Program
Tuesday, June 27
ICBC – A Focus on Care and Experience
10:30 AM – Noon
Join ICBC’s new President and CEO, David Wong and VP, Insurance, Bill Carpenter as well as members of their leadership team to reflect on ICBC’s proud history and how we’ll continue to meet the evolving needs of British Columbians together.
*This session is open to broker personnel only and is free to attend*
David Wong, President and CEO, ICBC
David is President and CEO of ICBC. He provides leadership and strategic direction to ensure that we deliver affordable insurance, excellent customer experiences and products that offer among the best protection in Canada. Before joining ICBC, he held a number of roles at BC Hydro, with the latest being Executive Vice-President, Finance, Technology, Supply Chain and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He also held senior financial roles at Teekay Corporation, including CFO of Teekay Offshore Partners Ltd. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Simon Fraser University and am a Chartered Professional Accountant.
David Fearncombe, Director, Insurance Sales, Distribution, ICBC
As ICBC’s Director, Insurance Sales, Distribution, David is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the sale and distribution of ICBC’s products and services. He oversees both the Broker Accounts and Broker Governance teams as they build relationships with our broker partners while continuing to manage broker compliance to over 900 broker locations throughout B.C. David has significant sales and distribution experience in financial services including, most recently, at Coast Capital Wealth Management. Prior to Coast Capital, David directed distribution for western Canada for Desjardins Wealth.
Bill Carpenter, Vice President of Insurance, ICBC
Bill is ICBC’s Vice President of Insurance. He helps keep ICBC’s insurance products well designed and priced fairly, and helps support the experience customers have with ICBC. His team works with over 900 Autoplan brokers to ensure that British Columbians have the products they need to protect them on the road. Before joining ICBC in 2011, Bill was a Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman, Inc. He has also been the Chief Actuary and Vice President of Underwriting for Reliance Direct Insurance and the Vice President of Underwriting for Nationwide Insurance.
Jill Blacklock, Senior Manager, Insurance Sales and Distribution, ICBC
Jill is a Senior Manager in ICBC’s Insurance Sales and Distribution and is responsible for the sale and distribution of ICBC’s products and services through more than 900 broker locations throughout B.C. During her 24 years with ICBC, Jill has served in a variety of management positions. In addition, she’s volunteered with the Insurance Institute of B.C. since 2017 on the education committee, joining the IIBC executive this year as Secretary-Treasurer. Jill has a marketing management diploma from BCIT, a fellowship diploma from the Insurance Institute of Canada and CRM designation.
Cameron Sutherland, Senior Manager of Broker Governance, ICBC
Cam is ICBC’s Senior Manager of Broker Governance. He is responsible for driving strategic broker initiatives, implementing the Strategic Broker Accord, and managing broker compliance programs. Cam chairs and manages various broker consultation groups including the Memorandum of Understanding Council (MOUC), ICBC Broker Liaison Committee and the Broker Online Task Force. Cam has a bachelor of management degree from the University of Lethbridge and has worked in several divisions at ICBC since 2000.
IBABC Annual General Meeting
1:15 PM – 5 PM
Don’t miss the most important meeting of the year. Discuss issues that directly affect brokers and help determine the direction of the association. Only members in good standing are entitled to attend. IBABC members please note that the AGM has a separate registration. Please register for the AGM here.
Welcome Reception
5 PM – 6:30 PM
After the AGM, join your broker colleagues and conference delegates at the welcome reception for some refreshment. Unwind to the music of David Martone, Latin jazz guitarist, while you network.
IBABC Industry Dinner
6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
After the reception cap off your day with dinner and the opportunity to listen to future of work and leadership expert Eric Termuende.
A globally recognized thought leader, bestselling author, and keynote speaker, Eric brings a fresh perspective to the future of work, leadership, workplace culture, and talent management. He has spent years studying the world’s greatest places to work to learn what sets amazing leaders apart and how to build resilient, innovative, and future-ready teams. Eric’s refreshing, down-to-earth messaging not only leaves audiences excited about the future, but also equips them with the practical tools and know-how to thrive in it.
Eric has delivered hundreds of keynotes around the world, with clients from category-leading companies like Amazon, Coca-Cola, Nationwide, IBM, Zoom, Nokia, John Deere, and Toyota, to name a few. His research and insights have also been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Inc., and many other prominent publications.
