The Pace

IIC Chair reflects on his career journey and offers advice to members, students and grads for a rewarding career in the insurance industry.

What would you say is the most attractive proposition about working in the insurance industry and what positive message do you have for the membership about the future of the industry?

The most attractive proposition of our industry is that insurance sits at the intersection of purpose and possibility. We are in the business of enabling people, organizations, and communities to take risks, innovate, and grow, knowing they have protection when things don’t go as planned.

Looking ahead, the future of insurance is incredibly strong. The risks facing society such as climate change, cyber threats, supply-chain disruption and workforce transformation - are becoming more complex, not less. That means our industry will be more relevant, more strategic, and more influential than ever. For our members, this is an industry with long-term stability, expanding opportunity, and a growing role as trusted advisors in a rapidly changing world.

Why do you think a career in insurance is exciting/rewarding?

A career in insurance is exciting because no two days, and no two risks, are ever the same. You’re constantly learning, solving real-world problems, and working with people across industries and communities.

It’s rewarding because the impact is tangible. When a business recovers after a loss, when a family rebuilds, or when an organization is able to move forward after a crisis, insurance professionals play a critical role behind the scenes. There’s a deep sense of purpose that comes from knowing your work truly matters.

What would you say are some of the top/most interesting roles in insurance today and why?

Some of the most interesting roles today are those that blend technical expertise with strategic thinking and human insight, including:

• Risk Advisors and Brokers, who are evolving from transactional roles to strategic partners for clients
• Underwriters, particularly in specialty, cyber, and climate-related risks, where judgment and innovation are key
• Claims professionals, whose work increasingly combines empathy, analytics, and complex problem-solving
• Data, analytics, and technology roles, where AI, automation, and predictive modeling are reshaping how we assess and manage risk
• Leadership and client-facing roles, where communication, trust, and change management are critical

The common thread is that these roles require both technical skill and strong interpersonal capability.

What do you see as some of the key challenges and opportunities emerging for our industry over the next 5 years?

Key challenges include climate volatility, talent shortages, rising loss costs, and the pace of technological change. At the same time, these challenges create enormous opportunities.

Over the next five years, we have the chance to:

• Redefine how we assess and price risk using data and AI
• Attract a more diverse, tech-savvy, and purpose-driven workforce
• Strengthen our advisory role with clients
• Play a leadership role in resilience, sustainability, and economic stability

Those who embrace change and invest in people will thrive.

Why should employees of the industry feel great pride in our work?

Insurance professionals should feel proud because our work underpins economic confidence and community resilience. When others face uncertainty, we bring clarity. When loss occurs, we help people recover and move forward.

We often work quietly behind the scenes, but our impact is foundational. Very few industries can say they help rebuild lives, protect livelihoods, and enable progress at the scale that insurance does.

What additional thoughts would you like to share with new entrants and career changers who have yet to, or are actively considering a career in property & casualty?

To those considering a career in p&c insurance: this is an industry that will invest in you if you’re willing to invest in learning. You don’t need to have all the answers on day one, curiosity, integrity and a willingness to grow matter most.

This is a career where you can build expertise, move across roles, and make a long-term impact. If you’re looking for meaningful work, strong career mobility, and the chance to be part of something essential to society, insurance is a smart and rewarding choice.

In January of 2026 p&c industry collaborators came together to make a free on-demand training course available addressing Ontario’s Standardized Auto Reform, which comes into effect on July 1, 2026. The course is being delivered as part of a collaboration with the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO), the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC) and the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association (OMIA). These industry collaborators have come together to offer this free on-demand training course to address Ontario’s Standardized Auto Reform, which comes into effect on July 1, 2026.

Ontario’s auto insurance system has long included mandatory accident benefits to provide financial support for individuals injured in motor vehicle accidents. Starting July 1, 2026, Ontario is making auto insurance more flexible. Some accident benefits that were previously included in every auto insurance policy will become optional, giving consumers more choice to select coverage that fits their needs. Reflecting these changes, the policy forms OAP 1 (Owners Policy), OPF 2 (Drivers Policy) and OAP 4 (Garage Automobile Policy) will be updated.

