Insurance Business Canada Awards 2021 Commemorative Guide

COMMEMORATIVE GUIDE

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A WORD FROM KEY MEDIA THANK YOU to everyone who took part in the seventh Insurance Business Canada Awards 2021. After a difficult year that tested the resilience of many industries, these awards offer a true snapshot of the best and brightest in insurance and those who stepped up and put their clients first at a time when it mattered most.

The Insurance Business Canada Awards celebrated and recognized excellence in the insurance profession across 20 prestigious categories, focusing on the achievements of the country’s best insurance professionals and organizations. It was wonderful to see such strong industry support for the awards, and we would like to thank everyone who submitted a nomination and acknowledge our esteemed panel of judges for lending their time and expertise to the endeavour.

The Insurance Business Canada Awards are brought to you

by Key Media, publisher of the leading global family of Insurance Business magazines and insurancebusinessmag.com.

We are proud to continue our tradition of celebrating insurance excellence in Canada and would like to congratulate all winners and excellence awardees.

PAUL LUCAS Managing editor – insurance and mortgage, Key Media

Key Media is an award-winning global media company.

Its growing portfolio of focused, market-leading products connects business communities across seven key verticals through a combination of innovative online offerings, events and print titles. www.keymedia.com

TABLE OF CONTENTS Cansure Award for Insurance Broker of the Year

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Empire Life Award for Life & Health Advisor of the Year

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FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Insurance Industry

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LowestRates.ca Award for CEO of the Year

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PAL Insurance Brokers Award for Young Achiever of the Year

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Steamatic Canada Award for Woman of Distinction

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Business Development Manager of the Year

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Leader of Change

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Underwriter of the Year

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Advocis Award for Life & Health Insurer of the Year

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Armour Insurance Award for MGA of the Year

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CNA Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility

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DSB Claims Award for Brokerage of the Year (10 Staff or More)

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Travelers Canada Award for Brokerage of the Year (Fewer than 10 Staff)

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Westland Insurance Group Award for P&C Insurer of the Year

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Best Service Provider – Insurtech

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Best Service Provider – Claims

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Big Brokerage of the Year

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Digital Innovator of the Year

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Excellence in Claims Service

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SHINING A LIGHT ON THE BIG ACHIEVERS The best and the brightest in the insurance industry were honoured at the Insurance Business Canada Awards 2021

IN LATE NOVEMBER 2021, the Insurance Business Canada Awards gave insurance professionals the perfect opportunity to take pandemic worries off the agenda for two celebratory and information-packed days.

Industry leaders came together virtually for a series of panel sessions that focused on issues unique to the insurance industry, while also recognizing excellence and the standout achievements of their peers.

Recordings of all panel discussions are available on demand and for free at www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/tv.

The Insurance Business Canada Awards is considered the leading independent awards event in the country. Organized by Insurance Business Canada magazine and publisher Key Media, the seventh

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annual IBC Awards was supported by heavyweight sponsors such as Armour, DSB Claims, Empire Life, Steamatic Canada, Travelers Canada, Westland Insurance, IFS and Trisura.

The awards celebrated the outstanding achievements of brokers, brokerages, underwriters, MGAs, insurers and risk managers throughout the Canadian insurance sector.

Hosted by veteran CBC news anchor Suhana Meharchand, the 2021 event included 20 award categories, ranging from the Cansure Award for Insurance Broker of the Year to the CNA Award for Excellence in Corporate Social Responsibility.

In a year marked by so much uncertainty, Meharchand said, “this event is all about good news. It’s a chance to applaud excellence in your industry and acknowledge the good work of your colleagues.”

METHODOLOGY NOMINATIONS The call for nominations for the Insurance Business Canada Awards was open to all insurance professionals and organizations across Canada. Nominations were open from May 31 to July 30, 2021 and were free of charge. Nominators were asked to provide the nominee’s contact details and a brief reason for the nomination.

RESEARCH The awards team conducted research and drew on knowledge and information gained from Insurance Business magazine and special reports to supplement the nominations received and ensure that no one deserving of recognition was missed.

FINALISTS A year of external industry pressures Just like the year before, 2021 proved to be a tough one for professionals in most sectors. The consensus of the insurance professionals attending the IBC Awards was that the insurance industry had also experienced a difficult year.

In many respects, it was the perfect storm. Extreme weather events, such as the catastrophic wildfires and the recent flooding in BC, forced insurers to think on their feet.

However, attendees agreed that it was not only domestic events that had put considerable strain on the way insurers did business – world events had played a large role as well.

COVID was undoubtedly the major culprit, contributing to a spinoff of unfavourable issues, including supply chain disruption at Canadian ports, increased inflation, and a labour shortage that affected insureds. These factors had to be considered alongside a continuing hard market.

“Many of the industry nominations worldwide and industry recognitions tend to focus on the non-life space. It’s nice to have the spotlight on the life insurance space”

Once all nominations were considered and research was complete, finalists were selected in each category (except for the Lifetime Achievement Award) and notified. All finalists were then invited to complete a detailed submission that addressed the category criteria in more detail. That submission remained confidential unless marked and was not shared with any third parties other than the judges. Finalists were announced in September 2021 on the event website and promoted in Insurance Business and on online channels.

