Frederik Pelaez, BEng, MBA, FCIP, CRM, CIB

Client Executive, BFL CANADA, Montreal, QC

In nine years, Frederik Pelaez has accomplished what it takes many others an entire career to complete. Frederik first entered the insurance industry as an intern at the young age of 21. He was still a student and had no previous experience but quickly caught the attention of his company’s executive team. The qualities that make him stand out include his intellectual curiosity, his professionalism and his strong work ethic.

Frederik joined Aon Reed Stenhouse while he was finishing his Bachelor Degree in Engineering at Polytechnic School of Montreal.
He was soon offered a permanent position within Aon’s Risk Control Department, and later, the brokerage division. Motivated to learn more about the industry, he completed the AMF exams and obtained his commercial and personal lines damage insurance broker’s licenses. He pursued his CIP, FCIP and CRM training in record time, taking less than half of the 48 months scheduled in the Aon’s professional development program.

Frederik joined Willis in 2006 and was promoted to assistant vice-president shortly after his arrival. He was heavily involved with the high profile entertainment accounts of the firm. Back at Aon in 2010 he was promoted to vice president strategic sales for the Quebec region; an impressive achievement at 27. Bright, ambitious and highly capable, he was working on some of the firm’s largest accounts.

“Frederik is a person who has a great deal of knowledge and skills combined with outstanding personal qualities,” says one of his supporters. “He uses his analytical skills and innovative views to quickly identify and understand the key issues of business opportunities.”

When Frederik decided to get his MBA at HEC Montreal, his two largest clients, which year after year appear at the top of Canada’s most admired companies, supported his application. During his program Frederik took the opportunity to share his passion for the insurance industry with his fellow classmates and professors. His professor of international business/campus abroad program was so impressed with his knowledge and experience that she invited him as a guest speaker to present about the insurance industry to an international management class the following semester.

In early 2011, Frederik accepted the position of client executive at BFL CANADA, where he oversees business development in several key industries, manages a portfolio of accounts, heads the social media committee and is a member of BFL’s Risk Management team. He has since engaged BFL in the “HEC Challenge,” an applied consulting project with HEC Montreal, which provides MBA students the opportunity to work on real business cases, and gives employers increased visibility. Frederik has also recently supervised three new hires and represented BFL at the Cégep du Vieux Montréal’s commercial insurance employee fair, helping to start promising new careers in the industry.

Outside of the industry, Frederik is equally entrepreneurial and dedicated, supporting various causes including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund, the United Way and the Sainte-Justine UHC Foundation. While completing his MBA, he mobilized his fellow students and organized a bursary fund to help future MBA candidates experiencing financial difficulties, a program commended by HEC Montreal Alumni Foundation’s Director who described Frederik’s initiative as an outstanding and inspiring turnkey project.

Frederik Pelaez continues to put his heart into everything he does, with great results. It is a great honour for the CIP Society to celebrate Frederik’s achievements and award him this year’s Emerging Leadership Award.