Jason Kestler

Jason Kestler is an industry leader with more than 30 years of experience shaping the annuity and insurance distribution landscape. Known for his ability to build and scale high-performing organizations, Jason has played a pivotal role in advancing distribution strategy, product innovation, and industry collaboration.

He previously led Kestler Financial Group, a successful independent marketing organization, and sold it to Ladenburg Thalman, now Osaic Wealth, in 2018.  He also built a large securities operation that was ultimately sold to Securities America in 2019, which is now also under the Osaic Wealth umbrella. Jason led distribution at Highland Capital Brokerage through 2024, further solidifying his reputation as a strategic operator in the financial services space.

Jason was a founding Partner of the Annexus Group and later a founding equity partner at Market Synergy Group. Most recently, he joined Market Synergy Group Financial Distributors, a new entity that focuses on third-party distributed RILAs in the institutional markets. Through this platform, he is building a centralized hub that connects retail broker-dealers, wholesale broker-dealers, insurance carriers, and IMOs through more seamless, efficient engagement.

Additionally, Jason has been deeply involved in industry leadership and advocacy. He has served two terms on the NAFA Board of Directors and is a co-founder of NAFA’s Annuity Distribution Summit, a leading forum for industry collaboration and thought leadership.

Jason holds alumni status from Harvard Business School and is widely recognized for his value-driven approach and his longstanding commitment to building meaningful, trust-based relationships across the annuity distribution community.