2025 Immersion August
About this Program: Virtual Ameritas Immersion
The virtual Ameritas Immersion school provides 12 hours of live, online instruction blended with self-directed exercises and virtual engagement. This program is designed to provide clarity on Ameritas processes, resources, and support. Many learning moments are customized to meet your needs and provide highly interactive content. The intent is for you to actively participate in every session as each course builds on the previous. You will not only feel like you are part of the learning process, but you will leave this school knowing you are part of the Ameritas family.
Program Requirements
Interactivity & Attendance Policy
After some of the live sessions, you will have materials to review to prepare yourself for the next session. Set aside time to review these and bring any questions you have to the next session.
A large part of learning will come from thinking about and discussing new concepts. Please come prepared to engage with your learner group and do not hesitate to ask questions.
You are expected to attend ALL online sessions of virtual Ameritas Immersion. Because elements of virtual Ameritas Immersion involve working in teams, any absence by a participant will negatively impact the team’s ability to maintain the desired learning environment and interaction among team members.
If you anticipate not being able to attend a session for any reason, you must immediately contact the virtual Ameritas Immersion coordinator, who will determine appropriate measures to resolve the absence. Please note that an absence from any session for any reason may result in forfeiture of your seat in the class. Please note, the fee of $99.00 for the school will be reimbursed in full to anyone completing at least 5 of the 6 sessions for our school.
Program Success
- To ensure that you do not have any technical issues and are ready for a great experience, early log in (5-10 mins early) is requested, especially on the first day of school.
- Logging in from a computer or laptop is requested; cell phones are not compatible with all the interactive features we will be using throughout the school.
- For best audio results, use a separate telephone connection, not your computer’s audio system, to hear and speak during the school. Speakerphone is not ideal; you must use a headset with microphone.
- We use the WebEx application for this school. If you do not typically use this software, please download the app and set up an account to eliminate log in issues on the first day of school.
- Block off on your calendar or planner with the scheduled dates and times for virtual Ameritas Immersion.
- Ensure that you have access to a reliable high-speed internet connection and a working computer.
- Review the course outline and begin formulating questions you’d like to ask for each session. This is an interactive class and participation is expected.
DAY 1: August 12 – 11 a.m. ET
Welcome and Hear from your Peer
This first session will welcome you to this school and also to the Ameritas Family! We will hear from one of your peers about their experience with Ameritas through the years.
Facilitator: Amanda Tetzlaff, Sales Training and Education Manager
Presenter: Chris Vaccaro, Capstone Financial
Your Why: Sharing what matters most
In this breakout session, the spotlight is on you. Guided by our Transition Consultants, you’ll have the opportunity to reflect on and share your own story. Connect with peers, uncover shared experiences, and start envisioning your next chapter with greater clarity.
Facilitators: Becky Haase, Manager, Transition and Onboarding
Kathleen Mijland, Lead Transition Consultant
Kendra Orth, Lead Transition Consultant
Holly Woods, Lead Transition Consultant
BREAK –
Resources and Rich History
We will watch a brief video on the history of Ameritas and then we will be joined by department leaders of your home office resource teams. You will hear about the value their teams provide and how you can best use them!
Presenters: Jacob Messick, Director, Advanced Planning
Darin Dauel, 2VP, Business Development
Katie Cook, Internal Sales Manager
Beth Goldsmith, 2VP, Practice Management and Development
Wrap Up –
This time will be used to wrap up our day and get you prepared for what’s coming next!
Facilitator: Amanda Tetzlaff, Sales Training and Education Manager
DAY 2: August 14 – 11 a.m. ET
Life and DI Product Round Robin
This session provides a high-level overview of our life and disability income insurance products. You will hear how our wide product suite can meet the varying needs of your clients as well as standout features in the industry.
Presenters: Kristi Buresh, Senior Internal Wholesaler
Todd Goens, Regional Sales Manager
BREAK –
Annuities Overview
In this session, you will receive an overview of the Ameritas annuity products and their unique features and available options.
Presenter: Cindi Laing, Internal Wholesaler
Running an Illustration
This learning session will guide you through the basics of running an illustration in our online portal, Producer Workbench.
Presenter: Truc Nguyen, Internal Wholesaler
eApply Entry and Submission
This interactive session will show you how to take your created illustrations and place them into our electronic application system, eApply for submission to new business!
Presenter: Robbi McLain, Internal Wholesaler
DAY 3: August 19 – 11 a.m. ET
The Power of Mutuality and our Products
Kelly will kick off this day of learning by sharing the power of mutuality and our products at Ameritas.
Presenter: Kelly Halverson, SVP, Chief Actuary and Underwriting
DAY 3: August 19 – 11 a.m. ET (continued)
Underwriting Best Practices
This session will help make the underwriting process accessible and easy. The focus will be on best practices, underwriting programs, and how the underwriting department can work with you.
