025

Since 1987, Ilene has delivered investment literacy and retirement education that empowers individuals to understand, navigate, and take control of their financial future. She spent more than 25 years as a financial advisor, building her practice through her signature seminar series, “Women and Their Money.” Ilene is also an award-winning speaker on the MyCPE One platform, where she has been recognized as the top financial and top retirement educator for three consecutive years. As CEO and founder of DSS Consulting, Ilene provides professional guidance to pre-retirees and retirees through coaching and video-on-demand e-learning. Ilene is also a subject-matter expert on the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and speaks to civil-service employees across the federal agency spectrum. In addition to programs at private companies, Ms. Slatko has been a speaker at conferences, including the Army Materiel Command Women’s Financial Day, Delaware Women’s Conference, and numerous youth financial literacy programs. She has been the Director of Training for companies in both the financial and real estate fields. Ms. Slatko is a regular columnist for Rethinking65, an online publication for advisors and their over-65 clients. She is currently working on a book entitled “Sustainable Retirement”. Ilene is an alumna of Marietta College, where she studied Drama, Speech, and English.

Will Lane is a seasoned financial expert with over 20 years of experience across the financial sectors of banking, investments and insurance. He leads educational workshops across the country focused on helping Black families build, protect, and pass down generational wealth. Specializing in retirement planning, estate planning strategies and life insurance, Will is known for his ability to make complex financial concepts practical, relatable, and easy to understand. His work centers on empowering families with the knowledge needed to move from short-term financial planning to long-term financial security. Will has been featured in national publications such as Yahoo Finance, Business Insider, and American Business Stars, where he shares insights on the importance of financial literacy, legacy planning, and closing the racial wealth gap. A key aspect of his approach is helping individuals identify and overcome self-sabotaging financial patterns so they can make confident decisions about protecting their families, preparing for retirement, and leaving a lasting legacy. Through his education-first approach and no-nonsense delivery, Will has become a trusted voice for podcasts, panels, and publications focused on financial education, wealth building, and economic empowerment within the Black community.

I'm passionate about helping families build generational wealth through strategic retirement planning. As a retirement income strategist, I specialize in self-directed retirement solutions that give people more control over their financial future. My approach is pretty straightforward - I believe everyone deserves access to the financial strategies that the wealthy have been using for generations. I focus on showing clients how to leverage their existing assets, whether that's an old 401(k), home equity, or other resources, to create multiple streams of retirement income. What really drives me is seeing families break free from traditional financial limitations. I love educating people about options they didn't even know existed, like self-directed 401(k)s and velocity banking strategies. It's amazing to watch someone's eyes light up when they realize they have more control over their financial destiny than they thought. I take pride in sitting on the same side of the table as my clients - their success is my success. Whether we're mapping out a debt elimination strategy or creating a retirement income plan, my goal is to empower people with the knowledge and tools they need to build lasting wealth.

Elizabeth Gavino, Medicare Strategist Lewin & Gavino Inc. | Medicare Transition Partners Elizabeth Gavino is a Medicare Strategist with 30 years of experience helping high-net-worth individuals, executives, and employers navigate Medicare transitions before they become costly, irreversible mistakes. She is the founder of Medicare Transition Partners and the creator of the CMTA (Certified Medicare Transition Advisor) credentialing program — the first professional credential designed to train advisors on Medicare transition strategy. Elizabeth has been cited as a Medicare expert source in over 100 articles for CNBC and CNN. She specializes in Medicare strategy and planning, IRMAA and income planning, retirement healthcare costs, and employer Medicare transitions. Based in La Jolla, California.

Peter Reagan is a respected financial strategist at Birch Gold Group with more than 15 years of experience in the precious metals market. His market commentary has been featured in outlets including Newsmax, ZeroHedge, and GoBankingRates. At Birch Gold Group, he helps investors understand how gold and other precious metals can strengthen long-term financial security. His clear guidance and commitment to education have made him a trusted voice in an evolving economic landscape. Known for his practical approach and genuine commitment to investors’ success, Peter makes financial concepts feel accessible and empowering. He brings clarity to uncertainty, helping people make confident decisions about their future. Whether sharing insights in the media or supporting clients one-on-one, he remains focused on education, integrity, and building lasting trust with those he serves.