The course covers changes under Ontario Regulation 383/24. The standardized course framework helps to ensure consistent knowledge across the industry, regardless of distribution channel or role. In addition, as part of the broader Auto Reform Program offered by Insurance Institute of Ontario (IIO), a two-part seminar series was made available during February.

IIO’s broader Auto Reform Program offering:

The IIO’s seminar Auto reform changes 2026 part-one was developed to explain the new SABS landscape clearly and ethically, while protecting both the client and the organization. The seminar used real-world examples and claims scenarios, to aid in applying the 2026 reforms, the impact on the most common claim types, and how to talk about the pros and cons of purchasing decisions.

The IIO’s seminar Auto reform changes 2026 part-two was developed to provide claims professionals with support to answer the hard questions, when coverage isn’t what a client expected. It covers key SABS reforms that directly affect claims handling, including new benefit limits and structures, and how the new OPCF47R Optional accident benefits coverage & priority of payment, impacts investigations. Clarity on new accident benefit claims handling impacts, application of collateral benefits, and much more are covered.

Stay tuned to our social media channels for updates, as future seminar announcements become available through the IIO.

The 2026 Ontario Auto Reform: Introduction to Accident Benefit Changes course, now available on our site, provides a clear, practical overview of what is changing and why. It is an essential starting point for insurance professionals, enabling Ontario-based auto clients to stay ahead of the regulatory changes. To locate the course after registration, log in to your IIC account and follow the E-Learning link on our website (eLearning.insuranceinstitute.ca) to access the course.

Key course features:

• Free online, on demand course
• 7 learning modules
• 2 hours to complete
• RIBO accredited for 2 CE hours in the technical category

What you will learn:

• What’s changing under the 2026 auto reform, and why
• How to:
• Approach discussions on reforms with clients
• Identify consumer knowledge gaps and guide clients across p&c lines to make informed decisions about their Accident Benefits
• Plan engagement before policy renewals
• Explain changes through real-life scenarios by bringing concepts to life
• Policy form updates, priority of payments and benefit limits
• What changes to accident benefits coverage means for consumers
• How the reform affects consumers and coverage decisions
• The common knowledge base and shared foundation needed for professionals working with multiple insurers

Regardless of your role or distribution channel, you will need to stay ahead of the coming regulatory changes, with the 2026 Ontario Auto Reform: Introduction to Accident Benefit Changes course. Now available here.

Enabling Skills for the Insurance Professional becomes a required part of the CIP program this year. CIP students planning their fall 2026 courses will need to have completed the interactive learning modules before registering for C16: The Business of Insurance.

The Enabling Skills modules explore key workplace skills and emerging competencies that underpin success in today’s insurance workplace. They were developed based on input from p&c insurance leaders, who advised that these skills should be covered in the CIP program. Accordingly, they were introduced in 2024 and have been optional for CIP students until now.

The 10 modules are:

• Critical Thinking
• Business Acumen
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Interpersonal Communication
• Customer Service Excellence
• Advising
• Ethics and Professionalism
• Ethics in Motion
• Information and Data Management
• Digital and Technological Fluency

Beginning in June 2026 (when registration opens for Fall 2026), CIP students will be required to successfully complete all 10 modules by the time they register for C16.

Enabling Skills at-a-glance:

• No cost, no registration – modules are automatically available to CIP students
• 10 interactive modules, each taking about an hour
• No books, no instructor, no exams – everything is online including a short test at the end of each module
• Modules can be completed in any order, and repeated as needed

CIP students can find the link to Enabling Skills for the Insurance Professional in their elearning accounts, near links to the CIP courses.

As outlined in the Spring 2025 issue of The Pace, the Insurance Institute’s academic team – with input from industry leaders and Institute members – is currently undertaking a full review of the Institute’s FCIP designation program. Work to date has highlighted some of the key priorities and challenges for today’s insurance leaders.