JUDGING All finalist submissions were forwarded to an independent judging panel composed of insurance industry leaders and senior representatives. The panel assessed and voted for the winners in each category according to the relevant criteria. Any judge with a conflict of interest in a category recused themselves from judging that category.

2021

WINNERS Using a simple points system to aggregate the judges’ votes, the finalists with the top scores in each category were named winners. The winners were announced at the virtual awards ceremony on November 17 and 18, 2021.

Jiten Puri CEO, PolicyAdvisor.com, and winner of the Empire Life Award for Life & Health Advisor of the Year

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A remote business model For the finalists and winners of the 2021 IBC Awards, COVID also meant they needed to change the way they conducted business. But as Heather Dusenbury, senior underwriting specialist at Aviva and winner of the Underwriter of the Year award, explained, adapting to the challenges was not necessarily a bad thing.

“You definitely have your guard up more during a hard market,” she said.

“However, with the advancement of having Teams and Zoom and having the little green dot that says you’re available, it’s the virtual equivalent of spinning your chair around at the desk, which we have managed quite well.”

Dusenbury highlighted the technological advances achieved by the industry during the pandemic, pointing to the “existing digital automation, including portals, that brokers have access to, as well as self-quoting tools.”

Sharon Sharma, business development manager at CAA Insurance Company and winner of IBC’s Business Development Manager of the Year award, agreed.

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“People continue to face both personal and financial challenges.

With the loss of face-to-face meetings, Zoom has become our daily medium to connect with our brokers and has proved to be an effective and essential tool to ensure we are in regular contact and supporting our brokers,” she said.

For Aon broker Marisa Berezowski, winner of this year’s PAL Insurance Broker Award for Young Achiever of the Year, making the digital shift was easy.

“It wasn’t so much the technical aspect that was difficult; it was more so adapting from working in an office and being surrounded by other people to being isolated at home,” she said.

Rowena Chan, president of Sun Life Financial and winner of the IBC Award for Distribution Leader for Change, noted that the path to technological advancement was in place prior to the pandemic, and customers had already come to expect a fully digital experience.

“Digital capabilities like adopting chatbots, e-applications and robotic process automation have quickly become the norm. Insurers are testing and understanding the best way to use data and analytics coupled with artificial intelligence,” she said.

Young perspectives Berezowski pointed out that one of the distinct advantages of being young in the insurance industry was having the ability to welcome change and adapt to any challenges that presented themselves.

“It’s about embracing opportunities and challenges; recognizing that you are young and that, as such, in a unique position to absorb knowledge from other people,” she said.

Having a mentor has been the key to success for Berezowski, helping her get involved in the right programs prior to embarking on an insurance career.

“I mentioned on the panel that there are so many programs that are up and coming. Recognizing these programs and finding ways to support them while students are still learning is a way to really build a community and to have students excited about their future after graduation,” Berezowski said.

She explained that young people needed to be able to absorb the ins and outs of the insurance business by learning from seasoned professionals.

“This is why I have been successful, because I have had strong leaders in my corner,” she said.

The ‘life’ in insurance Jiten Puri, CEO of PolicyAdvisor.com and winner of the Empire Life Award for Life & Health Advisor of the Year, was honoured to be acknowledged for his contribution to such a specialized area.

He believes life insurance is an area that is often overshadowed in awards ceremonies by other insurance sectors that are considered “mandatory,” such as auto and home insurance.

“It’s often the forgotten part of the industry,” Puri said. “Many of the industry nominations worldwide and industry recognitions tend to focus on the non-life space. It’s nice to have the spotlight on the life insurance space.”

Under the pressure of the pandemic, industry professionals in the life insurance sector continued to do “terrific work to help provide peace of mind through highly unprecedented times,” Puri added.

Winning advice When asked what they thought was the key to their success, the winners were keen to explain.

“Be true to yourself. Don’t forget where you come from, and never take your eyes off the journey ahead. Remember also that you have to start somewhere, and with hard work and determination you will succeed,” Sharma said.

Matt Cassidy, co-owner of Excel Beyond Insurance, which won the Travelers Canada Award for Brokerage of the Year (Fewer than 10 Staff ), offered his wisdom as well.

“It’s about serving the community and providing our staff with an engaging and flexible workplace, especially during the last two years; and always being in pursuit of improving the way that we do business,” Cassidy said.

“I strongly believe that when you have a company culture built on diversity, respect and inclusivity, every person in your organization will feel safe to bring their authentic selves to work and reach their full potential.”

For Alena Kharkavets, vice president, national personal lines at BrokerLink, and winner of the Cansure Award for Insurance Broker of the Year, the advice couldn’t be easier.

“Pursue your dreams. Don’t settle for ‘good enough’ when it comes to your customers. Push the boundaries to find solutions, even if they are outside the box,” she said. “Make an effort to make insurance simple.”

Read on to find out more about all the winners and excellence awardees at the 2021 Insurance Business Canada Awards. Key Media and Insurance Business would like to congratulate all of this year’s winners and nominees, who truly exemplify excellence in the Canadian insurance industry.

“Digital capabilities, like adopting chatbots, e-applications and robotic process automation, have quickly become the norm. Insurers are testing and understanding the best way to use data and analytics coupled with artificial intelligence”

Rowena Chan President, Sun Life Financial, and winner of the IBC Award for Distribution Leader for Change

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CANSURE AWARD FOR

INSURANCE BROKER OF THE YEAR

This award is one of the highest accolades given to an individual in the insurance industry. It recognizes the most outstanding insurance broker in Canada who has best excelled at pushing the envelope with exemplary service, commitment to clients, innovation and growth.

