1st Annual Insurance-Canada.ca Broker Forum
ICBF2016: “Brokers on the Digital Expressway”
Held Tuesday, March 1, 2016 — Metro Toronto Convention Centre
ICBF2016 Faculty
Many of the faculty members are insurance brokers, some are from insurer partners, and others hail from outside the industry but largely focus on insurance as analysts, consultants or other specialists.
Their experience with leading uses of technology by the Canadian insurance broker community – or by others in support of brokers – will provide ideas, insights and advice you should find helpful as you move forward. Take this opportunity to discuss these points of view with members of the faculty and with your peers.
Rub shoulders with the faculty and network with peers during the Monday evening ICTA awards ceremony and networking reception, to which all ICTC and ICBF delegates are invoted.
Below is the roster of confirmed ICBF2016 faculty members, which will be filled out with additional participants over the coming weeks.
Presenters, Panelists and Moderators
Donna Abramson, Vice President - Enterprise Services, Applied Systems
Donna leads Applied's professional services organization that is focussed on clients realizing the potential of their technology investments. Her extensive background includes over 30 years in the insurance industry, blending insurance brokerage sales & service experience with deep technical and complex implementation areas. For more than five years, Donna has led the implementation of broker management systems with Applied's largest clients.
Marty Agather, Vice President - Client Experience, TrustedChoice.com
Marty Agather is the Vice President of Client Experience for TrustedChoice.com. Marty's position as an insurance technology thought leader has been developed through a career of leading change in industry organizations and processes.
Prior to joining TrustedChoice.com, Marty held senior roles in management, sales, and marketing for leading insurance technology organizations including Vice President of Rating Operations for Applied Systems. He started his insurance career by filling multiple roles over a 10 year span in a mid-sized independent agency in Chicago, Illinois.
Marty's experience in insurance operations, sales and digital marketing enhances his ability to envision how technical solutions combine with existing market opportunity to offer unseen profit potential.
Marty also writes for various insurance magazines and blogs and co-hosts a weekly podcast at AgencyNation.com.
Marty is actively involved in his local community. Among other community activities, Marty serves on the board of his local church and high school girls' basketball association. Marty lives in suburban Minneapolis with his wife and three daughters.
Marty graduated from the University of Colorado with a degree in economics. Marty holds the designations of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM).
Dario Battista, President & CEO, isure
Dario Battista is one of Canada's leading innovative digital insurance brokers and an industry leader in insurance digital marketing, and social media. As President and CEO of isure, he transformed a tradition insurance brokerage business into a leading brand based organic growth digital insurance retailer.
Upon completing his MBA (Schulich) in 1993, Dario started in insurance as a sales producer. Initially building a profitable personal lines portfolio, Dario transitioned to commercial insurance, where he became a top commercial producer. His success comes from his core belief to put the customer in the center of everything you do.
Dario's creative and unique approach to insurance retail marketing stems from his solid foundation in insurance sales, along with his unique perspective having grown up in the travel retail and wholesale industries. Through his family's businesses (Tempo Travel and Alba Tours), Dario witnessed the transformation of retail travel and how successful retailers adapted their business models to the changing customer demands.
In 2006, Dario saw an opportunity to transition his successful traditional brokerage into a brand focused multi-choice digital insurance retailer. Through organizational restructuring, effective and creative use of digital marketing and an extensive social media platform, isure has become a leading Canadian independent retail insurance brokerage.
What differentiates isure from other digital brokers is its focus on brand based organic growth. Isure relies exclusively on its brand in attracting new clients, and does not purchase any leads from third part lead generation sites nor employ a traditional producer sales force. Through this strategy Dario has built a sustainable insurance retail and marketing model allowing isure to continually invest in brand building and customer development.
Dario sits on a number of insurer national broker technology panels, and has been recognized most recently with the 2014 Kealy Award - Excellence in Technology (Keal), and 2015 IBAO - Aviva Innovation Award.
