Presidential Historian and Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author to Speak at LIMRA’s 2020 Virtual Annual Conference

WINDSOR, Conn., Aug. 26, 2020—As the United States and the world grapple with the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s “historian-in-chief” Doris Kearns Goodwin will reflect on our shared past to put into context this defining moment in our nation’s history at LIMRA’s 2020 Virtual Annual Conference, which will be held Oct. 26-28.

Doris Kearns Goodwin is a presidential historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times #1 best-selling author. Her seventh book, Leadership in Turbulent Times, was published in September 2018 to critical acclaim and became an instant New York Times bestseller. A culmination of Goodwin’s five-decade career of studying the American presidents, the book provides an accessible and essential road map for aspiring and established leaders.

“Having studied Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Baines Johnson, Doris has a unique perspective on how we can use the lessons learned from the past to shape our decision-making today. It will also be especially interesting to hear Doris speak to us just a few days before our next presidential election,” said Dave Levenson, president and CEO, LIMRA, LOMA and LL Global.

In her session, Goodwin will offer context for the turbulent times and show how today’s leaders can learn from the past.

Goodwin’s career as a presidential historian and author was inspired when, as a 24-year-old graduate student at Harvard, she was selected to join the White House Fellows. At the White House celebration of the newly chosen Fellows, she found herself sharing the dance floor with President Johnson. He told her he wanted her to be assigned directly to him in the White House. But it was not to be that simple. Like many young people, she had been active in the anti-Vietnam War movement and had co-authored an article that called for the removal of LBJ, published in the New Republic several days after the White House dance. Despite this, LBJ said, “Bring her down here for a year and if I can’t win her over, no one can.” She worked with Johnson in the White House and later assisted him in the writing of his memoirs.

Goodwin went on to write “Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream,” which became a national bestseller and achieved critical acclaim. It was re-released in spring 2019, highlighting LBJ’s accomplishments in domestic affairs.

Traditionally, the LIMRA Annual Conference has been one of the largest gatherings of executives representing all sectors of the financial services industry. Although virtual, this year will be no different. In addition to Goodwin, the agenda includes an executive panel, sessions on leadership through change, emerging technology, the impact of low interest rates and much more. Throughout the three-day event, there will be half-hour breaks to visit a virtual exhibit hall and network in chat lounges.

For more information on the conference and to register, please visit http://www.limra.com/annual/. Members of the press are welcome to attend the event at no cost. Please email media contacts below for more details.

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Serving the industry since 1916, LIMRA helps to advance the financial services industry by empowering nearly 700 financial services companies in 53 countries with knowledge, insights, connections, and solutions. Visit LIMRA at www.limra.com.