2023 AGENDA

• 9:30 AM

  Registration & Expo Hall Opens

• 10:00 AM

  Opening remarks from the Chairperson

  

  Jessica Harper

  Director, Policy, Licensing, & Standards
  Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO)

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  Jessica Harper

  Director, Policy, Licensing, & Standards
  Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO)

• 10:05 AM

  Keynote fireside chat – Learn from the best: Canada’s top specialty insurance brokers share their secrets to success

  As we emerge from a pandemic world, new volatility continues to weigh on the Canadian market. Insurance brokers must stay on top of the latest industry developments in order to set themselves apart. This Keynote panel brings together the top brokers in Canada to share their secrets to success and get you up to speed on the key issues impacting the specialty insurance landscape.

  • Highlighting recent developments in the specialty insurance industry and their implications for 2023
  • An update on the latest specialty insurance product offerings
  • Best practices for managing changes in the market: how to adapt strategies to suit your personal business model
  • Addressing the challenge of lessening capacity and increased premiums around specialty coverages when working with clients

  

  Paul Croft

  Chief Operating Officer – Canada
  Aon

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  Paul Croft

  Chief Operating Officer – Canada
  Aon

  Paul is chief operating officer for Aon Canada. He is responsible for delivering optimal results through the successful deployment and the execution of initiatives that support the organizational strategy within Canada and across all solution lines. Paul works closely with the Aon North American and Global operations community to develop strategy and ensure operational excellence by driving key change and transformational initiatives.

  Paul earned a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science from Dalhousie University. His professional designations include CIP (Chartered Insurance Professional), CCIB (Canadian Chartered Insurance Broker), and CRM (Canadian Risk Management).

  He is past president of the Insurance Brokers Association of Nova Scotia, and the Insurance Institute of Nova Scotia. Currently Paul serves as Chair of the Academic Council of the Insurance Institute of Canada as well as being a member of the Board of Governors. Paul also serves on the Advisory Board of Dalhousie University, MBA program.

  Paul ’s expertise includes the ability to work with and to lead highly successful teams in the design and execution of best-in-class insurance and risk management programs. Paul is experienced in delivering optimal results through implementation and coordination of business initiatives. Paul’s experience includes development and execution of business continuity strategy and compliance and governance programs.

  Over the course of his career Paul has worked with Aon holding positions of Account Executive, Branch Leader, Regional Client Service Manager, Regional Broking Manager, and National Broking Leader.

  

  Matthew Studley

  Executive Vice President
  Hub International Canada

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  Matthew Studley

  Executive Vice President
  Hub International Canada

  Matthew Studley, is Executive Vice President, Complex Risk, for global insurance brokerage Hub International.  He is a recognized expert in financial risk management, executive liability and the mitigation of specialty risks through insurance and insurance-linked securities. He consults on a variety of liability matters and risk transfer options, and advises multinational clients on corporate governance issues, investor lawsuits, regulatory investigations, professional liabilty and claims management.   

  Matthew’s clients include some of Canada’s largest publicly traded and privately owned companies, including many large, multinational clients. He specializes in working with investment management firms, insurance companies, private equity firms and pension plans. Matthew was a finalist at the Insurance Business Canada Awards for Young Gun (Under 40) in 2018, and was named in Insurance Business Canada’s Elite Broker list in 2021. He holds an MBA (with distinction) from Cornell University and is a CFA Charterholder. Matthew lives in Toronto, ON Canada with his wife and their two young children. 

   

• 10:55 AM

  Panel: Growing your business in times of change: how to scale to the next level

  With the industry continuing to experience a high degree of brokerage M&As leading to widespread consolidation in the insurance distribution marketplace, the need for scale is becoming top of mind for smaller, independent brokerage owners. However, the M&A route is not the only, or necessarily best, option for expanding your business, as there is still room for high-quality, independent insurance brokers who can often provide the most customized insurance solutions for their clients. Hear from leading brokers as they provide insight into how independent brokers can remain competitive and grow their business in a market dominated by giants.