John Belyea, COO, Moore-McLean
As Chief Operating Officer of Moore-McLean Insurance Group, a leading Toronto-based commercial insurance brokerage, John is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the firm including client service, finance and administration and claims. John joined Moore-McLean in 2012 after working for five years as an independent consultant to insurance brokers, insurers and other financial institutions. Prior to forming his consulting practice, John was a partner of Creighton & Company and played a key role in helping build the business from $6.5 million in premiums to $42 million during his 13 years with the firm. John began his career in the insurance industry in 1989 when he joined Trivest Insurance Network, an investment company with a national network of nineteen general insurance brokerages.
John has also been actively involved within the insurance industry and currently sits on CSIO's board of directors and is a member of IBAC's Technology Committee.
John graduated from Queen's University in 1984 with a B.A. majoring in history and in 1989 graduated from York University's Schulich School of Business with an MBA.
Richard Boire, Partner, Boire Filler Group
Richard Boire is an expert in database marketing and predictive analytics. His initial experience at organizations such as Reader's Digest and American Express allowed him to become a pioneer in the application of predictive modelling technology for all direct marketing programs. This extended to the introduction of models which targeted the acquisition of new customers based on return on investment. in 1994, Richard formed his own consulting company, which is now called the Boire Filler Group, a Canadian leader in offering analytical and database services to companies seeking solutions to their existing predictive analytics or database marketing challenges.
Richard is a recognized authority on predictive analytics and is among a very few top experts in this field in Canada, with expertise and knowledge that is difficult, if not impossible to replicate in Canada. This expertise has evolved into international speaking assignments and workshop seminars in the U.S. , England, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Richard gives seminars on segmentation and predictive analytics for such organizations as Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) and Direct Marketing News. His written articles have appeared in numerous Canadian publications including Strategy Magazine and Marketing Magazine. He has taught applied statistics, data mining and database marketing at a variety of institutions across Canada, including UofT and (currently) Centennial College. Richard has chaired numerous conferences on behalf of the CMA, most recently the 2013 and 2014 Predictive Analytics World conferences in Toronto.
Traci Boland, President Elect, IBAO
Insurance was never meant to be Traci's career. She attended school to become a police officer and ended up being a competitive figure skating coach. Traci has coached teams at the Canadian National Championships and also has coached International competitors for Team Finland and Team USA.
After returning to Ontario, Canada in 2001, Traci decided to start working for her father at his Insurance Brokerage. In looking to find that spark again with what she wanted to do for a living, Traci found that spark with Insurance when she joined the IBAO Young Brokers Council in 2004. She hasn't stopped learning and being involved since then.
Traci received her CAIB (Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker) designation as well as Future Leaders Certification and Unrestricted license from our governing body.
She began the process of purchasing the business from her father in 2012 and has a great partnership with her father's former partner's son Jamie Marhsall. It is truly a family run business.
Traci holds the position of President Elect for the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. This is her 12th year volunteering for the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario.
Mark Breading, Partner and Chief Research Officer, Strategy Meets Action
Mark Breading, a Partner and Chief Research Officer at SMA, is a recognized expert in advanced technologies and their implications for the insurance industry. His specialty areas include the customer experience and analytics. He has exceptional knowledge and experience in many dimensions of the customer/producer experience, including omni-channel, customer communications, mobile technologies, CRM, digital content management, and contact centers. He has broad experience and insights in data and analytics, including business intelligence, advanced analytics, and big data.
Mark has more than 30 years of insurance and information technology experience in a variety of leadership roles. Mark is well known for his perspectives on innovative uses of technology in insurance and the future of the insurance industry. Mark leads the research program at SMA, and has exceptional knowledge and experience in all aspects of advanced technologies and solutions that provide value across the insurance enterprise – including analytics, customer communications, enterprise content management, telematics, and mobile technologies.
He has held both technical and business roles in sales, consulting, marketing, and business strategy, including roles as IBM's Global Insurance Strategist, Global Insurance Marketing Leader, and Director of Global Executive Conferences for insurance and banking. In these roles, he has advised C-level executives around the world.
Mark is a graduate of Bucknell University with a BSBA in Accounting and a graduate of IBM's Systems Research Institute with a major in Software Systems. He also holds an MBA in International Business from Liberty University.