Dr. Trudy Beerman is a Doctor of Strategic Leadership, researcher, author, and media entrepreneur dedicated to advancing expert visibility in the digital age. At 50+ years old, she brings the authority of lived experience to her mission of guiding mature experts who want recognition, respect, and revenue for their mastery. Founder of PSI TV, Dr. Beerman, is pioneering the use of internet-connected television as a stage for thought leaders and business owners who are often overlooked in crowded digital spaces. She also created the REACHology AI Scoring System, a proprietary tool that measures an expert’s influence across five pillars: credentials, experience, publications, following, and digital footprint. She is the author of several books, including the Amazon bestseller REACHology™: The Science and Study of Influential Reach, which equips professionals to measure and expand their reach in today’s media-driven economy. Her books and research offer practical strategies that help experts bridge the gap between mastery and recognition. Her doctoral research focused on leadership competence and business success, using a case study of Florida-based coaching firms. This work combines academic rigor with real-world application, offering insights into how leadership effectiveness drives measurable growth. She applies these findings daily in helping experts with 45+ years of experience strengthen their authority and digital presence. With more than three decades of entrepreneurial experience, Dr. Beerman has hosted hundreds of interviews with subject-matter experts on PSI TV, distributed across Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, VIDAA TV, YouTube, podcasts, and social platforms. Her work ensures that experts gain exposure while creating enduring digital assets that continue to establish and build their authority. Featured in AP News, NBC & ABC affiliates (including WFLA Tampa and WPIX New York), and Business Journal Florida. She is also the architect of Nom de Valeur, a personal branding ecosystem helping professionals move from invisible to unforgettable. Her expertise spans media strategy, branding, leadership, and the evolving intersection of technology and influence. As “The REACHologist™,” Dr. Beerman combines the insight of a scholar with the execution of a media strategist, making her a compelling voice for outlets seeking commentary on leadership, branding, influence, and the future of media.

Pastor Troy B. Jackson, PhD, is a Faith-Based Leadership Strategist, author, trainer, pastor, and constitutional advocate who equips leaders to stand with conviction in the church, the community, and the public square. He serves as Biblical Citizenship Pastor at DFW New Beginnings Church and is the Founder and Chief Strategist of Thrive Life Builders, where he develops training, leadership resources, civic education programs, and faith-based initiatives that strengthen families, churches, communities, and citizen leaders. With a background in ministry, political strategy, public safety, law enforcement, physical security, leadership development, and grassroots training, Dr. Jackson brings a rare blend of biblical worldview, constitutional understanding, practical strategy, and real-world experience. He teaches on faith, family, liberty, civic responsibility, leadership, discipleship, public engagement, and the role of believers in shaping culture with wisdom, courage, and conviction. Dr. Jackson is available for expert commentary, podcast interviews, articles, panels, and speaking opportunities related to biblical citizenship, faith and government, leadership development, church engagement, constitutional values, community safety, grassroots organization, and the intersection of morality, culture, and public life.

Nick is a fee-only financial planner and founder of ClearMind Capital, where he works with individuals and families navigating major life and financial transitions. He has spent 8+ years in the financial planning profession, advising clients on retirement planning, tax strategy, investment design, and long-term decision-making. Nick earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation in April 2023 and also holds the ChFC® and CLU® designations. He is a founding member of the Integrative Wealth Advisor (IWA®) designation, a newly launched professional standard focused on aligning financial planning with broader life priorities and well-being. He is frequently sought out for his ability to explain nuanced financial topics...such as retirement readiness, Social Security planning, portfolio construction, and the behavioral side of money—in a way that is clear, grounded, and accessible. Nick brings real-world context and thoughtful perspective to personal finance, making him a trusted resource for journalists seeking clarity, insight, and meaningful analysis.

Solay Rad is a retired millionaire celebrity financial advisor from Beverly Hills and the founder of Men of Means, a cutting-edge, science-backed training academy for financial advisor men who are ready to supercharge their sales, scale their firms, and expand their impact by becoming more conscious leaders through healthy masculinity and personal development. Think James Bond meets Buddha. Through Men of Means, Solay teaches men how to supercharge their influence, deepen client trust, and lead with emotional intelligence at home and at work. His work blends human psychology, emotional mastery, and business performance to help financial advisor men become the kind of leaders clients trust, teams follow, and firms are built around. Solay has held multiple financial licenses and designations, including previously holding the CFP® designation. He has written for The Wall Street Journal, taught at UCLA, and mentored hundreds of men in leadership, performance, and personal transformation.