  • How to adapt scaling best practices and strategies to suit your personal business model and make 2023 your best year yet
  • Adapting to the impact that widespread consolidation has had on the insurance distribution marketplace: assessing M&A vs. organic growth strategies
  • Weighing need for investment in technology and innovation with the cost of staffing and rising business costs
  • Investing in talent attraction, retention, and development
  • Focussing on strength: strategies for providing more trusted, relevant and personalized interactions with customers
  • How to drive customer engagement and growth by reorienting your organization toward customers
  • Best practices for achieving long-term value through data-driven, customer-centric approach

  Moderator

  

  Richard Zehr

  President
  Zehr Insurance Brokers Limited

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  Richard Zehr

  President
  Zehr Insurance Brokers Limited

  Panelists

  

  Joshua Krenus

  President & CEO
  Alteri Insurance

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  Joshua Krenus

  President & CEO
  Alteri Insurance

  Joshua took a long and winding road to becoming an insurance executive. Born and raised in Surrey, Mr. Krenus went right into the family’s construction business out of high school. At Common Ground, he was able to learn and experience every angle of small business from staffing and budgeting to projecting and strategy.

  In 2012, after four years in the family business, Joshua decided to start his own company. With a passion for cars, Mr. Krenus began handing out flyers in the Shaughnessy neighborhood of Vancouver offering mobile detailing services – a few months later, Krenus Detailers supported three staff and had made their first acquisition.

  Although detailing was an amazing experience, Joshua felt he needed to grow as an entrepreneur, and the only way to do that was to change fields. One of his detailing clients was Colin Brown, founder and COO of Canadian Direct Insurance, whom Joshua got to know quite well over the years. In 2017, Krenus approached Brown on starting a local insurance agency, and the pair got right to it – by January of 2018, Alteri was born and had sold its first general insurance policy.

  Today, Alteri is home to thousands of clients, and millions in written premium. Joshua has been awarded a 30 Under 30 recipient and a Life Advisor of the Year winner. Joshua continues to look for ways to grow the agency and has become a recognized name in the industry.

  

  Stanislav Kojokin

  CEO
  KASE Insurance

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  Stanislav Kojokin

  CEO
  KASE Insurance

  

  Josh Pillsbury

  Managing Partner
  Summit Commercial Solutions

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  Josh Pillsbury

  Managing Partner
  Summit Commercial Solutions

• 11:40 AM

  Expo & networking break

• 12:05 PM

  Panel: Navigating regulatory rapids

  Insurance brokers continue to face new regulatory developments and compliance issues designed to improve transparency and accountability within the industry and ensure that brokers act in their clients’ best interests. This panel of leading industry Chief Compliance Officers will explore recent regulatory developments and their impact on insurance business practices, as well as examine what changes to expect in the future and provide best practices for navigating them.

  • Impact of Bill 96: An Act respecting French, the official and common language of Québec: how to prepare for the French language requirements that are applicable June 2023

  • Implication of the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) and the Treating Customers fairly guidelines for brokers

  • Developments from OSFI: what brokers need to know

  • Best practices for remaining compliant with regards to new requirements for data protection and cybersecurity

  Moderator

  

  Nicole Seymour

  Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer, Canada
  Lloyd’s Canada

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  Nicole Seymour

  Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer, Canada
  Lloyd’s Canada

  Nicole Seymour has over 20 years of experience in the insurance and financial industries. Nicole joined Lloyd’s as the Chief Regulatory and Compliance Officer in Canada in January 2022. Prior to this, she was the Chief Compliance Officer at AIG Insurance Company of Canada for 7 years. Nicole has also held Chief Compliance Officer roles at Mutual Fund Dealers and Life Insurance MGAs. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Waterloo, and has recently completed the Cambridge Business Sustainability Management Course Certificate and the Certificate in Regulatory Compliance and Legal Risk Management for Financial Institutions, from Osgoode Hall.

