Speakers and Sessions
In our post-Elevate survey...
89% of agencies rated the engagement of the breakout sessions an 8 or higher.
72% of agencies rated the relevancy of topics and discussions an 8 or higher.
90% of agencies said they plan to attend Elevate 2026.
Watch Elevate 2025 appear in the snap of a finger!
Different Means
No Longer the Same
Brandon Smith challenged Elevate attendees to think different. From youth sports to social media, he showed how creative, community-first strategies can turn everyday relationships into real revenue.
Michele Bicknell, Regional President for the Mid-South, helped set the tone for Elevate by welcoming partners, celebrating success, and keeping the energy high.
State VP Melanie Rachau (KY, IN) welcomed partners to her home state of Kentucky with energy and enthusiasm as co-emcee of Elevate 2025.
Real Life AI: Hear from a Peer
At Elevate 2025, agency leaders and innovators came together to share how artificial intelligence is transforming the way they do business. Moderated by Keystone’s CIO, John Williams, the panel featured Cy Young of Haven Insurance Partners, Caden Braly of Braly Insurance Group, Jeff Nosenzo, and Jessica Yarbrough of Johnson and Brown Insurance. Together, they shared how AI is reshaping everything from marketing and client service to operations and profitability, offering an honest look at what’s working, what’s not, and where the greatest opportunities lie for independent agencies ready to embrace the future.
Keystone’s VP of Marketing, Stu Kail, led The Art of Storytelling alongside Marc and Marcus Harris of Arnold Insurance, sharing how authentic stories can bring an agency’s brand to life.
State VPs Andrea Powell (MO, KS) and Kevin Shannon (NJ) led one of four Principals Only breakout sessions.
State VPs Sheldon Palefsky (GA, TN) and Joe Sacco (PA) led one of four Principals Only breakout sessions.
The Power of Partnership
On the main stage, Julie Webb of JMW Collective led an inspiring session about the real power of partnership. She encouraged leaders to look beyond “business as usual” and discover how collaboration can fuel growth, connection, and impact.
John Yurconic, President of the Yurconic Agency, joined the Partner Strategies for Winning and Keeping Business panel to share how strategic risk management can open doors to new opportunities.
The Leadership Fireside Chat
The Leadership Fireside Chat brought Keystone’s Executive Leadership Team to the main stage for an open and engaging conversation about the company’s vision and the future of the independent agency network. CEO Patrick Kinney, EVP of P&C Tom Delark, CLO Brian Hermes, CIO John Williams, and CSO Dan Girardi shared their perspectives on industry trends, innovation, and the opportunities that lie ahead, offering attendees a candid look at Keystone’s strategy for long-term growth and success.