Jeff Batson is the principal of Goat Planning, a retirement-focused financial planning practice, and the author of Don’t Run Out: A Practical Guide to Tax-Smart Retirement Income, Social Security, and Medicare. He holds the Registered Financial Consultant® (RFC®) designation and is a licensed and insured financial advisor authorized to discuss life insurance products, Medicare, long-term care planning, Social Security strategy, and fixed annuities, holding licenses across multiple states (national producer number 19629974). His academic background includes a Bachelor of Science from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). Before his career in financial planning, Jeff served as a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy. He remains active in veteran and civic life as commander of his local VFW post, and he holds the rank of 32nd-degree Freemason. He is Anglican by faith. On the personal side, Jeff has been married for 38 years and is both a father and a grandfather. His interests are wide-ranging: sailing (despite not currently owning a boat), visiting family who live overseas, hiking, ice hockey, motorsports, cooking, motorcycles, and an ongoing list of yard and home projects.

Damon Paull, AWMA® - Financial Advisor, Best-Selling Author, Military Veteran As a wealth management advisor and Amazon best-selling author in Money and Business, Damon Paull brings a military precision to financial journalism. His recent collaboration with former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss on "Empathetic Leadership" shows he can take complex financial concepts and turn them into stories that resonate with everyone. With over 8 years of industry experience and a background as a Marine Corps veteran and State Department contractor, Damon writes about: • Intergenerational wealth transfer • Corporate benefit plan optimization • Investment portfolio construction • Business succession planning • Veteran financial empowerment • Global market analysis through a geopolitical lens As a Wealth Management Advisor at Cetera Investors, Damon’s expertise goes beyond traditional financial planning. He uses cutting-edge financial technology and analysis tools to bring you fresh perspectives on emerging trends and investment opportunities. His writing style is data-driven with a storyline, making complex financial concepts accessible to sophisticated investors and general audiences. Regular contributor to discussions on wealth preservation, market dynamics and financial technology. Damon welcomes opportunities to provide professional commentary and in-depth analysis for financial publications looking for expert opinions on wealth management and investment strategies. For editorial inquiries or commentary: Damon Paull, AWMA Damon.Paull@ceterainvestors.com 804.270.2765 Glen Allen, VA Available for national and international commentary Cetera Investors is a marketing name of Cetera Investment Services. Securities and Insurance Products offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. 140 EASTSHORE DR. SUITE 105, GLEN ALLEN, VA 23059. 804-346-4670. The opinions expressed are those of the writer, not recommendations of Cetera Investment Services LLC or its representatives. www.EagleVisionWealthManagement.com www.EagleVisionAccounting.com

I'm an experienced CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER who specializes in creating generational wealth building plans for educators, public employees, and non-profits by providing expertise in public pension planning and 403(b) management.I also currently serve as the chapter president of the Financial Planning Association (FPA) of San Gabriel Valley. Message me if you are interested in learning more about our great chapter!Cetera Investors is a marketing name of Cetera Investment Services. Securities and Insurance Products are offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFG STC Insurance Agency LLC CA insurance license # 0A96522), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC.

I’m Theresa White, a Career Clarity Expert and 5x Certified Career Coach dedicated to helping professionals find purpose and direction in their careers. With a background in HR and a deep commitment to empowering others, I’ve guided hundreds of professionals to uncover fulfilling and impactful career paths. My work is more than just career coaching; I’m a clarity strategist, known for using my unique insights and proven methods to unlock the potential within my clients. Through my proprietary Career Clarity Formula, I deliver rapid, transformative results for clients who are tired of feeling stuck and uncertain about their professional futures. My approach combines practical tools, like the Sparketype® Assessment, with research-backed techniques to help people uncover their true strengths and aspirations. These “aha moments” are the core of my work, and they’re what allow my clients to move forward with confidence, clarity, and purpose. Through y program, I've transformed career coaching into a results-driven journey that brings clarity and purpose, while reducing the time traditionally spent on finding direction. This approach has empowered my clients to find careers they love, often with improvements in income, work-life balance, and overall satisfaction. As a leading voice in career clarity and career change, my work has been recognized by clients and industry leaders alike. I’ve seen firsthand the transformative effect that career clarity can have, especially for professionals in corporate roles who feel disconnected from their work. Helping them achieve a renewed sense of purpose and motivation has become a central focus of my work, and it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of what I do. If you’re a journalist covering career development, employee engagement, or women’s professional empowerment, my perspective might be of interest to your audience. I’m passionate about reshaping the field of career coaching with actionable, purpose-driven strategies that tap into people’s potential. Through my programs, speaking engagements, and client success stories, I’m redefining career clarity as a pathway to true fulfillment, purpose, and long-lasting success. I would be honored to share my insights and success stories with your audience, offering a fresh take on how people can achieve meaningful, sustainable career change.