WINNER

ALENA KHARKAVETS BrokerLink EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Harry Jhajj, Billyard Insurance Group Inc. Sacha Poshni, Billyard Insurance Group Inc. Maggie Yang, CIS Insurance Brokers Simar Sidhu, Diamond Insurance Group Inc. Karim Chandani, HUB International Sheri Clay, J.T. Insurance Services (Canada), Inc. Haaris Karimullah, Leibel Insurance Group Morgan Roberts, RH Insurance Melanie Hemmerling, Westland Insurance Terence D. Cairns, Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services (Alberta) Inc.

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AWARD SPONSOR

Cansure is a leading Canadian insurance supplier servicing brokers across the country. In this open market, Cansure is accessible by all licensed brokers in Canada and seeks to be a first-choice supplier offering breadth of products to protect both standard and non-standard risks across personal and commercial lines. Known for its creative underwriting solutions and expertise, Cansure continues to sustain strong financial security supported by both global and domestic partnerships.

For more information, visit www.cansure.com.

“Between the standard carriers and market cycles, this hard market has been challenging for everyone, but it’s an opportunity to shine as a participant that can bend and not break as brokers try to solve problems and meet the business demands of their clients. We try to implement a lot to help our brokers. It’s been about finding the right opportunities and prioritizing resources to improve efficiency” Cameron Copeland President, Cansure

EMPIRE LIFE AWARD FOR

LIFE & HEALTH ADVISOR OF THE YEAR This award recognizes the standout life and health insurance advisor of the year.

It is awarded to an individual who has best excelled at pushing the envelope with exemplary service, innovation, growth and commitment to clients.

WINNER

JITEN PURI PolicyAdvisor.com EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Hayden Barre-Henuset, Aspire Financial Services Neena Matabudul, Billyard Insurance Group Inc., Mississauga East Vincent Champagne, CHES Vie Mary Mazza, Desjardins Salini Uthirakumaran, Independent advisor Diana Feliz, KASE Insurance Shanti Longstaff, RBC Insurance Chris Karram, SafeBridge Private Wealth Lyle MacDougall, Strata Wealth Dave Watson, WFS Wealth & Financial Strategies

FIRST INSURANCE FUNDING OF CANADA AWARD FOR

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT IN THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY AWARD SPONSOR

The Empire Life Insurance Company (Empire Life) is a proud Canadian company that has been in business since 1923. We offer individual and group life and health insurance, investment and retirement products, including mutual funds through our wholly owned subsidiary Empire Life Investments Inc. Empire Life is among the top 10 life insurance companies in Canada and is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best Company. Our mission is to make it simple, fast and easy for Canadians to get the investment, insurance and group benefits coverage they need to build wealth, generate income, and achieve financial security.

For more information, follow Twitter @EmpireLife or visit our website, www.empire.ca.

“It’s fantastic to be part of this year’s awards to recognize some amazing work that’s been done in our industry during a year that’s seen unprecedented change. We’re proud to sponsor this category once again because it celebrates individuals who have excelled and pushed the envelope in innovation and exemplary service for their clients” Michael Stocks VP and chief marketing officer, Empire Life

This is the highest honour at the Insurance Business Canada Awards. This award recognizes and celebrates a leading figure who has contributed much to the advancement of the Canadian insurance industry. Though there are no defined parameters, this award acknowledges the individual with an established history and reputation for distinguished service to the insurance profession, and who has exhibited leadership and provided inspiration to others in the sector and their own workplace while putting the interests of the industry at the top of their priorities throughout their career.

WINNER

DEAN A. CONNOR President and CEO (retired), Sun Life “ There is a core set of leadership skills that has not changed – and that’s around developing talent and a high-performance culture, setting ambitious but achievable goals, inspiring people around something that goes beyond just profits but is around the purpose of the business. All that is core, but what has changed going forward is technology.

CEOs and leaders looking forward need to understand the tech stack and infrastructure, data, the role of the cloud, new digital business models... You need to be wired for a digital world and understand it as a source of competitive advantage. There’s a whole new world of knowledge, understanding and insight around technology.”

Dean A. Connor President and CEO (retired), Sun Life

AWARD SPONSOR

FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada (FIRST Canada) provides the Canadian insurance market with comprehensive payment solutions.

Brokers, MGAs, and carriers can partner with FIRST Canada and expand their offering to provide more value, choice, and convenience for all their clients. The combined strength of FIRST Canada’s dedicated team, evolved offering, and innovative platform positions its partners to meet the demanding future of the Canadian insurance landscape.

Armed with market-leading solutions for success, FIRST Canada is part of the Wintrust (Nasdaq: WTFC) family of companies with more than $45 billion in assets and is one of the largest premium finance companies in North America. Follow FIRST Canada on LinkedIn and Twitter.

For more information, visit www.firstinsurancefunding.ca.

