Top 3 ways Canada’s insurance brokerages promote diversity
April 6, 2023 Philip PoradoRegardless of how far along Canadian brokerages are in their efforts to build diverse workplaces, they are in general agreement about the best ways to get there. And that’s the case even among firms that acknowledge they haven’t yet made…
Which factors impact DEI programs at P&C brokerages
April 3, 2023 Philip PoradoThe size of a Canadian P&C brokerage and the makeup of its senior leadership continues to drive whether employees have access to formal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. A Canadian Underwriter online survey, fielded in Jan. and Feb. 2023, and…
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Asking the ‘uncomfortable’ questions
October 22, 2021 by Greg MeckbachIf you think it’s a challenge to improve diversity at your brokerage, you should also view it as an opportunity, Ontario brokers heard Wednesday at the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario convention. Many brokerages are family-operated, Gore Mutual chief people…
Why insurers should be active diversity allies
September 1, 2021 Brooke SmithInsurance companies now need more than just a diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) strategy; they also need to apply it. With 3,000 employees in 30 countries, Charles Taylor Ltd. knows something about this. The London, U.K.-based service and consulting provider…
BFL founder donates $500K towards women leadership centre
May 27, 2021 by David GambrillBFL Canada’s founder, Barry F. Lorenzetti, is giving $500,000 to establish the Barry F. Lorenzetti Centre for Women Entrepreneurship and Leadership at Concordia University in Montreal and to endow research grants and scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. “Entrepreneurship involving…
Why the pipeline of diverse talent keeps drying up
May 20, 2021 by Adam MalikMarket conditions have led to broken talent pipelines which, in turn, have had a negative effect on companies being able to have a proper diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) program, a financial executive told a group of risk managers recently.…
Debbie Thompson, past president, IBAO
March 12, 2021 by Greg MeckbachDebbie Thompson, Manager, Risk and Insurance, Ontario Ministry of Government and Consumer Services Canada’s P&C insurance industry is making good progress on increasing female representation of women in the C-suite, but more needs to be done to mentor future women…
Heena Patel, RSA Canada
March 12, 2021 by Greg MeckbachHeena Patel, Senior Vice President, Chief Auditor, RSA Canada Advertising to more potential job candidates and raising awareness among managers about unconscious bias are among the measures the property and casualty insurance industry can take to help women advance into…
How to actually improve diversity on your board
March 11, 2021 by Jason ContantData show that most directors are interested in diversity — at least in theory — on their boards, but that doesn’t always translate into real change. A new blog written by the leader and a principal of PwC’s Governance Insights…
How Canadian brokerages are addressing systemic racism
February 10, 2021 by David GambrillSensational news stories about racial injustice in 2020 have prompted Canadian P&C insurance brokerages to take a corporate stand against racism and promote diversity and inclusion within their ranks, brokerage leaders observed in a recent Canadian Underwriter webinar. Black Lives…
Advice for how to go beyond a ‘general commitment’ to diversity and inclusion
January 8, 2021 by Greg MeckbachYour organization may be committed to having a diverse and inclusive workplace, but you may need to go further than that, the Toronto-based Human Resources Professionals Association suggests in a recent report. “A general commitment to diversity and inclusion is…
The financial benefits of improving diversity and inclusion
November 26, 2020 by Jason ContantImproving diversity and inclusion (D&I) in insurance companies has a positive impact on the business above and beyond compliance and the reputation of the organization, speakers said recently at a virtual industry event. Some of the benefits include better talent…