Andrew Beers, Modern Woodmen of America

06/15/2026

Last Friday, our Modern Woodmen team traded the office for the golf course and spent the day enjoying some friendly competition at Legacy at Hastings Golf Club.

From scramble awards to longest drives, shortest drives, and a few laughs along the way, it was a great opportunity to step away from our day-to-day responsibilities and simply focus on having fun together.

Days like these are a great reminder that strong teams are built both inside and outside the office. Spending time together, enjoying the sunshine, and creating memories away from work helps strengthen the relationships that make our team so special.

I'm grateful to be part of a group that works hard, supports one another, and knows how to have a little fun. Looking forward to the next outing!

06/15/2026

06/11/2026

What is the point of being retired but doing nothing all day?" 🤔

Grace Braatz-Opper is redefining what it means to plan for the future. She loves working with her clients to balance both sides of the equation: securing their retirement income and designing their retirement lifestyle.

Don't just plan to retire—plan to enjoy it! This mindset Grace shares with her clients is valuable, and something everyone should remember.

06/10/2026

We all wish for more hours in the day, but what would you actually do with them?

For Grace, an extra hour means dedicated time for her favorite hobbies. She enjoys pickleball, biking, boating, and spending downtime with her husband.

Taking time for the things we love outside of work keeps us at our best. What would you do if you had a 25th hour in your day?

06/09/2026

Meet Financial Representative Grace Braatz-Opper!

Based out of our Lansing office, Grace is known for her unwavering positivity and her ability to be a "ray of sunshine" during both good and challenging times.

When she isn't working with clients, she’s practicing exactly what she preaches about enjoying life to the fullest. In the summer, you can find her up north in Charlevoix enjoying the outdoors, boating, biking, and spending quality time with her family.

Join us in celebrating Grace and the wonderful energy she brings to the Modern Woodmen team!

06/08/2026

May was an absolute whirlwind of milestones, growth, and celebration for the MWA family! We kicked off the month with some incredible personal and professional updates, starting with a massive congratulations to our financial representative, Kory Meade, on getting married! The celebrations didn't stop there, as we also got to blow out some candles for team birthdays and officially welcome Elizabeth Fettig to our Rockford office, alongside Julia Waltz as she begins her exciting new journey with us.

Driven by our commitment to growth, we hosted our very first Developmental School for our representatives and cheered on multiple team members who passed their industry tests, taking huge steps closer to their career goals. Adding to the excitement, we also celebrated the successful wrap-up of our 6-week internship program in May, waving goodbye to a fantastic group of rising professionals. True to our mission, we also made sure to show up for our community by connecting at the GRYP Nonprofit Fair and spending meaningful time walking through In the Image. We are incredibly proud of everything this team accomplished over the last few weeks, and we are ready to keep this amazing momentum rolling right into June! 🔥

06/05/2026

Last Friday, our associate and full-time representatives came together for a great day of training and collaboration. Opportunities like these allow us to learn from one another, strengthen our skills, and continue finding ways to better serve our members. Thankful to be part of a team that is always focused on growth and improvement.

06/04/2026

One question Chaz says he hears often is:
“How much will my financial plan cost?”

But in his eyes, the more important question is:
“What is the cost of waiting?”

It’s easy to put financial planning on the back burner or assume there is always more time to start later. However, delaying important conversations, avoiding planning altogether, or underestimating future needs can have a much greater impact in the long run than many people realize.

Chaz shared that more people should be asking themselves how their current habits, urgency, and preparation today could affect their future tomorrow.

Financial planning is not just about numbers — it’s about creating peace of mind, building confidence for the future, and making intentional decisions before time becomes the biggest cost of all.

06/03/2026

We asked Chaz:

“If you were given an extra $500 today, what would you do with it?”

While many people may choose to save it, invest it, or spend it, Chaz took a different approach — one centered around community impact. His answer?

He would use it to organize something meaningful for the community. From bringing together MWA members and local businesses, to supporting a charity or municipality, his vision was all about creating an event that could make a lasting impact while bringing people together.

What stood out most was the idea that even a small opportunity can grow into something much bigger when people work together. One act of generosity can create connections, inspire others to get involved, and make a real difference locally.

Now, what would YOU do?