Peter DaSilva, COO, Cornerstone Insurance Brokers
Peter DaSilva (MBA, FCIP, CAIB) is the President and Co-owner of Cornerstone Insurance Brokers and has over 35 years of industry experience. Prior to joining Cornerstone 6 years ago, Peter held executive roles with major insurance carriers in Ontario. Beyond strategic and tactical leadership, Peter currently oversees Cornerstone's mergers and acquisitions, Life & Health sales and service, and the overall Marketing for the organization.
In his spare time, Peter enjoys travelling, boating, listening to live music, and spending time with his family – especially his 3 young grandchildren.
Rick Dresher, President, Affiliated Insurance
Rick Dresher has been an insurance and risk management advisor for the past 35 years, serving small and medium-sized business operating across Canada and internationally. He graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Commerce, with a specialist in Commerce and a major in Economics. He later added an Environmental Studies major to his degree and obtained a Masters degree in Urban & Environmental Planning.
Rick started his insurance career working part-time in his father's brokerage, Dresher Insurance Brokers, in Etobicoke. That company was eventually merged to form CMD Insurance Services, in Etobicoke, where Rick was a partner. In 2008, Rick & his wife Rima, sold their interest in CMD and purchased Affiliated Insurance Management in Oakville. Rick's primary focus has always been commercial lines and computer related issues in the brokerage.
Renée Durepos, Vice President - Client Experience, Keal Technology
Growing up in an entrepreneurial family – her parents built what is now one of New Brunswick's largest insurance brokerages from scratch – Renee established her own private swimming lesson business at the early age of fifteen. After working in the family's insurance brokerage for several summers and getting a degree in Commerce, Renee decided to part ways with the insurance industry and joined a Tier 1 Canadian Food Company, Maple Leaf Foods. For 7 years, she held diverse positions in the Finance, Production, Operations and Human Resources areas. In 2006, while at Maple Leaf Foods, Renee was awarded the President Award, which is given annually to an individual who demonstrates outstanding leadership.
Positioned with general management experience, Renee decided to re-enter the insurance industry, this time on the Information Technology side. In November 2006, Renee joined the Keal Team, partnering with Pat Durepos to help Keal become the Best Broker Management System in Canada as defined by their clients.
Renee's philosophy on life is to play hard by loving what you do and doing what you love. This drives passion which always leads to success.
Jerry Gaertner, SVP - Compliance, Security & Standards, Managed Analytic Services Inc.
Jerrard Gaertner is Senior Vice President, Compliance, Security and Standards, at Managed AnalyticServices Inc. (MAS), which he co-founded. He is a chartered professional accountant (CPA) designated by CPA Canada as a specialist in information systems auditing and information technology. He is certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), and as an Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/IT), Internal Auditor (CIA), Forensic Investigator (CFI), Information Systems Professional (I.S.P.) and Information Technology Certified Professional (ITCP).
Mr. Gaertner is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Diplomat of McGill University (Accountancy). Prior to joining MAS, he held national responsibility for the systems assurance and computer audit activities of a “Big 4” accounting firm.
Mr. Gaertner is currently Adjunct Professor of Computer Science at Ryerson University where he teachesLaw for Computer Security & Digital Forensic Professionals. He also co-developed and teaches the University of Toronto's Certificate Programme in Enterprise Data Analytics. Mr. Gaertner is a Founding Director of the Digital Legacy Institute (DLI) and International Society of Digital Legacy Professionals (ISDLP) and former member of the Board at the Association of Certified Forensics Investigators (ACFI). He is Immediate Past President of the Canadian Information Processing Society (ON).
Sherif Gemayel, President, Sharp Insurance
- Session: The Digital Tipping Point: Why We Need To Adopt The Tools For Tomorrow, Today
- Session: Keys to Growing in the Consumer's Playing Field
A native Calgarian, Sherif Gemayal is the founder and president of Sharp Insurance, the fastest growing insurance brokerage in Alberta. Since Sharp's inception in 2009, it has grown from a two-person business to a brokerage that employs forty highly-trained individuals, and is also ranked among Canada's top ten insurance brokerages. Sherif strongly believes in using the latest technology platforms to stay competitive in the insurance industry which has led to the creation of his software company, Sharp Mobile Technology Limited. The development of the iMobileBroker app and the BrokerScape portal has witnessed significant results in reducing calls, increasing sales, and promoting customer loyalty. Sherif continues to work on developing new software that seeks to improve and transform the insurance brokerage industry in Canada.