  Panelists

  

  Shani Briffa

  Assistant General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer; Director Government Relations
  Marsh & McLennan Canada

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  Shani Briffa

  Assistant General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer; Director Government Relations
  Marsh & McLennan Canada

  

  Melanie Hoad

  VP, Head of Legal and Compliance, Canada
  CNA Canada

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  Melanie Hoad

  VP, Head of Legal and Compliance, Canada
  CNA Canada

  Melanie “Mel” Hoad is the VP, Head of Legal and Compliance for the Canadian Branch of Continental Casualty Company (“CNA”).  She is responsible for the overall strategic direction and general management of the legal and compliance function and acts as the Compliance Officer, Privacy Officer and Assistant Corporate Secretary to the Branch. 

   Mel previously worked in house at another global insurer serving in a number of corporate and litigation roles. Prior to that, she was in private practice for over a decade practicing exclusively civil litigation with a focus on insurance litigation.  

   Mel graduated with a Bachelor of Laws degree from Western University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from McGill University.  She also holds a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) Designation through the Insurance Institute of Canada.  Mel is an active volunteer with Women in Insurance Cancer Crusade (WICC) and Holland Bloorview Kids Rehab Hospital “Capes of Kids” event.  She is also a member of IBC’s Regulation Standing Committee, Counselwell and Women General Counsel Canada. 

  She was selected by Insurance Business Canada as an Elite Women in Insurance in 2022.    

   

• 12:35 PM

  Networking Lunch

• 1:35 PM

  Latest Technology Trends to Overhaul the Insurance Brokerage Industry

  Though the balancing of risk and coverage options for clients can be a complex and arduous process that uses a high volume of data that can waste copious amounts of brokers’ time, the insurance industry has been slow to adopt new technology and maximize the benefits of digital transformation. However, we are beginning to see a digital revolution in insurance brokerage industry that is bringing automation into the forefront of many insurance processes. In this session, hear from brokers on the cutting edge of the digital transformation process on how to utilize innovative digital solutions that can help you stay up to date with changing consumer demands as well as ahead of the competition.

  • Top broker tools to assist in growing your pipeline, streamlining efficiencies, and better connecting with clients
  • Creating a more agile approach to your technology processes
  • Adopting technology to allow for spending more time with customers, while keeping an enhanced customer experience at the center of their solution
  • Establishing processes to deliver quotes rapidly to speed up the sales cycle, resulting in increased customers satisfaction and informed decision making
  • Strategies for realizing the true potential of digital and data-driven marketing
  • Preparing for the proliferation of “insurtech” and the evolution of online brokerage services and digital insurance products

  

  Simon Hlywa

  President
  Calefy Inc.

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  Simon Hlywa

  President
  Calefy Inc.

  Simon Hlywa is the President and Co-founder of Calefy, which is an insurtech with a lead intake solution that generates quotes and applications for brokers, MGA’s and insurers. Simon has played a critical role in developing leading-edge Canadian insurance software over the last 5 and a half years. Prior to Calefy, Simon was the manager of Deloitte Calgary’s cybersecurity consulting practice, responsible for large-scale digital forensic and eDiscovery investigations for corporate, private, and public organizations. He also worked as a consultant for Enbridge, designing stress testing and health-check software to ensure the integrity and stability of several software platforms.  

  

  Michael Loeters

  Senior Vice President – Commercial Insurance
  PROLINK

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  Michael Loeters

  Senior Vice President – Commercial Insurance
  PROLINK

  Michael joined PROLINK Insurance Inc. in 2017 and currently holds the title, “Senior Vice President, Commercial Insurance & Risk Management”. Within this role, Michael is responsible for overseeing the growth of PROLINK’s Commercial Insurance Division, managing strategic accounts, and running the Risk Management Practice in Canada.

• 2:10 PM

  Panel: Addressing the emerging needs of SMEs

  Small businesses are exposed to uniquely high risks and insurance is an important tool to help manage them. The SME market represents an important, yet challenging, opportunity for insurers. This session will provide brokers with insights into the SME market, as well as best practices for understanding and addressing their insurance needs.