The pinnacle of insurance education in Canada, the FCIP program focuses on developing business skills and strategic thinking for current and future leaders in the p&c industry. The current review process is designed to ensure the program continues to keep pace with evolving industry roles, priorities, and needs.

Getting started

Phase 1 of the review project, which unfolded during 2025, began with research and needs analysis. First, an internal review examined program documents and analyzed program data. Next, a scan of the program’s business environment yielded information about comparator programs, best practices in other designations, developments in assessment approaches, and current research themes in business subject areas.

But the richest insights came from consultations with key industry stakeholders, including p&c insurance leaders, Insurance Institute members and FCIP participants, all gathered through a mix of one-to-one interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys.

Top trends and needs

This research highlighted key trends that are shaping and challenging Canada’s insurance industry, including technology shifts, changing work patterns, pressures on talent and succession planning, implications of climate change, and the need to cope with change itself.

Stakeholders also identified key skills that leaders need in this context: a blend of interpersonal, analytical, and adaptive skills for navigating increasing complexity, supported by fluency in financial, business, and digital domains.

In addition, research participants shared their perceptions of the FCIP program, covering everything from structure and curriculum, to networking opportunities and assessment methods, to value proposition and program brand.

Key competencies

Phase 2 of the review, which also took place during 2025, consisted of developing a leadership competency profile outlining the abilities needed by leaders in Canada’s p&c insurance industry.

Building on the industry feedback from Phase 1, the aim in Phase 2 was to further identify and articulate the full range of skills and behaviours that successful insurance leaders demonstrate.

The resulting Leadership Competency Profile for Insurance Professionals, informed and validated by p&c leaders through discussion groups and a survey, describes many competencies you might expect business leaders to have, such as skills in strategic thinking, financial acumen, communication, and leading people.

But it also articulates additional competencies that are particularly relevant in the evolving p&c environment, including client and stakeholder relationships, regulatory acumen, managing change and innovation, and leading the adoption of new technologies.

Next steps

The research findings from Phase 1, coupled with the leadership competencies identified in Phase 2, provide the foundation for the next phases of the FCIP review. Together, they will inform the team’s thinking about opportunities to further enhance the FCIP curriculum and learning experience.

The Institute extends sincere thanks to the many members who have contributed their time and insights to the consultations! We look forward to updating you further as the FCIP project progresses.

The National Leadership Award was created by the Insurance Institute of Canada in 2009 with a simple but powerful goal: to recognize people who are helping move the insurance industry forward. From the beginning, the award was meant to highlight professionals who go beyond doing their jobs well. These are people who mentor others, bring new ideas to the table, and actively strengthen the industry.

Each year, leaders from across the country are nominated in two categories, Emerging Leader and Established Leader. Winners are selected by a national panel of industry peers and are welcomed into the CIP Society’s Leadership Circle, a group that represents some of the most respected and influential voices in Canadian insurance.

Why does this kind of recognition matter? Because leadership is not just about titles. It is about the impact. Recognizing people who lead with integrity, curiosity, and a commitment to others helps set the tone for the entire profession. It encourages professionals at every stage of their careers to step up, get involved, and invest in making the industry better for the next generation. The latest National Leadership Award winners reflect exactly what the award stands for. This year’s honourees include Richard Sanchez (Zurich Canada), Thomas Wright (Avail Risk Management & Consulting), Dylan Pinter-Findlater (Intact Insurance), Jason Court (Travelers Canada), Tomas Stryncl (Aon Canada), and Neal Jardine (BOXX Insurance).

Each brings a unique leadership style, but all share a commitment to excellence, mentorship, and positive change. Together, they represent the future of the insurance industry and why recognizing leadership continues to matter now more than ever.

Nominations for the 2026 National Leadership Awards are open now for submission through to June 30, 2026. Submit your National Leadership Award nominations for the next Emerging or Established Leaders here.

In this series we spotlight various career paths within the Property and Casualty Insurance Industry. Here we look at two different brokers with very different career journeys to become specialty lines brokers.

