Redefining Recruitment and Retention Amid “The Great Realignment"

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Alison Salka, Ph.D.

Alison Salka joined LIMRA in 2012 and led the member benefits and research division from April 2014 until April 2024. She was responsible for driving the strategy and direction of its global research program. As principal research consultant, she is focused on thought leadership designed to help companies better understand industry issues and trends. She is a frequent industry speaker and has testified before the Department of Labor. Before joining LIMRA, she worked at Prudential and MassMutual. She has a Master’s degree from the College of William and Mary and Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University.

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Judy Busby, MBA, MSMOB, PMP

Judy Busby is senior vice president and managing director for The Jacobson Group’s executive search practice. She manages C-level, board director, vice president and other executive-level searches for clients in the life, health, and property and casualty insurance markets. Judy delivers meaningful search and selection consulting, helping her clients access the leaders they need to drive their businesses forward. Her impressive career track record of organizational development and high-performance leadership also includes roles with publicly-traded companies, as well as running her own management consulting firm. Most recently, Judy served six years as the head of Jacobson’s executive search practice, providing leadership and strategic direction to the team.

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Jack Walsh

Jack Walsh brings nearly 20 years of experience in the life insurance industry to his position as Managing Director for The Jacobson Group’s executive search practice. In this role, he manages C-level, Vice President and other executive-level searches, helping life and benefits organizations access the leaders they need to drive their businesses forward.

His successful career culminates extensive experience with insurers and financial institutions, most recently serving as Vice President, Employee Benefits Consultant and Strategist for Arthur J. Gallagher. During his tenure, he leveraged his expertise in employee benefits consulting, strategy development and plan management to fulfill his clients’ needs. Jack also held a number of roles with Mass Mutual, where he increased client retention while simultaneously cultivating expertise in numerous insurance and investment products, including risk management planning. His impressive background also includes tenures with Northwestern Mutual, Colonial Life and Aflac. Jack’s proven leadership skills and capacious insurance background, coupled with his hands-on experience with senior-level recruitment, translate into meaningful
executive search and selection consulting for his insurance clients.

Continually sharing his valuable industry perspectives, Jack was a featured industry speaker with Hoopis Performance Network, a global provider in digital sales and leadership development learning solutions. Jack regularly presented on topics pertaining to insurance, investments, leadership, client retention and full cycle recruiting. In addition, he remains active in the insurance community through speaking engagements and participation in industry events, including those of the American Council of Life Insurers, Life
Insurance Marketing and Research Association, Life Office Management Association, and Society of Actuaries.

Jack has a Bachelor of Business Management from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. He also holds life and health insurance licenses in Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, New York, Texas and Wisconsin.