Doug Grant, Partner, Insurance-Canada.ca
- Session: Keys to Growing in the Consumer's Playing Field
- Session: Effectiveness of Marketing, Sales and Service
- Session: Marketing: From Yellow Pages to Data-Driven
- Session: Work is Better When it is Efficient
A keen analyst of computer and networking evolution for more than 30 years, Doug is cognizant of the changes that are occurring in the Internet insurance world and their impact on the industry.
He has been helping the insurance industry in Canada make effective use of technology for many years. From a business-impact and application perspective, he has helped individual companies and cross-industry groups in both Property & Casualty and Life insurance.
Doug is a founding partner in Insurance-Canada.ca, a leading Canadian insurance resource centre for consumers and insurance professionals alike. As a frequent industry speaker, columnist and consultant, he brings a unique perspective to his sessions and discussions.
Doug Heaman, President, IBAO; President, Advocate Insurance Group
In 1982, Doug began his career in the Insurance Industry working with various local brokerages in the greater Waterloo Region. In 1987 Doug opened his own brokerage in Cambridge, Ontario, starting from scratch with a strong vision for his future. After 4 years Doug merged his business with Bradley Gaskin Marshall Insurance Brokers, a company with a solid reputation in the community – a bold move for a young broker and one that would set the stage for the future.
In 2005, Doug become the sole owner of the company and shortly thereafter choose to both move and rebrand the organization. BGM transformed into the Advocate Insurance Group building its vision on the company values of: love, integrity, faith and encouragement. Along with the new location and name, focus was placed on creating customer service experiences not common in the Insurance Industry, a challenging mandate to live up to. Advocate Insurance Group can now be found in the centre of Kitchener located in the Deer Ridge Center. This move was a perfect fit for the new modern image associated with this transforming company. Advocate has continued to build on his solid reputation, creating services unique in the industry and a corporate culture that has become part of its legacy.
Doug is a highly accomplished broker, obtaining his CCIB in 1996. Doug's passion for the Insurance Industry is reflected in his continuous volunteering activities in the community. Serving as Past President on the Insurance Board of Waterloo Region, Doug currently sits as Second Vice-President on the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario. Along with his other credentials Doug is a certified coach and trainer.
Terry Hickey, Managing Partner, IBM Interactive Experience and Mobile Leader, Financial Services & Insurance
As a Partner with more than 20 years of experience, Terry currently leads IBM Interactive Experience group in Canada, which works with organizations in Financial Services and Insurance, among other sectors. Terry is a regular speaker at events across North America sharing his insights on transforming client experiences.
Dorothy Josephson, AVP - Personal Lines & Broker Technology, SGI CANADA
- Session: Work is Better When it is Efficient
Much of the 25+ years Dorothy has spent in the insurance industry has been focussed on leveraging technology to improve the quality and effectiveness of the company broker partnership. Under her leadership, SGI CANADA has become an industry leader in its application of eBusiness technology to support its brokerage force, including being awarded an ICTA for 2012.
Amanda Ketelaars, Operations Manager, Mitchell & Whale Insurance Brokers
With over 20 years in the business, Amanda started her insurance career as a CSR in a brokerage. She quickly became intrigued by how innovation and technology can improve efficiency and customer service. Amanda made the move to the technology side of the industry, working as a Trainer and Consultant for a leading Broker Management System vendor. Amanda has worked with brokerages across Canada implementing efficient workflow, maximizing their use of technology, and promoting the adoption of emerging technologies.
Amanda joined CSIO (Centre for Study of Insurance Operations) where she worked on projects to help identify and implement leading edge technology standards and solutions for the broker distribution channel.
Amanda is now Operations Manager at Mitchell & Whale Insurance Brokers, one of the fastest organically growing brokerages in Ontario, boasting a 70% growth in 2015, while maintaining a very strong retention rate of existing clients. Loving what she does, Amanda continues to implement efficient workflows using existing technology and embraces emerging technologies in search of growth opportunities for Mitchell & Whale.
