Service Superstars reach new heights in Savannah.

New York Life | June 18, 2025

See how our 2024 Service Superstars were celebrated for their commitment to service excellence.

From May 13–16, more than 250 of New York Life’s finest service professionals gathered in historic Savannah, Georgia, for the eighth annual Service Superstars recognition event.

This year’s theme, “Reaching new heights, together,” highlighted not only the Superstars’ exceptional performance in 2024, but also their continued dedication to elevating themselves, their teams, and the people they serve. These employees represent service teams across both the Foundational Business (FB Operations & Shared Services, Product Solutions, Purchase Experience and Service Experience) and the Strategic Businesses (Group Benefit Solutions, Group Membership Association Division, Institutional Annuities, Institutional Life, New York Life Direct and New York Life Investment Management).

Celebrating growth and impact

What began as a Service initiative in 2017 has grown into a companywide celebration of excellence. This year’s event honored a record number of Superstars — more than 250 individuals recognized for their extraordinary dedication to service excellence.

Aaron Ball, head of the Foundational Business, opened the event with remarks underscoring the power of service to drive lasting impact. “What I love about Service Superstars is, it’s not about a single moment of greatness. It’s about showing up with heart, with the kind of quiet leadership that says, ‘You can count on me.’ Today is really about celebrating you.”   

Attendees then took part in a variety of enriching and enjoyable experiences, including networking activities, career development workshops, and a panel discussion featuring leaders from across the company: Amy Hu (Client Prospecting), Orla Nixon (Group Benefit Solutions), Tamra Billinghurst (Human Resources) and Todd Taylor (NYL Direct).

Head of the Strategic Businesses Alain Karaoglan, joined the Superstars and shared how honored he was to celebrate the individuals who represent the very best in creating meaningful experiences for our customers.

A highlight of the week was a keynote address from J.R. Martinez — actor, motivational speaker and U.S. Army veteran — who shared his personal story of resilience and the mindset needed to overcome adversity.

Giving back and connecting

This year’s volunteer activity partnered with the Girl Scouts, allowing Superstars to give back to the local community in a meaningful and hands-on way. Attendees also enjoyed classic Savannah trolley and river boat tours, which offered a relaxing and scenic way to experience the city's southern charm and rich history.

As in previous years, the event left a lasting impression. Many attendees spoke of new insights, deeper connections and renewed motivation to continue growing professionally and personally.

Check out the video above for a look into this inspiring experience — and be sure to leave a shoutout in the comments to recognize our 2024 Superstars!

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