International bestselling author Jay Samit, is a dynamic entrepreneur and intrepreneur who is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on disruption and innovation. Described by Wired magazine as “having the coolest job in the industry,” he raises hundreds of millions of dollars for startups, transforms Fortune 500 firms, revamps government institutions, and for three decades continues to be at the forefront of global trends. Everyone from the Pope to the President calls on Samit to orchestrate positive change in this era of endless innovation. A former NASDAQ company CEO and Independent Vice Chairman of Deloitte, Samit helped grow pre-IPO companies such as LinkedIn, held senior management roles at EMI, Sony and Universal Studios, pioneered breakthrough advancements in artificial intelligence, robotics, ecommerce, social media, data analytics, mobile, and digital music that are used by billions of consumers every day. Combining innovation with commercial success, Samit is the consummate dealmaker; his list of partners and associates reads like a who’s who list of innovators, including: Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Steve Jobs, Reid Hoffman, David Geffen, Richard Branson, Paul Allen, and Pierre Omidyar. A proven trend spotter, Samit accurately predicts the future because he is constantly working with those who create it. Samit is author of The Second Act Advantage, Future Proofing You, and Disrupt You! (published in twelve languages). See Wikipedia for full bio. My new book, The Second Act Advantage, focuses on redefining retirement. Unleash Your Greatest Chapter Yet. Purpose, Prosperity, and Longevity Await The Second Act Advantage shatters the outdated retirement myth and reveals how to turn your post-career years into your most productive, profitable, and purpose-filled decades. Perfect for fans of Outlive by Peter Attia and From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks, this revolutionary guide proves your best years aren't behind you—they're just beginning. International bestselling author Jay Samit challenges everything you've been told about retirement and delivers the essential guide to thriving in life’s most rewarding stage. Drawing from cutting-edge science, inspiring real-life stories, and actionable strategies, this book flips the script on retirement and reinvention. While others settle for golf and grandkid visits, you'll discover how artificial intelligence, social media platforms, and emerging technologies have created unprecedented opportunities for intellectual stimulation and entrepreneurial success after 50. What you'll learn: Master AI as your business partner: Use ChatGPT, automation tools, and smart home technology to launch profitable ventures with zero employees Monetize your lifetime of wisdom: Transform decades of experience into consulting empires, online courses, and social media influence that generates passive income Leverage the "senior startup advantage": Discover why entrepreneurs over 50 are 3x more likely to succeed than twenty-somethings and how your networks become your net worth Build a global digital lifestyle: Use geoarbitrage and remote work technologies to live richly anywhere in the world while running your empire from a laptop Drawing from stories of late-blooming entrepreneurs like Anne Beiler, who built Auntie Anne's Pretzels empire at 65, and Dolly Parton, who launched her global Imagination Library at 50, Samit reveals why your extensive networks, financial stability, and hard-won expertise, coupled with new technologies and opportunities, create an unbeatable advantage. Technology hasn't made you obsolete; it's made you unstoppable. Your second act isn't about managing decline; it's about asking: What will the world gain because I finally had time to do it?

Ashley Smith is an AI Visibility Strategist, speaker, podcast host, and founder of Show Your Proof. She specializes in helping seasoned professionals, fractional executives, and legacy industry leaders (with a particular emphasis on the real estate sector) bridge their real-world reputations into the modern era of AI-powered search. As the developer of "The Proof Gap" concept and the P.R.O.O.F. framework, Ashley’s work explores a critical shift in the current business landscape: how Google’s new AI search engines, LLMs, and conversational AI answer engines are silently rewriting the rules of client trust, digital visibility, and traditional word-of-mouth referrals. Backed by nearly two decades of leadership and governance experience inside relationship-driven industries, Ashley is a Top Forty Under 40 award recipient and served as the youngest Board Chair and lead media spokesperson in her metropolitan real estate board’s 100-year history, representing over 14,000 professionals. She uniquely understands how highly skilled leaders can accidentally become "invisible to the algorithm" and provides non-technical, highly actionable frameworks to ensure offline prestige is properly indexed, cited, and recommended by modern search platforms. As an experienced public speaker, frequent media guest, and author of the popular "Show Your Proof" newsletter on LinkedIn, Ashley is highly comfortable delivering high-energy, zero-fluff commentary on tight deadlines. Core Media Topics & Angles: - The Proof Gap: Why decades of real-world executive experience read as an "empty room" to AI search engines, and how to fix it. - The New Era of Google Search: Moving past old SEO keyword hacking to structure real authority for AI-driven answer engines. - The Future of Trust & Referrals: How consumer behavior is changing as buyers ask AI assistants for direct recommendations instead of scrolling through traditional web links. - Real Estate & Technology: The evolving intersection of modern visibility, industry trends, and professional reputation. - Minimum Viable Proof (MVP): Why leading professionals don't have to become content creators to prove they are the trusted expert.