Jad McGregor, President, ABEX - Affiliated Brokers Exchange Inc.
Jad McGregor, President of ABEX Affiliated Brokers Exchange, has been one of the insurance industry's leading speakers and avid contributors in the area of cyber risk management and niche product offering for standard and misunderstood risks.
Jad is a founding member of C3RM – Canadian Centre for Cyber Risk Management, a not-for-profit association comprised of businesses, educational institutions, industry associations, and other stakeholders dedicated to improving cyber risk awareness and developing better cyber risk management technologies, programs and practices.
Prior to joining ABEX in 2006, Jad's experience includes several years with a national insurance company and working in the London market at Lloyd's.
Mr. McGregor holds his HBSc from University of Guelph, as well as Chartered Insurance Professional and Certified Risk Manager designations.
ABEX Affiliated Brokers Exchange is an insurance wholesaler (MGA) providing niche products and insurance solutions to brokers across Canada. ABEX provides brokers with capacity and specialty facilities to create out of the box solutions for standard and misunderstood risks.
Hugh McTavish, President, InsureMy Ltd. and Godfrey-Morrow Insurance
For Hugh, insurance is more than a career choice – it's a direct line to helping others. Protecting what's important, and planning for the future.
After completing an Economics degree at Western University and further fortifying his skill set with an MBA, Hugh set out to make his mark. He dedicated 20 years to the market side of the industry soaking in every facet, from personal and commercial to life. His vast knowledge and keen understanding of the industry quickly moved him into senior positions and garnered him several accolades.
13 years ago Hugh took the leap toward owning his own brokerage, through strategic mergers, acquisitions and thoughtful planning, he has grown Godfrey-Morrow Insurance into a flourishing brokerage. It is from this solid foundation that Hugh is able to build and grow, and is the visionary and driving force behind InsureMy Ltd. This newest venture, a full service brokerage, leverages emerging technology to offer products and services that make a difference in the lives of its customers. Empowering them to regulate driving performance and safety, mitigate loss and minimize environmental impact. Putting insurance to work for his customers, Hugh is leading the way for refreshing change in the business of insurance.
Ed Meiering, Vice President - Business Development, Aviva Canada
- Session: Blurring Lines: Who Does What in the Insurance Broker Distribution Ecosystem?
- Session: Marketing: From Yellow Pages to Data-Driven
Ed is known as an innovative, collaborative leader that is passionate about evolving broker's business. Brokers know that Ed has a thirst for technology and is an avid early adopter. He constantly wants to explore new ideas that can drive business value for both brokers and the company side of the insurance business in Ontario.
Ed is a constant champion of the broker value proposition. He is extremely involved in the broker community where he helps to inspire and share innovation. Working with Aviva's Digital Marketing Consultancy he is connecting brokers to business advisors and agencies that can help brokers evolve. Understanding that there is a need for a digital transformation within the insurance industry, Ed does not lose sight of the importance for traditional methods of communication, whether that is a phone conversation to work out a problem or driving across Ontario for an in-person meeting.
Adam Mitchell, President, Mitchell & Whale Insurance Brokers
- Session: “Making the Sale”
- Session: Keys to Growing in the Consumer's Playing Field
Adam is the 3rd generation Mitchell who took over Mitchell & Whale Insurance Brokers in 2008. Since taking over the family brokerage in Whitby, Adam has continued to significantly grow the business organically year over year; posting 400% growth since 2009 and 70% growth in 2015, while still maintaining a strong retention of existing customers.
Adam is forward thinking, ambitious and fearless, willing to take risks that traditional brokers might not. Adam moves leaps and bounds ahead where technology is concerned embracing new technologies to enhance his team's ability to communicate with clients the way they want and ensure strong customer satisfaction.
Adam's strong leadership skills and bold moves get him recognized across the industry. Adam was named as one of IBC's Young Guns 2 years in a row, named one of the Top 10 Brokerages in 2014 and Top 10 Elite Broker in Canada. This year Adam was a finalist for IBAO's Innovator of the Year.
Bill Morris, Senior Partner, Navicom
- Session: “The Consumer is Changing; Are You?”