Presenters: Keith Beckman, Managing Director, Individual Life Underwriting
Paul Zimmerman, Vice President and Chief Individual Underwriting Officer, DI Underwriting
BREAK –
New Business Top Tips
This interactive session will shed light on the new business process, tips for accuracy and efficiency as well as explore the different application types.
Presenter: Carrie Symon, Manager, New Business
DAY 4: August 21 – 11 a.m. ET
Practice Management
This session will highlight how the practice management team can play a role in supporting your practice. We will review the six primary areas of consultation along with the valuable resources available to you. This team is here to help you grow your business, build a profitable practice, and deliver an amazing client experience. Working with you ON your business, not IN it.
Presenter: Jason Torske, Practice Management Consultant
Prospecting and Marketing Spotlight
A well-defined prospecting and marketing strategy helps you acquire new clients, stay in front of existing clients, and maintain a steady stream of revenue to grow your business. This session will highlight the tools and resources available to help develop your plan.
Presenter: Devon Brosnahan, Practice Management Consultant
BREAK –
In-person Conference Opportunities
In this session, we will go over what opportunities are available for conference attendance throughout the year.
Presenter: Jon Geier, Practice Management Consultant
DAY 4: August 21 – 11 a.m. ET (continued)
Practice Management Breakout session
Review the six primary areas of consultation available to you and share your practice management needs with your regional practice consultants.
Presenters: Devon Brosnahan, Practice Management Consultant
Jon Geier, Practice Management Consultant
Jason Torske, Practice Management Consultant
Investing in your Success
Your courses on your time. Take control of your learning with our learning management system, Ameritas EDU. We will explore this system as well as the many ways in which Ameritas provides for your continued education and growth, after school is complete.
Presenter: Amanda Tetzlaff, Sales Training and Education Manager
DAY 5: August 26 – 11 a.m. ET
Vision and Values
Hear from our senior leaders as they discuss the vision and values being brought to life through the Ameritas focus and value proposition.
Presenters: Senior Leadership – Jeff Graves, SVP, Agency and Advisor Distribution
Jeremy Robson, President, AIC and AAS
Spotlight on AIC, AAS and ALIC:
This breakout round will be a time for those affiliated with our broker-dealer, to learn about our transition support, technology platforms and affiliation options for our broker-dealer AND for those not affiliated with our broker-dealer to discuss best practices for onboarding to a new organization.
Facilitators: Gary Rialti, Wealth Management Services, Advisory Consultant
Kristen Sanders, Wealth Management Services Advisory Consultant
Becky Haase, Manager, Transition and Onboarding
Kathleen Mijland, Lead Transition Consultant
Kendra Orth, Lead Transition Consultant
Holly Woods, Lead Transition Consultant
BREAK –
Retirement Plans
Resources, options, and support galore. You can meet the financial needs of your client with the help from the Ameritas retirement plans division.
Presenter: Andrew Gunning, Director, Business Development, RP Business Development
Advanced Planning
The advanced planning team, with a wealth of experience, education, and excitement, has a unique level of support and strategies available to you and your clients. Experience what advanced planning means to Ameritas.
Presenter: Jacob Messick, Director, Advanced Planning
DAY 6: August 28 – 11 a.m. ET
Intro to Edu.Ameritas.com
Your courses on your time. Take control of your learning with our learning management system, Ameritas EDU. We will explore this system and show you how easy it is to enroll in courses and navigate your access.
Presenter: Jennifer Osterman, Lead Sales Training and Education Specialist
Exploring Our Custom Portal
This session will review our online agent portal, Producer Workbench. We will review the resources and technology tools available. You will leave this session feeling more confident and aware of all that Ameritas has to offer.
Presenter: Tara Borden, Lead Sales Training and Education Specialist
BREAK –
Sales Development Coffee Talk
This breakout session will allow you to spend intimate and valuable time with your dedicated internal wholesalers. During this breakout, you will discuss sessions from earlier in the school and ways you plan to implement this gained knowledge.
Facilitators: Kristi Buresh, Senior Internal Wholesaler
Cindi Laing, Internal Wholesaler
Robbi McLain, Internal Wholesaler
Truc Nguyen, Internal Wholesaler
Mark Oliver, Internal Wholesaler
Savonni Trujillo, Internal Wholesaler
From Insight to Action: Your Reflection & Next Steps
As we close our time together, we invite you to pause, reflect, and consider what you’ve gained from this experience. We’ll come together for an open share-out to celebrate what’s resonated most and what actions you plan to take moving forward.
Facilitator: Amanda Tetzlaff, Sales Training and Education Manager
Wrap up and Goodbye
In this final session of Virtual Ameritas Immersion, we will wrap up and say goodbye.
Facilitator: Amanda Tetzlaff, Sales Training and Education Manager