“As the leader in insurance payment solutions for the Canadian marketplace, we are committed to supporting the industry through continuous investment in technology and providing the industry with innovative payment options to help businesses grow. We are proud to further support our thriving industry and celebrate our collective and individual achievements as the sponsor of the Lifetime Achievement Award for the sixth straight year” FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada

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LOWESTRATES.CA AWARD FOR

CEO OF THE YEAR

This award goes to the CEO who has demonstrated exceptional leadership over the last 12 months, bringing their organization to a new level of growth and success and stimulating the insurance industry.

WINNER

STEPHEN BILLYARD

AWARD SPONSOR

LowestRates.ca is a fintech company founded in 2012 and based in Toronto, Ont. We are a free and independent service that helps people save time and money by allowing them to compare insurance, credit cards, mortgages, and loans offered by North America’s leading financial institutions.

For more information, visit www.lowestrates.ca.

Billyard Insurance Group Inc. EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Daphné de Vitton, APRIL Canada Sukhdeep Kang, Armour Insurance Brokers Ltd. Jason Storah, Aviva Canada Cameron Copeland, Cansure Terri Botosan, HUB Financial Tracy Archer, Knight Archer Insurance Rick Jaitley, My Insurance Broker Silvy Wright, Northbridge Financial Corporation Tim Shauf, The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group Sherif Gemayel, Trufla Technology Saad Mered, Zurich Canada

“When it comes to Canadian insurance, I think leaders who are going to push for innovation will end up on top. The focus of innovation should be on consumer delight, and we use technology to drive some of that delight and make the process of buying insurance surprisingly painless, and maybe even pleasant” Justin Thouin Co-founder and spokesperson, LowestRates.ca

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2021

FEATURED WINNER

INSURANCE BUSINESS CANADA AWARDS

STEPHEN BILLYARD Billyard Insurance Group Inc. Stephen Billyard is president and principal broker at Billyard Insurance Group (BIG). He holds an MBA in human resource management, a BBA in marketing and a Level II RIBO Licence.

His excellence in leadership is exemplified by BIG’s astounding revenue growth, rapid company expansion, thriving industry partnerships and numerous prestigious awards.

In 2020 and 2021, BIG was recognized by the Globe and Mail’s Report on Business as a Top Growing Company in Canada for its three-year revenue growth of 817% and 1,141%, respectively.

Billyard’s dream was to launch the Ontario-based brokerage into national territory. From inception to execution, he oversaw expansion into Alberta, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in 2021. In scaling the company nationally, Billyard welcomed the expertise of seasoned professionals, adding directors of business development, finance, learning and development, marketing, and people and culture.

Simultaneously, BIG bolstered its presence in Ontario, opening another 19 full-service branches with a focus on forging synergistic relationships with managing partners, top-performing sales brokers, and insurance markets.

Supporting a staff of over 600 employees, Billyard invested heavily in technology and training to equip teams to reach their potential. In 2021, over 150 new employees were hired to accommodate internal growth at BIG’s headquarters and strengthen its locations across Canada.

Under Billyard’s leadership, BIG has been the recipient of several other Insurance Business awards and accolades:     

Top Insurance Workplace 2020, 2021 Top Insurance Brokerage 2021 BIG Brokerage of the Year finalist 2019, 2020, 2021 Stephen Billyard Industry Icon 2021 5-Star Brokerage 2021

P: (905) 346-2190 W: www.thebig.ca

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PAL INSURANCE BROKERS AWARD FOR

STEAMATIC CANADA AWARD FOR

This award recognizes an outstanding young insurance broker who has shown the highest potential for greater leadership and excelled at pushing the envelope with innovation and growth, garnering the industry’s attention and the respect of their peers.

This award goes to an outstanding female trailblazer in the insurance industry whose astounding personal and professional achievements have earned them a place among the industry’s best.

YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR

WINNER

MARISA BEREZOWSKI Aon EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Fady Kamel, All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited – Erin Mills Branch Dorothea Dowling, Axis Insurance Group Safeeullah Patel, Billyard Insurance Group Inc. Karim Zein, HUB International Limited Armin Habibi, Insureit Group Inc. Cody Macpherson, KASE Insurance Inc. Masud Nadiri, My Insurance Broker Brooke McClelland, Rubach Wealth Denae Popp, Surex

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AWARD SPONSOR

PAL Insurance Brokers Canada has been Canada’s leading specialty MGA for over 25 years. PAL was founded

by Bob Morrison in Calgary in 1989 and expanded to include an office in Simcoe, Ontario. PAL is a family business and includes Morrison’s wife, two daughters, grandson, and granddaughter. PAL’s online platform is very popular with brokers as it allows quick and easy access to many of PAL’s programs.

Responsiveness to brokers is one of PAL’s top priorities, whether in providing top-notch customer service to its brokers or in the creation of several programs in direct response to broker demand.

PAL can provide Canada-wide coverage for special events, fairs, festivals, exhibitions, weddings, contents in storage, exhibitor/vendor booth and kiosk liability, caterers, servers, performers, event planners, event cancellation, prize indemnity – hole in one, and miscellaneous property, as well as PAL’s newest program, collectables insurance.

PAL’s younger generation continue to lead PAL into the 21st century by responding to shifting customer needs and technological advances.