- Session: Blurring Lines: Who Does What in the Insurance Broker Distribution Ecosystem?
- Session: Keys to Growing in the Consumer's Playing Field
Bill is a Senior Partner at Navicom and has executive responsibility for Navicom's insurance and hospitality business. Navicom's goal is to help its clients understand customer decision making, create differentiation and build competitive advantage.
Bill has been extensively involved in a variety of different market research and customer measurement initiatives within the Canadian Insurance Industry for over 20 years. He has been working closely with IBAO and Ontario brokers since 2001.
Most recently Bill has played a leadership role in the development and facilitation of the Beyond Best in Class Transformational Change Workshops and worked closely with IBAO to develop Understanding the 21st Century Consumer and Connecting in the 21st Century workshops.
Bill and Navicom remain committed to working diligently with key insurance industry stakeholders to develop new strategies and tactics to ensure the ongoing success of the broker distribution channel.
Fred Onorato, Regional Sales Manager, eSignLive
Bio forthcoming.
Greg Purdy, Managing Partner, Pathway Partners, Ltd.; getClarity, Inc.
- Session: “Will Analytics Save The Broker Channel?”
- Session: Marketing: From Yellow Pages to Data-Driven
With more than 25 years of experience in the insurance technology marketplace, Greg brings a unique perspective on how to build a successful company. In 17 years as C.E.O. of Applied Systems Canada Greg oversaw the growth in the Canadian marketplace from 200 brokers to over 1200. In 1992 Greg added the responsibility for international development and successfully established the UK operations with The Agency Manager UK.
In 2008, Greg formed Pathway Partners Ltd. with Michelle Cole-Kennedy to advise brokers on a wide range of operational and strategic topics with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions.
In 2011 Greg played a key role in the launch of getClarity Inc, a business intelligence company that focuses on bringing sophisticated demographic and statistical analysis to businesses of all sizes. With over 1.7 million records of new data on a monthly basis getClarity identifies timely market opportunities and as a result maximizes the return on investment.
Greg is the founder of the Canadian Insurance Strategy Group, which can be found on LinkedIn.
Jamie Reid, President & CEO, A.P. Reid & ZipSure.ca
Jamie Reid is President and CEO of the Dartmouth, Nova Scotia based A.P. Reid group of companies, which includes retail broker A.P. Reid Insurance Stores, on-line insurance site ZipSure.ca and managing general agency Underwriting Contract Administrators.
Growing up in the family insurance brokerage, Jamie has held every position in the business from Filing Clerk to Account Manager and from Commercial Sales to Finance and Marketing. Jamie became a partner in the firm in 1999 and then assumed the role of President in 2005. In 2010 Jamie bought out his other two partners (his mother and uncle), and assumed full control of the growing firm as CEO.
What sets Jamie apart is the constant search for a better way to solve problems – usually by completely reinventing how insurance is sold and managed. In 1995 Jamie designed and launched Underwriting Contract Administrators Inc, which is now a well-known Atlantic Based insurance wholesaler specializing in hard to place business. Jamie has developed custom insurance programs for several major associations, national retailers and franchise operations and has built Employee Group Home and Auto programs for some of the nation's best-known employers.
Most recently, Jamie launched ZipSure.ca, Canada's first 100% on-line only insurance brokerage. ZipSure.ca has focused initially on tenants insurance, solving many of the difficult issues for tenants and landlords alike and was awarded the Insurance-Canada.ca technology award in 2012 – only 3 months after the site was launched.
Jamie Reid holds his CIP, CRM and CAIB designations. In addition to his role at A.P. Reid, Jamie has served the insurance industry as a Board Member of the National Facility Association and Centre for the Study of Insurance Operations and as a Past President of the Insurance Brokers Association of Nova Scotia. He also believes in supporting and educating the community as a major contributor, corporate partner and fundraiser for many local organizations.