In addition, Eric is the co-founder of NoW of Work, where he advises industry-leading organizations, institutions, and associations on future-proofing their teams, talent management, and rehumanizing the workplace. His bestselling book, Rethink Work, has become a must-read for today’s leaders. From the stages of TEDx to BUILDEX to the Milken Global Conference, Eric inspires, challenges, and opens minds to opportunities for growth.
Music during dinner will be provided by Kadabra, a Latin jazz trio led by Dave Martone.
WEDNESDAY, June 28
Seminar 1: Cyber Insurance
9:15 AM – 10:30 AM
Led by Andrew Janzen, IBABC president and co-chair of IBAC’s tech committee, industry experts will discuss the state of the cyber insurance market. While more businesses are understanding the need for cyber insurance, the increased cybersecurity risks also have insurers becoming more cautious with their cyber insurance products. Panelists include:
Chris Hendricks is the Head of Coalition Incident Response (CIR) at where he leads a team providing digital forensics, incident response and security risk management professional services to Coalition’s thousands of policyholders across a wide variety of industries. He and his team respond to security incidents including network intrusions, data breaches, malware, ransomware, business email compromise and malicious insiders. The team hunts for advanced threats in their clients’ networks and provide actionable advice to reduce risk after an incident. Chris is also a developer, building tools for IT and security teams. Prior to joining Coalition, Chris’s experience includes building IR teams, security operations centers and offensive security capabilities. He also spent 10 years as an Air Force officer and federal agent investigating counterintelligence cases, fraud and computer crimes.
Neal Jardine is the Global Cyber Risk Intelligence and Claims Director for BOXX Insurance, joining BOXX in January 2022 from his role as the North American Cyber Practice Leader for Crawford and Company Insurance Adjusters. He is a recognised leader internationally in the complexities of responding to cyber attacks including ransomware negotiation, privacy breach and data loss. Neal has adjusted insured and uninsured losses arising from over 300 cyber attacks and breaches internationally, including Asia, United States, Canada and Europe. A recognised expert, he has presented to brokers, businesses and insurers on issues related to cyber insurance and cyber risk management, assisting a wide range of industries, in their understanding of pre and post loss management and response to cyber events.
Michael Trendler, Managing Director, Specialty Insurance, Travelers Canada
Michael Trendler has 30 years’ experience in the commercial insurance market with over 20 years in the management liability, professional liability, and cyber lines. He has spent a portion of his career working in the U.S. market on both the broker and company side and was involved in some of the earliest cyber liability programs. During his career, Michael has worked in a management capacity in the specialty lines & cyber areas for 2 other major insurers and has also been a national cyber resource. He is currently responsible for the Professional Liability and Cyber Liability field operations on a national basis at Travelers Canada.
Seminar 2: Resilience and Change: Thriving Amid Talent Challenges
10:45 AM – Noon
In this transformative presentation, work psychologist Dr. Pelletier combines her clinical expertise and leadership experience with cutting-edge research to challenge assumptions and empower individuals, teams and organizations in understanding the profound impacts of resilience on professionals and workplace culture. Gain insights into the links between mindset, resilience, and mental health, while reconstructing your plan with proven strategies that enable resilience and success in the face of talent challenges.
Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier is an award-winning workplace mental health expert, psychologist, advisor and speaker. Fluently bilingual in English and French, she’s one of only a handful of work psychologists holding both a PHD and MBA. Marie-Helene brings a signature mix of business and clinical expertise to the groups she works with. She translates psychology research (about health, resiliency, and overcoming challenges) into strategies professionals, business leaders and their teams need to thrive. She’s been featured in publications like Forbes and Thrive Global and her work has been published in academic journals such as Behaviour Research and Therapy, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, and Organizational Dynamics.
Luncheon & Keynote
Noon – 1:45 PM
Join us for lunch and listen to the keynote speaker Celyeste Power, president and CEO of the Insurance Bureau of Canada.
In her IBC role, Celyeste works with Canadian governments and key stakeholders to build a strong, stable P&C industry and a stronger and safer Canada.
