Advisory Council

Kathleen specializes in estate, business and executive benefits planning, and estate and executive compensation planning with life insurance.

Formerly, she was a member of the Advanced Markets Group of MetLife, where she provided training and advanced underwriting support for the top producers of MetLife and its subsidiaries. Prior to joining GenAmerica Financial (a MetLife company) in 1996, she was in private practice.

Kathleen graduated from St. Louis University with degrees in Accounting and Theatre. She received her law degree and LL.M. in Taxation from the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

She is licensed to practice in Missouri, Illinois, and Pennsylvania.

Andrew leads a group of credentialed individuals that specializes in placing estate, business, and retirement planning cases. His own expertise includes wealth preservation, estate planning, business planning, and executive benefits. He consults with insurance professionals and clients’ tax advisors when appropriate to facilitate sales opportunities.

Andrew is a frequent speaker and has authored articles in Life Insurance Selling, Senior Market Advisor, National Underwriter, AALU, and Journal of Financial Service Professionals. His speaking experience includes Forum 400, Clinic for Advanced Professionals, AALU and LIMRA Advanced Sales Forum. He is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Financial Service

April Caudill, JD, CLU, ChFC, AEP (Distinguished) is a Director of Advanced Solutions at Principal Financial Group, providing tax and legal support for advanced business and estate planning cases. The Principal Advanced Solutions team offers consulting services in the business market, including informal business valuations, buy-sell agreement reviews, business succession planning, key employee benefits, and estate planning for business owners and their key employees. Prior to joining Principal in 2015, April was an advanced planning attorney for two other major carriers, and was the managing editor of Tax Facts at the National Underwriter Company, where she worked for 19 years. She was the national president of the Society of Financial Service Professionals in 2012, and the recipient of its Kenneth Black, Jr. Leadership Award in 2014. April is a prolific author and three-time winner of the Ken Black Jr. Journal Author Award in 2002, 2018, and 2020. In 2024, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the National Association of Estate Planners and Councils (NAEPC).  April is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law and licensed to practice law in Ohio.

Martha Shedden, RSSA, CRPC  is President and Co-founder of the National Association of Registered Social Security Analysts, NARSSA, and is a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC). She began teaching online CPE/CE Social Security courses to finance and tax professionals in 2014. Recognizing the demand for retirees to obtain personalized Social Security guidance on their claiming decisions, Martha launched Shedden Social Security & Retirement Planning in 2015 to provide Social Security claiming analyses services. In 2017 Martha co-founded NARSSA with Michael Rosedale to provide an e-learning platform and software for retirement professionals to become educated and trained to help their clients

Mike McGlothlin, CLU, ChFC, CFP, LUTCF, NSSA is a team leader, retirement industry activist and disciple of Indiana Hoosier basketball. His decades of experience in the insurance business, dedication to lifelong learning and self-improvement, and a stint as a student manager under renowned Coach Bob Knight have shaped him into the leader he is today.  As executive vice president of retirement at Ash Brokerage, he and his team help financial planners provide income planning solutions focused on longevity and efficiency. He also provides guidance and assistance for advisors and broker-dealers navigating marketplace and regulatory changes. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Mike is a sought-after writer and speaker focused on helping advisors bring true value to their business.

Troy Branch, J.D., CLU, ChFC
2^nd Vice President, Advanced Planning
Ameritas Financial

Role: Consults with client advisors and insurance professionals.  He offers 15 years of advanced planning experience, where his specialties include nonqualified executive benefits planning, estate planning, wealth management and risk mitigation.

Designation/Licenses: J.D., Series 7 securities license

Education: Bachelor’s degree in history and Juris Doctor (J.D.) from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Experience: He started his career as a registered representative with an Ameritas agency and then went on to a role as a technical/advanced sales consultant with Assurity (previously Security Mutual Life).  As an advanced sales consultant, he built several training programs designed to increase sales, paying particular attention to the small business owner.

Speaking/Writing Experience: His speaking appearances include guest lecturing stints at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Texas Tech University.  He also has been honored to speak at the National Financial Planning Association (FPA) Conference and the Conference of African American Financial Professionals (CAAFP).

Industry Contribution: National board member, Society of Financial Service Professionals and board member, Society of Financial Service Professionals of Lincoln, Nebraska.  Chairperson, Professional Development Committee, National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).

Mathew Powers (Mat)
VP, Strategic Retirement Solutions
Commonwealth Financial Network

As a seasoned retirement and workplace strategy executive, Mat has over a decade of experience leading transformative initiatives that align vision with execution across the retirement and wealth management landscape. Mat’s leadership has consistently translated strategic priorities into scalable, compliant, and advisor-friendly solutions. He has led high-performing teams, fostered a culture of accountability, and collaborated cross-functionally to bring innovative retirement and fiduciary services to market, including the successful launch of pooled employer plans and targeted workplace offerings for underserved market segments.

Currently serving as Head of Strategic Retirement Solutions for Commonwealth Financial Network, Mat has been at the forefront of bridging retirement and wealth—pioneering the firm’s ‘Wealth Bridge’ initiative to connect plan participants with holistic wealth management guidance. His approach blends data-driven decision making with a deep understanding of regulatory complexity, helping organizations and advisors deliver better outcomes while evolving how retirement and wealth solutions are delivered in today’s workplace.