Jeff Roy, President & CEO, Excalibur insurance Group
Jeff is the founder and chair of the Excalibur Insurance Group with 4 offices and 15 employees in rural Ontario. He has been an insurance broker since 1989. He completed his business degree at Brock University in 1994, his CAIB in 1995 and his Canadian Insurance Professional designation in 1997. He and his wife Una just wrote their first insurance book last year, 24 Things you need to know to protect your Assets. Jeff is a founding member of Orbit ( Organization of Real Time Brokers Implementing Technology ) and is a member of the Ibao education committee.
The Excalibur insurance group has completed the IBAO's beyond best in class program in 2013 and is actively trying to slay the dragons of conformity in the insurance industry. Follow jeff on twitter: jroy5.
Patrick Vice, Partner, Insurance-Canada.ca
Patrick is a founding partner of Insurance-Canada.ca with more than 25 years of experience enabling technology and electronic commerce in the risk management and insurance communities.
Patrick currently serves as Insurance-Canada.ca's Director of Products and Services and sits on the company's Advisory Board. He edits the Intersection, Insurance-Canada.ca's blog, produces and hosts on-line and in-person events, and develops bespoke offerings for Insurance-Canada.ca's clients.
Prior to his current role, Patrick held positions of increasing scope and responsibility with insurance companies, consulting firms, and technology solution providers. He served as Director of Information Technology for the Frank Cowan Company Limited, Canada's premier provider of public entity risk management and insurance services, where he carried management responsibility for all information technology development, infrastructure, and support.
Throughout his career, Patrick has held senior management positions with insurance companies, distributors, consulting firms, and technology solution providers. He serves on boards and committees of various industry associations.
Patrick authors articles for leading trade publications and has spoken at insurance and technology conferences in Canada, the US, UK, Europe, and Bermuda.
Steve Wagler, Partner & Director of Sales, Josslin Insurance Brokers Limited
- Session: Work is Better When it is Efficient
Steve Wagler has been working in his family's brokerage for 23 years. He and his brother Scott have been shareholders in the brokerage since 1999 and today operate 6 branches with just over 70 employees.
Steve is a graduate of Economics from the University of Waterloo and in addition to completing his CAIB studies in 1993 he completed the Best Practices Companion series in 1999 and in 2010 completed the Beyond Best In Class program created by the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario.
Steve and his brother Scott have been long time members and supporters of the IBAO and the Centre for Family Business in Waterloo.
Wendy Watson, President, ORBiT
Wendy has been in the insurance industry for more than 30 years, covering both the direct writer and brokerage sides of the business. Having garnered experience in underwriting, developing system user requirements and conducting systems testing with a direct writer, Wendy made a move to the brokerage side, where her abilities landed her as Vice President of Operations for a highly regarded full-service brokerage.
Wendy has represented brokers as a Beta broker for Applied Systems, then as an active member on the Canadian Interface Ad Hoc Committee of ASCNet for Applied Systems. Playing an active role in the Real Time Broker Expo hosted in Cambridge on September 16th, 2008 lit a fire to really drive real time in Canada. This passion to continue educating brokers on what is possible through the use of Real Time functions resulted in the birth of ORBiT.
As President of ORBiT, Wendy has facilitated a significant increase in collaboration amongst participants in the broker distribution channel. This collaboration is key to the ongoing development of Real Time best practice workflows, which in turn enable the education of brokers and other stakeholders. Turning what could be into what is!
Janine White, Vice-President - Marketplaces, Kanetix
As the Vice-President of Marketplaces, Janine White leads the sales and operations for Canada's largest online marketplaces for financial services. Janine joined Kanetix in 2001 after completing an MBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario, specializing in ecommerce.
With almost two decades of experience working in the insurance and financial services world, Janine is an expert at bridging the gap of understanding between consumers and the financial products available to them. A consumer first, Janine has spent her career making financial services more accessible to Canadians through Kanetix.
Janine joined the company not long after its inception, and has been with the company through its various stages of growth and success. She has been part of almost every area of Kanetix, including leading the charge on business development, spearheading the company's early digital marketing programs, ensuring the highest quality of partner management, and even serving as one of the company's first bookkeepers.
Prior to joining Kanetix, Janine held several roles as at Scotiabank in Canada and spent time working in the railway industry in the UK.
Topic Outlines
Individual outlines of the presentation topics can be found on the ICBF2016 Topics page.
