Mathieu Gagnon, C.d’A.Ass., PAA, CRM

General Insurance Broker, Vezina Assurances Inc., Montreal, QC

In the ten years since Mathieu Gagnon began his career in the insurance industry he has accomplished a great deal within his company, his industry and his community.

Now as a general insurance broker with Vézina Assurances, he distinguishes himself at work with his large client base, his growing leadership in the niche of advanced technology, and relationship with his clients. Recently, Mathieu’s clients gave him a perfect score on the company’s customer service survey.

Mathieu’s commitment to his profession can be seen in his many accomplishments outside of work. He is a founding member and past president of L’Association de la relève en assurance du Québec – Montreal section (LARAQ) where he has worked to promote our industry and to recruit young professionals to careers in the insurance industry. His leadership “was responsible for the development of an association that has now become a mature and blooming association,” say his nominator.

He is also the founder of the Youth Commission of the Chamber of Commerce and industry of St-Laurent. And in 2008, Mathieu was invited to join the Executive Committee of the Regroupement des jeunes chambres de commerce du Québec (RJCCQ), which was quite an honour. He served as a member of the board of directors and as Vice-president of Financial Development. This organization represents Quebec’s young professional population and is a venue wherein Mathieu promotes our industry to professionals in other sectors.

In 2009, he was an active member of the Regroupement des cabinets de courtage d’assurance du Québec (RCCAQ) lobbying against revisions to the Bank Act. Mathieu had the opportunity to demonstrate his professional integrity and commitment when Canadian Parliament debated revising the Bank Act. After months of presentations to Parliament, Canada’s minister of finance announced that the law on the distribution of insurance products remained unchanged. This was a proud victory for RRCAQ and its team, to which Mathieu made an exceptional contribution.

“Mathieu is representative of what a future leader should be and must accomplish to become an inspiring leader. He is dedicated and honest and he brings commitment and rigour to his work,” says his nominator.

He believes that new comers to the industry must work together to attract future talent. In a speech delivered to the Cercle de l’assurance, Mathieu confirmed his commitment to “young people supporting young people, and a succession willing to ensure the continuity of our industry in a professional and dynamic way.”

The CIP Society is very pleased to acknowledge Mathieu Gagnon as an Emerging Leader.