Previously, Celyeste served as executive vice-president, strategic initiatives and advocacy, where she advanced IBC’s national advocacy priorities through foresight for and strategic management of issues affecting Canada’s property and casualty insurance industry. She has held progressively senior positions at IBC, developing strong relationships with the executive leadership team, members, insurance stakeholders and consumers. Prior to joining IBC, Celyeste honed her political and strategic acumen with the Government of Canada where she held a number of senior roles, including issues manager to the prime minister.
Celyeste is a people-first leader with a passion for mentorship, diversity and inclusion. She is an active member of The Insurance Supper Club Canada, an organization that supports the advancement of women to senior positions across the insurance industry. Celyeste earned a bachelor of arts degree at the University of Ottawa and a master of business administration certificate at the University of Toronto. She is now working toward her Chartered Insurance Professional designation. In her spare time, Celyeste enjoys running, reading and discovering new podcasts.
Seminar 3: Insurer & Leaders Presentation, Part 1
2 PM – 3:15 PM
Insurance company leaders will discuss their distinct points of view about various issues of the day. Part 1 will see the panelists deliver presentations on the hot topics from their companies. Panelists (with more to come!):
Graham Haigh, Senior Vice President, Chief Operating Officer – West, Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company
Graham Haigh launched his insurance career in B.C. in 1994 after graduating from Simon Fraser University. He has also completed the FCIP and CAIB designations. He now calls Winnipeg home, but he spent most of his career in Vancouver. In 2009, he joined Wawanesa as its Regional VP for B.C. & Yukon. He has taken on progressively senior positions since and is currently SVP, COO – West, a position in which his passion for leadership and business strategy drives his goal of enabling a world-class sales and marketing culture.
Jason Storah, Chief Executive Officer, Aviva Canada
Jason Storah was appointed as CEO of Aviva Canada in 2019 and has more than 15 years with the company. Prior to his appointment he was the Chief Distribution Officer, where he oversaw broker distribution, partnerships, RBC Insurance, Aviva’s direct insurance business, and marketing. He has also worked across a number of lines of business and held the roles of Chief Risk Officer; Senior Vice President, Traders and National Brokers; and Senior Vice President, Strategic Development. Previously, he worked at RSA in North America, South America and Europe.
Paul Jackson, Chief Operating Officer, Gore Mutual Insurance Company
As Chief Operating Officer, Paul integrates broker and retail distribution, underwriting, pricing and claims to support a pan-enterprise approach to operating and transforming our business. Paul joined Gore Mutual in 2014 with responsibility for the company’s distribution strategy, revenue growth and marketing plans. He has over 20 years of experience developing sales and marketing strategies in all channels having launched new insurance businesses in Asia, Europe and here in Canada. His international outlook and unique experience have shaped new ways of thinking at Gore Mutual.
Paul MacDonald, Executive Vice-President, Personal Insurance, Economical Insurance
As the leader of Economical’s personal lines division, Paul has made it a mission to streamline the customer and broker experience to make insurance easier to navigate for everyone involved. Paul brings extensive industry expertise in leading underwriting and claims functions, product and distribution strategy, and business transformation and integration – all critical elements in supporting Economical’s journey toward becoming a public company. His experience in driving new ways of doing things, from the “what if” stage straight through to delivery, serves him well as he helps innovate and transform business for the future.
Debbie Coull-Cicchini, Executive Vice-President, Intact Insurance
Debbie Coull-Cicchini was appointed Executive Vice President of Intact Insurance in January 2018, where she oversees the operations of Intact Insurance in Western, Ontario and Atlantic, Canada. Prior to this role, she was Senior Vice President for the Ontario Division. Debbie has played an integral part in the integration of five successful acquisitions and has led the implementation of numerous key strategic priorities on a national basis. Debbie holds an MBA from Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto and a BA in Economics from McMaster University in Hamilton.
Seminar 4: Insurer & Leaders Presentation, Part 2
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
The senior executives from Seminar 3 will sit down for a moderated Q&A session. Audience participation will be encouraged. Come prepared with your questions!
Moderated by:
IBABC Presidents Reception
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Join us for a reception to unwind after a day of sessions. Network with your fellow leaders from brokerages and insurance companies over cocktails and appetizers.
Sponsor & Insurer Events
Stay tuned for Insurer and Sponsor announcements regarding possible hosted networking events planned for the evening of June 28 and the morning of June 29. Summertime in Whistler! Enjoy.
June 28, 7-10 PM, Wawanesa Jazz Suite – More details