  • Understanding the emerging risks and insurance needs of SMEs
  • Key insurance types and how these are being offered successfully to SMEs
  • Best practices for reaching and serving the SME market
  • Key classes of business that are underserved or underinsured
  • The role of digital tools in expanding customer-centric possibilities for SME insurance offerings

  Moderator

  

  Aneeza Ahmad

  Marketing Manager
  K A S E Insurance

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  Aneeza Ahmad

  Marketing Manager
  K A S E Insurance

  Panelists

  

  Loren Gardiner

  Vice President, National Commercial Insurance,
  BrokerLink

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  Loren Gardiner

  Vice President, National Commercial Insurance,
  BrokerLink

  Loren Gardiner got hooked into the insurance industry early, while working as a summer student at an insurance company. From there, her path was set, as the company’s engineers took her under their wing and introduced her to the technical side of insurance. After graduating university, Loren helped the company open an office in Australia and, upon returning to Canada, she transferred to Vancouver for two years, which eventually led to her joining Intact Insurance, as part of the equipment breakdown team. During her 12 years on Intact’s Specialty team, Loren led several other business lines, including farm, marine, non-standard property, E&O, D&O and more, and she was instrumental in helping create a national identity for Intact Financial Corporation’s (IFC) growing specialty division.  

   

  In 2023, Loren was ready for a change and moved over to BrokerLink, a subsidiary of IFC, where she is leading a national commercial insurance team of brokers and corporate employees. Loren is passionate about taking a customer-centric approach to finding solutions, and her technical expertise adds tremendous value to BrokerLink’s national commercial team, where she is focused on expanding its capabilities as one of Canada’s top-five commercial brokerages. 

  

  Fady Kamel CIP, CRM

  Managing Partner
  All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited- Erin Mills

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  Fady Kamel CIP, CRM

  Managing Partner
  All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited- Erin Mills

  Fady began his insurance career in 2009. His hard work and interest in underwriting lead him to progress into Senior Commercial Underwriting roles at both Aviva Insurance and Travelers. As continuous learning has always been his main driver, he earned both his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designations within 3 years. Fady saw a Risk Management opportunity in the Cannabis space during an inspection of a Medical Cannabis facility in 2014. In late 2015 after many years as a Commercial Underwriter, he made the jump to the Broker world and focused on Risk management for the Cannabis Industry.  8 years later he has become highly specialized in evaluating Insurance Risk within the Cannabis space, working with large International and National Licensed Producers, Retailers and everything in between. His underwriting knowledge, Industry experience, and focus on Risk Management has helped him become the go to Insurance Broker for all things Cannabis.

  

  Kevin Lea

  President
  Fuse Insurance Ltd.

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  Kevin Lea

  President
  Fuse Insurance Ltd.

  Kevin Lea is the President of Fuse Insurance, the two-time Insurance Business Canada Small Brokerage of the Year. Fuse Insurance has also been recognized for its use of technology as a finalist in the 2022 Insurance-Canada Technology Awards, a 2022 finalist for IBCA’s Digital Innovator of the Year Award and as one of Startup Calgary’s Top 15 Tech Start-ups in 2020. 

   Kevin is also: 

  • the Past President of the Professional Young Insurance Brokers of Alberta 
  • a current board member of the Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta. 

   Prior to cofounding Fuse Insurance in 2017, Kevin was a Partner and Large Commercial Producer at Rogers Insurance Ltd., one of Alberta’s largest brokerages. During his time at Rogers, he won the Insurance Business Canada Young Gun & Elite Broker awards, and was also recognized as one of Canada’s Top 10 Brokers Under 40. He also broke the Rogers Insurance company record for top new business production in back-to-back years. 

  

  Michael McLachlan

  President
  Trinity Underwriting

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  Michael McLachlan

  President
  Trinity Underwriting

  Michael McLachlan, president of Trinity Underwriting, has over 40 years of experience in the Canadian insurance industry on all sides of the business, including broking, reinsurance, primary insurers, and MGAs. The market relationships he has built ensure that Trinity is able to provide consistent, stable products and services, always with a view to the long term. In his role, Michael leads a group of strong underwriters who can rise to the challenge of providing clients with the reliable insurance coverage to ensure that their assets are protected 

• 3:00 PM

  Expo & networking break

• 3:30 PM

  Panel: Mastering cyber risk insurance: the most rapidly evolving sector in the insurance industry

  With cyber threats and technology evolving at a rapid pace, cyber risk insurance has become one of the fastest growing insurance sectors, and the number of product offerings have skyrocketed. This session will provide brokers with key strategies for how to best address their clients’ cyber risks and ultimately become leaders in cyber insurance.

