As we haltingly make our way into a new reality, it often feels like signs of progress are mirages. Every piece of positive news about our post-pandemic future seems to be closely followed by reasons for uncertainty and confusion. As COVID's many impacts continue to ripple through our industry, joining the many waves of disruption already faced by benefits professionals, the need for leadership and courage becomes more vital by the day.

BenefitsPRO editor-in-chief Paul Wilson

Our five 2022 Broker of the Year finalists represent the vanguard of benefits advisors leading the way into the future. While their backgrounds, strategies and approaches vary, they share a commitment to their clients and the employees they serve. Like so many of their peers across the country, they face change and uncertainty head on. I hope you enjoy getting to know them as much as we have. Josh Butler comes from a traditional background, but his innovative approach to benefits focuses heavily on reforming longstanding practices. "At my core, I just want things to be fair for people, and the status quo in health care is anything but fair and transparent." During her career, Kim Eckelbarger has spent a lot of time listening to others. But these days, you will often find benefits professionals turning to her for guidance as she works to help change the broken health care system. "If we don't, something or someone else will. And I'd rather be part of it than watch it happen." During her time as an oncology nurse, Elsa Glorioso experienced firsthand the life and death impacts health care has every day on people's lives. Although her role has changed to benefits advisor, her passion for serving others remains a driving force. "That's why I'm so passionate about what I do. Giving back to your community is so important." Whether Braden Monaco is spending time at his family-owned CrossFit gym or helping employers explore innovative benefits strategies, he remains committed to helping people understand the positive impacts of living and maintaining a healthy life. "The more we focus on educating people to live healthier lives, the easier the task will be to combat the ever-rising costs of care and insurance." Although Ami Shah's family left India when she was young, the culture continues to inform her life, her work and her dedication to business. The pandemic provided the latest opportunity to create meaningful change and serve her clients. "I want my clients to know I'm here for them, I don't care what the time is. If they need something, they know they can call me."

The 2022 Broker of the Year will be announced at the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo, May 23-25 in Austin, Texas. The winner will be further profiled in our June issue.

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