Jaheed Cesar, Cyber, Hub international

After completing an undergrad in marketing and an MBA, Jaheed jumped into the insurance industry starting as a broker and eventually moving to become a cyber broker at HUB International. Jaheed likes that his career offers daily variety. As a cyber broker he helps protect his clients against data breaches, cyberattacks, and privacy violations. The skills he uses every day include communication, negotiation and attention to detail. Take a look at his day here!

Watch video

Fortunate Gorsi, Account Executive, Hagerty

Fortunate started her career as a medical services professional in the US. After moving to Canada and growing her family to include 3 active children she was looking for a new challenge which she found in the insurance industry. Fortunate began as a customer service rep before embracing her passion for collector cars at Hagerty. She appreciates the work-life balance her career offers. Fortunate is continuing her development with specialist underwriting training, so that she may take on more complex risks and expand her expertise. Beyond her core role, she also serves as the Communications Lead for Hagerty’s Multicultural ERG, to help foster inclusion and celebrate diversity across the workplace.

Watch video

These two different paths to the same broker career path show that there is a role for everyone and a chance to develop your own unique skills and interests!

Not everyone starts their career knowing exactly where they want to end up. For many people, the path takes shape through exposure, conversations, and the chance to explore a world of opportunities.

The IGNITE Insurance Careers program was created to support that moment of exploration. It brings together internationally trained professionals, newcomers to Canada, and professionals considering a new direction, offering a practical introduction to the insurance industry and the many roles within it.

Since 2024, IGNITE has run sessions across Canada, connecting participants with insurance professionals through in-person discussions, online learning, and hands-on activities. Rather than focusing on theory alone, the program is designed to help people understand how the industry works in practice, how many different roles are interconnected, and how existing skills can transfer into insurance careers.

Many participants have gone on to find employment in the industry and have shared how the program influenced their journey.

• Mariko Akane joined IGNITE (Toronto) without insurance on her radar. With a background in regulatory affairs in Japan’s medical device and pharmaceutical industries, she was exploring new possibilities after moving to Canada. Through the program, Mariko gained exposure to a wide range of insurance roles and connected directly with professionals working in the field. One-on-one mentorship sessions helped her strengthen her resume and prepare for interviews. Today, she works as a Commercial Lines Account Assistant at HUB International, where she continues to learn from experienced colleagues and support clients with their insurance needs.


• Johndel Louie Celestial came to IGNITE (Calgary) after building a foundation in customer service and completing business studies in financial services. He was looking for a career that offered stability while still presenting new challenges. IGNITE helped him better understand the variety of career paths within insurance and gave him the opportunity to connect with professionals working in claims. He now works as an Associate Claims Adjuster at Northbridge Financial Corporation, following his completion of their Claims New Graduate Program.


• Vishal Thakkar joined IGNITE (Kitchener-Waterloo) with several years of experience in financial services and client advisory roles. He was interested in a field that combined analytical thinking, client interaction, and long-term development. Through IGNITE, Vishal built a stronger understanding of the property and casualty insurance industry and gained confidence in exploring new roles. He now works as a Risk Broker in the Financial Services Group at Aon, supporting clients with complex risks and making informed decisions.

What participants often value most about IGNITE is the access it provides. The program connects people directly with insurance professionals who are open about their career paths and willing to share advice. It also creates space for networking, learning, and conversations that help participants see how their skills and experiences can translate into insurance roles.

The IGNITE Insurance Careers Program just wrapped up the Halifax cohort and will return to Toronto in Spring 2026, with the next session planned for April. The five-week program combines in-person weekly classes, online learning, self-paced modules, group activities, and mock interviews led by industry professionals. Participants also receive guidance on building an industry-specific resume and earn a certificate of completion at the end of program.

For internationally trained professionals, newcomers, and career changers exploring their next step, IGNITE offers a clear and practical way to learn about the insurance industry and connect with people already working within it.

In April, Insurance Career Connections will launch a new hiring and career services platform that will offer a modern user experience for insurance job seekers, and a pipeline for p&c businesses and brokers of all sizes to find the right talent.