For more information, visit www.palcanada.com

WOMAN OF DISTINCTION

WINNER

ALICE KEUNG Independent corporate director EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Edwina McKennon, APOLLO Insurance Maria Flores, Carte Risk Management Erin Gattoni, CNA Jacinta Whyte, Ecclesiastical Insurance Shkya Ghanbarian, Eddy Solutions Jurenda Landry, KASE Insurance Inc Lisa Wolfe, QBE Erika Schurr, Travelers Canada Lori Cassidy, Zurich Canada

AWARD SPONSOR

Steamatic is a world-renowned company specializing in restoration, disaster recovery, and specialty cleaning. As one of the largest franchise networks in the world, the Steamatic trademark (operating under BMS Technologies outside the United States and Canada) has been innovating year after year with representatives in the USA, South America, Europe, and Australia.

Steamatic Canada is headed

by Nancy Raymond, an elite entrepreneur recognized throughout Quebec for having led her disaster banner for 10 years. Accompanied by her experienced insurance and disaster management team, its goal is to develop the network to become one of the biggest players in the industry at the Canadian level.

For more information, visit www.steamatic.ca.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

LEADER OF CHANGE

This award recognizes an outstanding young insurance broker who has shown the highest potential for greater leadership and has excelled at pushing the envelope with innovation and growth, garnering the industry’s attention and the respect of their peers.

This award celebrates individuals working to build a more diverse and equitable industry through action and driving positive change in Canada’s insurance industry.

WINNER

WINNER

SHARON SHARMA

ROWENA CHAN

CAA Insurance Company

Sun Life

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Janu Debalathas, APOLLO Insurance

Chloe Lyons, APOLLO Insurance

Kristina Snelgrove, APRIL Canada

Sukhdeep Kang, Armour Insurance Brokers Ltd

Sofia Colaiacovo, Equitable Life Dillon Johnson, Northbridge Insurance Jeff Haddon, Red River Mutual

“It’s a pretty astounding group.

These women are leaders, innovators, and an inspiration not only to those currently in the industry but to those who are coming up behind them who will follow” Laura Pennings Vice president sales and business development, Steamatic Canada

Michael Craig, SGI Canada Diana Vardy, Travelers Canada

Natasha Mascarenhas, Aviva Canada Jodie Kaufman Davis, Burns & Wilcox Canada Benaaz Irani, Desjardins

Kristina Van Ameyde, TuGo Travel Insurance

Anne-Marie Vanier, Independent director and consulting actuary

Nicole Burrell, Unica Insurance

Janice Farrell Jones, TD Insurance

Zak Barbary, Zensurance

Rachael MacLean, Travelers Canada Nicole Burrell, Unica Insurance Calvin Lim, UW Insure Brokers

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UNDERWRITER OF THE YEAR

ADVOCIS AWARD FOR

This award recognizes an underwriter whose expertise and outstanding service to brokers help ensure proper coverage is placed efficiently and effectively.

This award recognizes an outstanding life and health insurance company in Canada that provides top-tier life and health insurance products to consumers and businesses with an exemplary level of client service.

WINNER

LIFE & HEALTH INSURER OF THE YEAR

WINNER

HEATHER DUSENBURY

MEDAVIE BLUE CROSS

Aviva Canada EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Mashood Ali, Agile Underwriting Solutions

Canada Protection Plan

Joyce Rajadurai, APRIL Canada

Desjardins

Mary Giunta, Arch Insurance Canada Ltd.

Empire Life

Snigdha Ghosh, Billyard Insurance Group Inc., Mississauga East

Sun Life

Rachana Patel, CHES Special Risk Inc. Kevin Williams, Chutter Underwriting Services Amy Morrison, Gore Mutual Insurance Company Nicole Hachey, Intact Insurance Louise Dion, Peace Hills Insurance Noel Dodd, Special Risk Insurance Managers Ray Edwards, Victor

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Chubb Canada

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Manulife TD Insurance

AWARD SPONSOR

Advocis, The Financial Advisors Association of Canada, is the largest voluntary professional membership association of financial advisors in Canada, representing more than 17,000 member-clients and 40 chapters across the country.

Advocis provides a platform of knowledge, advocacy, community and protection, advancing the value and professionalism of financial advisors and planners in the best interest of the consumer. We offer professional designations, continuing education, industry-leading publications, and membership in a chapter network with mentorship programs, study groups, and practice development resources.

For more information, visit www.advocis.ca.

“The Advocis Award for Life & Health Insurer of the Year was created to recognize the exemplary products and client service that Canadians deserve.

Congratulations to Medavie Blue Cross on their outstanding work in 2021, and thank you to each of the award finalists for their exceptional contributions as well” Greg Pollock President and CEO, Advocis

2021

INSURANCE BUSINESS CANADA AWARDS

FEATURED WINNER

MEDAVIE BLUE CROSS Winning the Advocis Life & Health Insurer of the Year Award for product and client service excellence crowned what had already been a rewarding and productive year for Medavie Blue Cross in terms of its industry profile and business growth.

As one of the few carriers in Canada to manage all benefit lines under one roof, Medavie Blue Cross’s main focus in 2021 was protecting the health of the one in 12 Canadians it serves and providing clients with plans of real value that feature built-in flexibility and sustainability.

By leveraging its in-house expertise and technology, making strategic investments and forging alliances with leading industry experts, this customer-centric, digital-first enterprise unveiled a series of innovative solutions this past year.

