| Meet the Speakers:
Michayla Payne is the Business and Communications Manager at Heartlinks Grief Center, where she works to expand access to grief support and strengthen community awareness around loss. With several years of experience in the field of grief and bereavement, Michayla brings both professional expertise and personal insight to her work. After losing her partner at the age of 29 in a motorcycle accident, she developed a deep commitment to helping others navigate loss with compassion and understanding. Michayla earned her degree from the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) and is passionate about equipping professionals and communities with the tools to support those who are grieving.
Nikolaus (Nik) Skaer is a Growth and Development Director at Northwestern Mutual | Fairview Heights, where he has served as a trusted Financial Advisor since 2009. Over his career, Nik has successfully originated approximately 1,270 life, disability, and long-term care insurance policies while managing a steadily growing wealth portfolio for his clients. In addition to his Advisor role, Nik is actively building and mentoring a dynamic team of new advisors within his office, with the goal of transitioning to a Managing Director position in the next few years—a vision rooted in leadership, strategic growth, and giving back. A life-long resident of Freeburg, Illinois; Nik is married to Anna, and together they have two children, ages 12 and 19. When not focused on his clients and team, Nik enjoys spending weekends at his property, often on the seat of a tractor, or during the summer months sharing quality time with friends and family on his boat. An early adopter of artificial intelligence and innovative technologies, Nik continually embraces tools that streamline his practice and drive growth. (And yes—this bio was crafted with a little AI assistance!)
Sara Decatoire, CAE, IOM is an experienced association management professional with extensive experience in all aspects of association management. She began her career with the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Illinois over 30 years ago. In 2018, she partnered with fellow association executive Sandra Wulf to further develop Sandra’s association management company’s clientele base and assist in successfully providing superior management services through the creation of Pivot Management Professionals. Sara currently serves as the Executive Director for NAIFA IL.
Art Hayes is a former Agency Manager with COUNTRY Financial and has spent decades mentoring insurance professionals and helping advisors build successful, client-centered practices. Throughout his career, Art developed a reputation for leadership, relationship-building, and a strong commitment to professionalism within the insurance industry. He is passionate about sharing the timeless sales philosophies and leadership lessons that continue to guide successful advisors today. Darnall Jones is a former Agency Manager with COUNTRY Financial with extensive experience in sales leadership, advisor development, and insurance practice management. Over the course of his career, Darnall has mentored numerous insurance professionals and emphasized the importance of integrity, consistency, and client relationships as the foundation for long-term success. He continues to share practical insights and proven strategies that remain relevant in today’s evolving insurance marketplace. |
