Chad Cooper Is NAIFA’s Diversity Champion

Chad Cooper, MBA, a Financial Advisor with Gateway Insurance & Financial Services in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized as NAIFA’s 2021 Diversity Champion. NAIFA created the Diversity Champion Award to recognize exceptional efforts to promote the full and equal participation of diverse people within the insurance and financial services profession.

Cooper becomes the fifth individual to receive this distinguished award. A loyal NAIFA member since 2018, Cooper was nominated by NAIFA-New Mexico Chapter Executive Lynda Turner. Turner stated, “Chad is always willing to step up to the plate as a volunteer or appointed committee member. He is a center of influence in the business community. We are proud to have him serve as NAIFANew Mexico’s 2022 President.”

Cooper began his career in financial services in Albuquerque in 2003, focusing his outreach and prospecting in the city’s relatively small African American community. He saw a need for financial literacy training and worked with his firm to develop a program of monthly seminars on the financial concerns of African Americans. Today, his clients include all segments of Albuquerque’s population, including members of its large Hispanic and Native American populations.

Currently the Vice-Chair of the Board of the African American Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce (AAGACC), Cooper helped found the organization and served on its first Board. He conducts a financial literacy program for lower-income residents through the AAGACC and a grant from the Kellogg Foundation.

Cooper has been very active with his alma mater, the University of New Mexico, and their diversity, equity and inclusion. He served as the University of New Mexico Alumni Association Board President in 2020 and led an effort to add to the national dialogue about racial justice and inclusivity through the association’s “Community Connector” series of vodcasts. Connie Beimer, Executive Director, UMN Alumni Association commented, “What’s most notable about Chad’s efforts is the ability and compassion he has to begin the racism discussions with our organization and take them beyond. He is so wellrespected, and his opinions and advice are sought out by others on how we continue to address these very important issues. We’re very fortunate to have him as a leader in our organization as well as our community and state.” As Board President, Cooper also led a campaign to revive and enhance the presence of the UNM Alumni Association Black Alumni Chapter.

Cooper reflects on the impact of Hurricane Katrina on his hometown of New Orleans as a tipping point on his desire to increase financial literacy. “For a week, I saw scores of Black people stranded in the streets with seemingly no one trying to help them. As I fought through the feelings of powerlessness in the wake of this tragedy, I coordinated with my firm to develop a financial literacy training program for African Americans. I provided monthly seminars, secured a room at a local community center and provided lunches.”

Always seeking ways to increase financial literacy for all Americans, Cooper was invited by the New Mexico State Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) to present on financial topics at the annual OAAA Black Expo. He was a financial literacy instructor at the STEM-based summer training program for middle and high school students sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories.

Congratulations, Chad, on being named NAIFA’s 2021 Diversity Champion. We are #NAIFAproud to call you one of our own.