The company launched a diabetes program to provide health coaching and education services; a navigation service to reduce the wait times for diabetes claimants to see a specialist; a mindfulness app to build mental resilience; a benefit plan for small businesses; and a gender affirmation benefit to support gender diverse members through their transitioning process. Together, these solutions provide members with timely access to care and the tools to take charge of their health, while meeting the unique needs and organizational objectives of their plan sponsors.

Drawing on nearly 80 years of expertise and experience in health insurance, Medavie Blue Cross has pioneered several innovative firsts in Canada’s industry, including the first member card, the first extended health benefit to support self-management of chronic conditions, and a medication advisory panel to review the cost and efficacy of new drugs.

Medavie Blue Cross continues to break new ground by embedding technology in every product roadmap and member experience to develop digital platforms and self-service modules that increase accessibility to expert care, improve health outcomes, and enhance organizational performance.

An example is its Optional Benefits program, a turnkey solution that employs the latest technologies to offer a seamless end-to-end digital experience and enable members to make a purchase within minutes. Its digital health platform, Connected Care, draws on the latest technologies and innovations to offer plan members premium access to the best, most immediate care possible – and at preferred pricing. Its mobile app is one of the highest-rated apps of any insurance company, with unique built-in functionalities to help members manage prescription drugs, receive refill reminders, and search for health professionals in their communities.

As a non-profit organization, Medavie proudly invests in communities to help address some of Canada’s most pressing healthcare challenges, establishing a $5 million COVID-19 Response Fund to help them address food security and mental health concerns. The organization’s strong sense of social responsibility, commitment to an inclusive workplace, and mission to improve the wellbeing of Canadians also earned Medavie Blue Cross recognition as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, one of Canada’s Most Admired Cultures, and an Imagine Canada Caring Company.

P: 1-855-633-2843 E: groupbenefits@medavie.bc.ca W: medaviebc.ca

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ARMOUR INSURANCE AWARD FOR

CNA AWARD FOR

MGA OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes an MGA that offers superb service to brokers and is consistently proactive in educating brokers on products, while maintaining in-depth knowledge of financial markets and the competitive landscape of all product offerings.

EXCELLENCE IN CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AWARD SPONSOR

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Armour Insurance Brokers Ltd is a leading Canadian brokerage, recognized for its expertise in complex risks.

Founded in 2010 by Sukhdeep Kang, Armour is headquartered in Mississauga, ON, with operations in multiple provinces in Canada. Armour offers all kinds of transportation, commercial, and personal insurance.

Armour is recognized in the industry and among clients for its strong experience, responsive client service, excellent product knowledge, proactive risk management and loss control, unique claims advocacy processes, and its diversified, knowledgeable and courteous staff.

APOLLO Insurance

For more information, visit www.armour-insurance.com.

WINNER

AGILE UNDERWRITING SOLUTIONS

APRIL Canada Burns & Wilcox Canada Cansure CHES Special Risk Inc. GroupOne Insurance PAL Insurance Brokers Canada Premier Special Risk Insurance Managers Totten Insurance Group Unique Risks Ltd

www.ibawards.ca

WINNER

ECCLESIASTICAL INSURANCE EXCELLENCE AWARDEES KASE Insurance Knight Archer Insurance Ltd

“The success of MGAs is based on the ease of dealing with them. Quicker turnaround, online accessibility, and communication with underwriters all make a world of difference. It’s a time where everyone is feeling the pressure of time, and brokers are looking for speed and efficiency” Rupinder Hayer President, Armour Insurance Brokers Ltd

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This award recognizes an organization whose outstanding contribution of time, leadership and financial support over a sustained period (beyond normal expectations) has made significant impacts on the receiving causes or communities.

Medavie Blue Cross Preferred Insurance Group Red River Mutual Squamish Insurance, a division of Vancity TD Insurance The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group Youngs Insurance Brokers Inc.

AWARD SPONSOR

CNA is the eighth largest commercial insurer in the United States.

CNA provides a broad range of standard and specialized property and casualty insurance products and services for businesses and professionals in the US, Canada, Europe and Asia, backed by 120 years of experience and more than $45 billion of assets.

For more information, visit www.cnacanada.ca.

“The nominees’ philanthropic efforts in a COVID era have made a significant, positive impact on their communities and businesses.

With the complexities of disasters and crises increasing, it’s more important than ever for our industry to show support to customers and communities in preparing, mitigating, responding to and recovering from these unique and unprecedented events. Every community has its own needs and priorities, and it’s important that we recognize these differences and respond in efforts and assistance.

I believe by focusing our resources on what matters most in the communities where we live and work, we have the power to really make a difference in the lives of many today” Lynn Lafortune AVP of marketing and communications, CNA

2021

FEATURED WINNER

INSURANCE BUSINESS CANADA AWARDS

ECCLESIASTICAL INSURANCE Ecclesiastical Insurance is a unique financial services organization that donates all its available profits to good causes. Our success has enabled us to totally transform the scale of our giving and redefine ourselves as a unique, purpose-driven company with the highest of ethical standards and unrivalled expertise. Giving back is central to our values and our culture. We’re deeply involved in our communities through partnerships, sponsorships and employee volunteer initiatives that help improve the lives of people in need.

P: 1-416-484-4555 W: www.ecclesiastical.ca

“On behalf of our entire team, we are honoured to receive this award. Firstly, congratulations to our fellow nominees.