“The Institute has partnered with a Canadian platform service, Kibbi Technologies, to develop an insurance-focused portal that we hope will become the go-to destination for job seekers, as well as employers who are looking to fill roles across our industry in Canada,” said Nazlin Hirji, Vice President, Programs. “It will make it easier for job seekers to engage with businesses about new job opportunities and find a place to thrive in insurance.”

Rather than searching for jobs across multiple employment sites, our platform aims to become a one-stop shop for job seekers. They can create a profile, learn about prospective p&c employers of all sizes and sectors, upload their resume to a searchable talent directory for HR recruiters, and apply for jobs. It will also offer a mobile app that aligns the user’s activity seamlessly with the online platform, providing map-based job discovery, real-time alerts about roles that suit their skills, and news about networking opportunities.

For employers, our platform includes features that can be customized according to a company’s size, needs, and location – whether for large p&c companies or insurance firms such as restoration partners, brokers, and mutual insurers located in smaller communities. Through a subscription option, the platform can automatically collect postings from an employer’s own career site and consolidate them in our platform without additional administration, which is valuable for large organizations that regularly post new roles in high volumes.

Our new hiring and career services platform will be accessible to CIP Society members and the Insurance Career Connections audience of students, newcomers and career changers. It will also provide Insurance Career Connections with enhanced analytics tools that can unlock valuable insights into industry trends and further inform our industry talent gap programming.

All current employment postings on the Insurance Career Connections job site will be migrated into our new platform in time for its launch in April.

Stay tuned for updates about our new platform when it launches in April, and keep your eyes on the Insurance Career Connections website.

We welcome your views on these important topics. Please send your comments to ethics@insuranceinstitute.ca. Selected responses may be published in the next issue of The Pace.

Ethical dilemmas are not always dramatic. They are often subtle and situational. Should doing the right thing always be the goal or depend on who benefits?

This column was developed by Paul Griffin, based on an idea from the CIP Society Professional Ethics Committee.

Is There a Difference?

In a typical Canadian small town where most people know each other or know someone that is connected to someone else in town, we find the owner of a small insurance brokerage doing their weekend chores and shopping. The top two items on the shopping list include a new television set and a new lawnmower. After having thoroughly researched makes, models and prices for both items, the broker felt confident in their knowledge and imminent purchase decisions.

The first stop was a locally owned hardware store owned by a good friend (and insurance client). Having chosen the make and model of his desired lawnmower, the broker discovered the price tag was significantly below the typical, current market price. He advised the proprietor (his friend and client) who was shocked and checked his books. The broker was absolutely correct, and the lawnmower was priced well below average market price. The store owner was glad to have this drawn to his attention. He made an appropriate correction, was appreciative of the broker’s honesty, and their relationship was further strengthened.

The next stop was at a large, multinational retailer to purchase the television. Like the case of the lawnmower, the broker researched and had full knowledge of makes, models and prices. And similarly, the model he wanted was seriously underpriced, quite obviously mistakenly so. However, in this case the broker felt a measure of delight at having saved money and didn’t quite care that the large multi-national retailer might be losing money on this sale. But on the drive home, he started wondering why he was conflicted with his feelings about these two major purchases and his different reactions to both.

The following Monday, back in the office, a similar situation arose. A prospective client remarked how the premium quoted for their son’s auto insurance was considerably lower than what they found elsewhere. Upon further investigation, the broker agreed that the premium was remarkably low and obviously incorrect on the system, and he immediately reflected upon the past weekend’s transactions.

Should he bring this matter to the attention of the insurance carrier (a trusted partner), or just let it slide? Is there a difference when it is a close friend (such as the lawnmower retailer) or a large corporation (like the television retailer) and/or an insurance carrier? What about the implications for the client, or the marketplace and the strength of insurance companies, etc.? The broker froze for a moment while he pondered his next move.

We welcome your views on these important topics. Please send your comments to ethics@insuranceinstitute.ca. Selected responses may be published in the next issue of The Pace.