We are an independent, fee-only wealth management firm. We utilize a holistic approach to investment management and retirement planning. This approach allows us to eliminate potential conflicts of interest that may arise which provides objective, unbiased financial guidance based strictly on the needs, values, risk tolerance, and goals of each client. Scott's blog at www.commonfnancialsense.com has been featured on FoxBusiness.com, ETFtrends.com, Yahoo Finance, Investopedia.com, Nasdaq.com, and Advisorpedia.com. He hopes to bring a little Common Sense to a Complicated Financial Landscape.Investment Advisory Services offered through Global Retirement Partners, LLC dba Connor & Gallagher OneSource, an SEC registered investment advisor.

Garrett is the founder of CheatCode Wealth, a platform that empowers employees to build wealth by sharing practical, under-the-radar knowledge to level the playing field while ruthlessly protecting their time and life priorities.

Ray Johnson is a retired FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge, attorney, and educator whose career spans the courtroom, the classroom, and the command post. Over nearly 30 years in state and federal law enforcement, he has led complex criminal investigations, commanded SWAT operations, overseen national shooting‑incident reviews, and managed critical incidents and mass‑casualty events across the United States. Johnson is a veteran member of the Southern Nevada law enforcement community, with deep senior‑level experience coordinating federal, state, and local responses to both crises and major planned events. He has delivered high‑impact training on active shooter behavior, ethics, and leadership to thousands of public‑safety leaders and is frequently called in after major incidents to help agencies navigate culture, accountability, and public trust. As Division Counsel in multiple FBI field offices, Johnson provided legal oversight on investigations, ethics, and compliance and helped shape the FBI’s Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide. Internationally, he has mediated between Ukrainian anti‑corruption agencies and advised on governance and rule‑of‑law issues during Operation Enduring Freedom, earning recognition from the U.S. Ambassador for advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives. Now an adjunct faculty member at UNLV’s Boyd School of Law, he focuses on how law, leadership, and policy perform under real‑world pressure. His research and writing center on use of force, investigative accountability, organizational ethics, and the intersection of policing, immigration, and civil rights. He regularly helps journalists and the public make sense of complex law‑enforcement issues. He is coauthoring two forthcoming Criminal Investigation and Criminology texts as well as a companion leadership playbook for front‑line leaders working in high‑pressure, high‑visibility environments. Johnson’s honors include multiple high‑level executive leadership awards from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, as well as recognition from U.S. diplomatic leadership for international anti‑corruption work. He continues to consult with courts, law‑enforcement agencies, and organizations on use of force, crisis leadership, and organizational culture under scrutiny.

Derrick Schuler is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional with Schuler Wealth Planning located in Columbus, OH. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry and has worked for several large financial firms throughout his career. He helps clients retire comfortably with confidence. As a fee-only, fiduciary CFP®, he offers traditional ongoing financial planning services for a flat fee, or one-time plans for those that don’t want to transfer assets or pay ongoing fees.

Michael Ryan is the founder of MichaelRyanMoney.com and a former financial planner specializing in retirement planning, Roth IRA strategies, taxes, estate planning, and personal finance education. He helps journalists break down complex money topics into clear, practical, reader friendly commentary. Covering retirement income decisions, Roth conversions, Social Security timing, capital gains taxes, wealth transfer, and the real-world money mistakes people make when planning for retirement. Michael is known for giving concise, quotable insights that translate technical financial concepts into language everyday readers actually understand and can use. Learn More About Michael Ryan Here: michaelryanmoney.com/about-me/