We want to thank Insurance Business Canada, CNA for their sponsorship, the judging panel, our valued broker partners, and, most of all, our amazing team of dedicated professionals.

We are a purpose-driven specialist. With us being owned by a charitable trust, our reason for being in business is to give back, and so this particular award means so very much to us. Again, we are honoured, and thank you very much” David Smiley Chief operating officer, Ecclesiastical Canada

www.ibawards.ca

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2021

DSB CLAIMS AWARD FOR

BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR (10 STAFF OR MORE) This award recognizes the best brokerage in Canada with more than 10 staff members. The number of staff members includes all brokers writing business and support staff. To be eligible, the brokerage must be independently branded and headquartered in Canada.

WINNER

2021

KASE INSURANCE

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Alteri Insurance Armour Insurance Brokers Ltd FCA Insurance Brokers Leibel Insurance Group Oracle RMS OVC Assurance Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services

2021

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AWARD SPONSOR

DSB Claims Solutions is a claim management company founded in 2012 by Dara Banga. The company is dedicated to the principle that “claim service is customer service.”

Beginning with a few staff members and a limited number of clients, DSB Claims has continuously improved and expanded its services to an ever-increasing client base.

DSB Claims partners with insurance brokers and insurance carriers who are looking to ‘unleash’ the value of their customers’ claim experiences through personalized, accessible, relationship-based customer service. Our services align and support the key performance indicators for our clients, whether they be service or financial.

DSB Claims is continually building and aligning key infrastructure, both staff, process and technology, to meet the needs of our expanding client base, ensuring we keep our founding “customer service” principle at the forefront of everything we do.

For more information, visit www.dsbclaims.com.

2021

INSURANCE BUSINESS CANADA AWARDS

FEATURED WINNER

KASE INSURANCE KASE Insurance’s key to success is hiring for personality and talent and not for experience. KASE has been successfully training most of its brokers from scratch and is constantly looking for superstars that want an opportunity to take their careers to the next level. As partners Stanislav Kojokin and Arian Ebrahimi sum up, “We love this industry!” And that drives KASE’s dedication to changing the landscape by making insurance exciting. Offering a full commercial training program, providing mentorship, and covering further jobrelated educational courses, KASE’s employee count doubled to 20 over the last year.

“Our amazing culture stems from the focus we put on employee engagement and team building,” Ebrahimi says.

“KASE’s core purpose is providing proactive insurance solutions while supporting the health, happiness and success of our team.”

This year alone, KASE has helped thousands of business owners with their insurance needs. KASE’s focus is in the commercial sector but will also help its existing clients with personal and financial insurance products.

“Every client has a dedicated support team that knows their business, documents growth goals, and anticipates coverage needs,” Ebrahimi says. “We understand our place in the market— the eyes and ears to the coverage world. Our clients rely on us to properly manage their policies and speak to them about ways to properly protect themselves. We take great pride in that.”

Communication and transparency maintain KASE’s 98% retention ratio, and the company has grown 120% since the start of the pandemic in sales alone. Over the last 18 months, KASE has been recognized as a finalist in numerous Insurance Business award categories including Brokerage of the Year (2020 and 2021), Excellence in Claims Service (2021), Rising Star Award (Cody Macpherson, 2021), Woman of Distinction (Jurenda Landry, 2020 and 2021) and Life & Health Advisor of the Year (Diana Feliz, 2021).

KASE’s company vision is simple: To become the number one insurance brokerage in Canada. Period.

P: (416) 588 5273 (KASE) W: www.kaseinsurance.com

www.ibawards.ca

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2021

TRAVELERS CANADA AWARD FOR

BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR (FEWER THAN 10 STAFF) This award recognizes the best brokerage in Canada with fewer than 10 staff members. The number of staff members includes all brokers writing business and support staff. To be eligible, the brokerage must be independently branded and headquartered in Canada.

WINNER

2021

EXCEL BEYOND INSURANCE

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Abatis Risk Management Inc. Diamond Insurance Group Inc.

AWARD SPONSOR

Travelers Canada is a leading provider of property and casualty insurance for home, auto and business across Canada. The Canadian arm of The Travelers Companies, Inc., we are part of an industry-leading organization backed by 160 years of experience and $103 billion of assets. Our expertise and focus on innovation have made us a leader in personal, business and specialty insurance and the only property and casualty company in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Every day, our 30,000 employees and 13,500 brokers and agents in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Brazil help deliver peace of mind to our customers.

For more information, visit www.TravelersCanada.ca

Fuse Insurance Ltd Louis Meier Insurance Broker Ltd Millennial’s Choice Insurance Inc. Sussex Corporate Risk Wells Insurance Services

2021

“ What’s resonating with me is how much energy and deliberateness each of these nominees brings forth to their brokerages to ensure success. [The nominees] have achieved tremendous results over the last couple of years and have pivoted and made their way through a historic pandemic” Heather Masterson President and CEO, Travelers Canada

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WESTLAND INSURANCE GROUP AWARD FOR

P&C INSURER OF THE YEAR

This award recognizes the most outstanding property and casualty insurance company in Canada providing top-tier property and casualty insurance products to consumers and businesses with an exemplary level of client service.