Simplified Rhind Bursary application experience

Applications for the 2026 Rhind Bursary are now open. This year’s process has been streamlined, with several updates to make applying faster. A single essay question and an automatic employer referral email are just two of the changes introduced this year.

Another key update is the new deadline: March 31 at midnight. With an easier process and a quick turnaround, applicants are encouraged to apply now.

The Rhind Bursary is available to two students per year and will cover the full cost of an Insurance Institute course, including required textbooks.

Eligibility is straightforward. Applicants must be employed in the insurance industry and must either be an active CIP Society member or a dependant of an active CIP Society member. Applicants must also show that their employer does not cover the cost of the course.

Fun fact:

DYK?

Did you know the global embedded insurance market is projected to hit US $722 billion by 2030, driven by customers choosing insurance right at the point of purchase - like when they buy a car, book a trip, or upgrade a phone?

Curious what this means for insurers?

You’ll love the full article in the CIP Society’s Quarterly Review on Embedded Insurance. And don’t forget, our archives are packed with great material worth exploring.

Fun fact:

There will be a quiz: The history of achievement

Dazzle your friends with your knowledge of insurance history at your next party. Did you know that the Insurance Institute of Canada was founded in 1899?

In 1899 John B. Laidlaw returned to Canada after a trip to the UK and, impressed by having seen the UK’s insurance institute, issued a call to his Canadian insurance peers suggesting they build a similar organization. After receiving responses from 230 industry colleagues, the Insurance Institute of Toronto, the forerunner to the Insurance Institute of Ontario, was born.

Other provinces followed suit. The Insurance Institute of Montreal was formed in 1900. The Insurance Institute of British Columbia and the Insurance Institute of Winnipeg were established in the 1920s.

In 1952 the Institutes joined in association with The Insurance Institute of Canada to establish a uniform standard of insurance education and examinations.

No wonder the IIC has industry collaboration in it’s DNA!

Don’t get left behind at the next game of trivia. Read the full story about your favourite and most recognized industry educator here.

It’s almost Membership Renewal time again

The membership year runs from June 1 to May 31, and at the beginning of May, we send out the 2026/2027 Membership Renewal notices. Prompt renewal of your Institute membership enables you to continue towards your educational goals and to receive exciting professional development opportunities along the way. As well as this, we’ll keep you up to date with the latest industry knowledge and news.

If your employer participates in our MemberDirect Membership Renewal Program, you might not receive an invoice yourself, as your HR team will be handling it. If you do receive an invoice, or if you are a member who is billed individually for your renewal, please respond promptly—we appreciate it. Keeping your employer information and other contact information up to date on your profile will ensure you receive your renewal invoice in a timely manner. Continued active membership will ensure that service interruptions are avoided and that you will always have access to the latest industry knowledge and news.

Have your contact details changed? Keep in touch so we can keep you up to date.

The Insurance Institute is here to help you enhance your professional life and keep you informed on the latest industry knowledge and exciting new opportunities. We’re always developing new seminars, courses, and events for industry professionals. However, to ensure we’re able to keep you in the loop, we need your current contact details.

Have you changed jobs? Do we have your e-mail address?

As with most organizations these days, the Institute communicates via email. If you haven’t received e-mails from us lately, chances are you need to update your email address. To do this just log in as a new or existing user, go to “My Profile,” and confirm or revise the information shown there—it’s quick and easy!

Goodbye winter, hello exams

Students can write their final exams through virtual proctoring or in person at one of the Institute’s examination centres.

Virtual proctoring works by a live virtual proctor observing you taking your exam through your webcam and helping you troubleshoot technical issues if necessary.

In-person exams can be written at your local institute office, or at a select few additional third-party centres. Choose your exam centre when you book your exam. If booking an in-person exam, book early, as capacity at these centres will be limited.

Upon registration, a booking confirmation email will be sent to you. Your exam details can be found in the exam portal once you have scheduled your exam.

Examinations in either format will be offered March 30 through April 15. You should schedule your exam immediately after registration.

Visit examinations for more information.

Good luck!