  • Exploring changing cyber trends: current cyber risk offerings and key challenges for brokers
  • Key business types and industries that are currently underinsured
  • Best practices in starting the cyber insurance conversation with clients and marketing yourself
  • Comparing Tech E&O to stand-alone cyber insurance: benefits that each provide and how these coverages can work in tandem
  • How brokers can better explain the importance of cyber insurance to their clients

  Moderator

  

  Mohamed Jama

  Vice President, the Hull Division
  Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc.

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  Mohamed Jama

  Vice President, the Hull Division
  Jones DesLauriers Insurance Management Inc.

  Mohamed Jama is a seasoned expert in commercial insurance with over a decade of experience in technology, cyber, and professional liability. He has worked in a variety of roles, including as a broker and underwriter/wholesaler, at several prominent organizations. His extensive background in the insurance industry, combined with his in-depth knowledge of technology, cyber, and professional liability, make him a valuable asset in any discussion or debate. Mohamed is known for his analytical skills, ability to identify and manage risk, and his ability to communicate complex concepts to a diverse audience. He is dedicated to staying current with the latest developments in his field and is always eager to share his knowledge and insights.

  Panelists

  

  David Leadbetter

  President & CEO
  Avail Group Of Companies

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  David Leadbetter

  President & CEO
  Avail Group Of Companies

  As the Founder, President & CEO of the Avail Group of Companies, David Leadbetter has created the first true bot/AI powered  insurance brokerage. Utilizing their own Insurtech, Avail fosters technological innovation to boost efficiency in the insurance industry. David and his team of cyber architects, risk managers, insurance professionals and bots are able to streamline every step in the risk management and stewardship process. In turn, Avail can cut the cost of insurance for their clients, create a significant reduction in their company’s carbon footprint and donate a set amount of revenues back to the community.

  Avail’s business strategy comprises their social enterprise mission, servant leadership values and philanthropic payback to the community. Avail is committed to creating positive social impact and transforming the industry with their six game-changing Insurtech releases coming out in 2023. Thus far they have implemented a 4-day work week, improved the PTO structure, altered the producer compensation model and redefined what it means to be a full-service brokerage. By automating risk management, Avail clients will see digital wallets, a streamlined claims process, lower total cost of insurance and the ease of managing risk with the push of a button. These gamechangers are made possible by Avail Coin Labs, a division of Avail Group of Companies.

  Over the last 20 years, David has emerged as a top leader and trailblazer in the insurance industry. His passion for innovation and socially responsible insurance solutions has earned him notable recognition. His ground-breaking approach to digital risk management solutions garnered him a place on technology stages across North America including presentations at the Holt Xchange in Montreal. Avail Coin Labs established him as a transformational tech leader, garnering major attention within the venture capital and private equity markets of North America. David was listed on the Top 35 Under 35 from the Business Insurance Magazine of Canada and Top 40 under 40 from Business Leaders in Ontario.

  

  Jonathan Weekes, CRISC

  SVP, Cyber Practice Leader
  Hub International Canada

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  Jonathan Weekes, CRISC

  SVP, Cyber Practice Leader
  Hub International Canada

  As HUB International’s Cyber Practice Leader, Jonathan Weekes is responsible for developing client-specific product solutions, advising clients on issues related to cyber risk, negotiating with insurers, and educating clients and colleagues on emerging technologies. With over 13 years of experience in commercial insurance with a focus on professional liability & cyber, Jonathan brings extensive experience working with clients of all sizes and in all industry segments. Jonathan is also certified in in Risk and Information Systems Control, allowing him to assist clients in their efforts assess, quantify, and manage cyber risk.

• 4:15 PM

  Closing remarks from the Chairperson