WINNER

AVIVA CANADA

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

AWARD SPONSOR

Westland Insurance Group is one of the largest and fastestgrowing independent property and casualty insurance brokers in Canada. With a national presence of over 190 locations and nearly 2,100 employees, the company continues to expand coast to coast.

Westland’s brokers provide expert advice to home, business, farm, life and auto insurance clients. Since its founding in 1980, Westland has remained a family-owned company that is committed to supporting its local communities.

For more information, visit www.westlandinsurance.ca.

CNA Ecclesiastical Insurance Intact Insurance Northbridge Insurance The Commonwell Mutual Insurance Group The Mutual Fire Insurance Company of British Columbia Travelers Canada Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company Unica Insurance

BEST SERVICE PROVIDER INSURTECH This award recognizes the service provider in insurtech that adds the most value to the business of insurance professionals, and allows insurance professionals to maximize their business and help clients achieve their goals.

WINNER

PRONAVIGATOR

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Applied Systems Canada

“Thank you to Insurance Business Canada for hosting these awards.

Our team is tremendously proud to sponsor this award to recognize and celebrate excellence in our industry. A big hearty congratulations to all the nominees!”

Calefy Inc. FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada Global IQX Goose Digital LowestRates.ca Trufla Technology UW InsureTech Vertafore Canada

Donna Barclay Executive vice president, commercial, Westland Insurance

www.ibawards.ca

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BEST SERVICE PROVIDER CLAIMS

This award recognizes the service provider in claims that adds the most value to the business of insurance professionals, allows insurance professionals to maximize their business and help clients achieve their goals, and is making a major contribution to general insurance claims in Canada.

WINNER

2021

INSURANCE BUSINESS CANADA AWARDS

FEATURED WINNER CHARLES TAYLOR

CHARLES TAYLOR

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES Baker Tilly Contractor Connection Canada DSB Claims Gallagher Bassett Sedgwick

At Charles Taylor, we know that our clients in the insurance sector need to reduce the risk of claims and improve claims outcomes, especially in today’s hard market. We also know they need bespoke solutions that anticipate and mitigate both their own and their customers’ risk and add real value.

That’s why we offer insurance providers a breadth of specialist technical knowledge gained through decades of practical experience, and it’s also why we continue to invest in our core adjusting service. Adding to this, we have launched our new thirdparty administration service (TPA), and have further reduced risk via our unique new technology, called Discovery by Charles Taylor, that helps validate claims, detect fraud, and protect bottom lines.

We are proud that time and again, major clients say they benefit from our policy interpretation, collaborative communication, proactive file handling, and stakeholder management skills. Moreover, we are proactive about understanding and meeting the industry’s changing and developing needs.

We understand that we all have a part to play in responding to wider industry issues, and recognize that DE&I is a ‘work in progress’ in the insurance industry, so we’ve taken proactive steps to increase awareness of its importance, beyond our organization.

At Charles Taylor our focus remains on the highest level of client service and forging strong relationships in the insurance market.

P: +44 203 889 8277 W: www.charlestaylor.com

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BIG BROKERAGE OF THE YEAR

DIGITAL INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR

EXCELLENCE IN CLAIMS SERVICE

This award recognises the best brokerage operation with more than 100 staff (or full-time equivalents) in Canada.

This award is given to the organization that has best harnessed technology and digital solutions to improve its business, aid its staff, and leverage overall client experience over the past 12 months.

This award acknowledges insurance companies, offices and independent adjusting firms with a proven track record of providing their clients with superior support.

WINNER

WINNER

WINNER

WESTLAND INSURANCE

APOLLO INSURANCE

APRIL MARINE

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

EXCELLENCE AWARDEES

Billyard Insurance Group Inc.

APRIL Canada

Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty

BrokerLink

BFL Canada

CNA

GTI Broker Group Inc.

BrokerLink

Crawford & Company (Canada), Inc

HUB International Limited

Fuse Insurance Ltd.

HUB International Limited

Lloyd Sadd Insurance Brokers Ltd.

isure insurance inc.

KASE Insurance

Sharp Insurance

Surex

Northbridge Insurance

Surex

Unica Insurance

Red River Mutual

Western Financial Group

UW Insure Brokers

Saskatchewan Mutual Insurance

Zensurance

Zensurance

Travelers Canada

www.ibawards.ca

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2021 JUDGING PANEL Thank you to our esteemed judges for lending us their time and expertise to help recognise and celebrate excellence in the insurance profession

CARLA BLACKMORE

BRETT BOADWAY

GEORGE HODGSON

Vice president, Insurance Consulting Group

Chief operating officer, Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario

CEO, Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta

VINITA JAJWARE-BEATTY

STEVE MASNYK

ANNETTE PALALAS

President, Toronto Insurance Women’s Association

Managing director, Canadian Association of Managing General Agents

Professor of insurance, Humber College

GREG POLLOCK

BOB TISDALE

NICOLE SINCLAIR

President and CEO, Advocis

President and CEO, JR Tisdale Consulting Services

Advisor to the president and CEO, Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan

BRENDAN WYCKS, BA, MBA, CAE Co-executive director, Canadian Association of Financial Institutions in Insurance

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AWARD SPONSORS

SOCIAL MEDIA SPONSOR

CHAMPAGNE SPONSOR

PRESENTED BY

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#IBAwardsCA

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