The people who pick up the phone.

Ken Smith is the Founder and CEO of Assurance Ally, a boutique IMO designed for advisors and agents working in the Virtual Family Office model. With 30+ years in the industry and a career rooted in tax-efficient retirement planning, Ken helps advisors integrate insurance-based solutions into holistic, client-first strategies. After building a top 1% financial advisory practice and co-founding Elite Resource Team, Ken launched Assurance Ally to solve what most IMOs get wrong: impersonal support, lack of VFO experience, and inefficient product delivery.

His team offers 1:1 advisor relationships, deep product access, and turnkey support, making it easier for advisors to deliver value without adding to their workload. Ken lives in Tampa, FL with his wife and enjoys family time, church, and fitness.

Kevin Lisboa began his career in financial services in the insurance and wealth management space, where he earned Top Producer recognition and was awarded the highest client retention honor in his regional division in banking. Kevin joined Assurance Ally in 2026 as Advisor Success Manager, bringing a systems-thinking approach to supporting independent financial advisors within the Virtual Family Office model.

Kevin's focus at Assurance Ally centers on building frameworks that help advisors activate, engage, and grow. He is currently completing his MBA in Finance, where he has been named to the President's List, and holds certifications in FinTech, Financial Planning & Wealth Management, and Six Sigma. Outside of work, Kevin is an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author and has been featured as a Personal Finances Leader on WGN-Chicago and CMN-TV Michigan. He enjoys spending time with his Mom and is passionate about his faith, business, and the sport of boxing.

Seth Wasserman is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the insurance industry and has carved out a distinct niche by empowering advisors to boost revenue and expand their business through advanced case design. His diverse background across various disciplines has endowed him with unparalleled insight and expertise, enabling him to mastermind intricate and cutting-edge insurance designs.

Beyond his professional achievements, Seth has a rich personal life. A former collegiate football kicker, he knows the value of teamwork and determination. This has led Seth into the world of college football officiating, which keeps his Saturdays busy in the fall. Off the field, Seth finds joy in his role as a husband to Mara and as a father to Zach and Chloe, cherishing every moment with his family.

Eric Schultz brings over 24 years of expertise to the life insurance industry. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of the field, Eric excels at crafting innovative, client-focused solutions that consistently exceed expectations. His ability to listen, analyze, and design tailored strategies sets him apart as a trusted partner to advisors and clients alike.

Beyond the boardroom, Eric enjoys biking, playing golf, and creating memories with his wife Alisa and their three sons, Maveric, Keenan, and Braylon. He lives in Centennial, Colorado where family and community remain at the heart of his life.

Ashley Lupiani began her career in 2006 working at MetLife. In 2007, to further her insurance career, she moved cross-country from Connecticut to sunny San Diego, California. She spent nine years at LPL Financial, mainly focusing on Underwriting and Sales as an Advanced Case Consultant. Ashley joined Assurance Ally in 2016 and worked as the in-house Life Insurance Specialist.

Ashley's focus has been re-aligned with Assurance Ally with regard to life insurance consulting, case management, and agent contracting. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Tony, and Riggens, a Golden Mix. She also enjoys traveling, cycling, wine tasting, and cheering on her beloved New England Patriots.

Christi Horan began her career in 2009 after graduating from San Diego State University with a degree in Economics. She previously worked for firms such as Mass Mutual and LPL Financial in the Annuity Consulting and Sales department before joining Assurance Ally in 2018. Christi leads the Annuity Consulting and Case Management Team with over ten years of annuity sales experience.

Christi was born and raised in San Diego, CA, and enjoys traveling with her husband, spending time with her dogs, and all things beach related. Christi's focus within Assurance Ally is with regard to annuity consulting and case management.

John began his career in 1987 at MassMutual. His 22 years of home office underwriting experience included captive agent and brokerage markets, as well as 6 years of reinsurance underwriting.

In 2009, he moved over to the brokerage field side where he has advocated and consulted for several of the best BGAs, IMOs, and brokers in the industry. He is currently a member of the prestigious Risk Appraisal Forum. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and was a 4-year varsity baseball player, captaining the 1986 team.

He currently resides in the Charlotte, North Carolina area and in his free time enjoys exercising, following his beloved Red Sox, and attending Davidson Wildcats basketball games.

Sarah has worked with high-growth B2B companies in the financial services, fintech and healthtech spaces for nearly 20 years. She has helped grow bootstrapped companies from $0-20M in revenue, and her focus is creating consistent predictable quality demand that drives revenue at an efficient cost.

Sarah currently resides in South Florida with her family where she enjoys spending time outdoors at the beach and on the boat.