Ron Bouwmeister FCIP, ACS

Senior Manager, Property Claims, AVIVA, Lindsay, ON

“The measure of who you are is what you do with what you have” and Ron’s nominators unanimously agree that he is a testament to that fact. Ron has accomplished so much in his 30 years in the Insurance Industry. From his professional growth, commitment to continuing education and community involvement, he certainly stands out as an Established Leader.

Ron has spent his entire career in the Insurance Industry and in that time he has excelled in various roles and with various companies. At just 18 years of age, Ron began his career at the Dominion of Canada Insurance Company as a junior underwriter. Now he is the Senior Manager in Property Claims at AVIVA. Over the years he has occupied many leadership roles and is regarded as a “master coach and mentor,” according to his nominators.

Outside of the office, Ron’s presence is felt throughout the industry. He has served as the National President of the CICMA, and even served time as the Ontario Chapter President. He has also exemplified leadership as an industry representative in his roles on a number of committees working with CIP Society, the FSCO and IBC.

Ron also contributes to the industry in the classroom. He has been teaching for the Insurance Institute since 1988 and in 2006 he was awarded the Instructor of the Year Award. According to the nominators, “Ron brings out the very best in his students…Ron brings his class alive with active learning and he empowers his students.” Throughout his career Ron has also spent time teaching at the Mohawk College in Hamilton and at the Centennial College in Toronto. As a teaching colleague, he is known for mentoring new instructors and for offering to help whenever needed.

Not only does Ron give back to the industry, but he also leads by example through his volunteer work in the community. For the previous eight years, Ron has organized the AVIVA Stair Climb for the United Way. In this role he inspired more than 50 AVIVA employees to climb to the top of the CN Tower to raise money for the United Way. Ron is also a big supporter of the Starlight Foundation and according to the nominators he is happy to “do whatever it takes so the function is a success.”

Ron is the type of thoughtful and giving professional who goes that extra mile to make a difference when it really matters. At AVIVA, Ron helped coordinate the Dwayne Moss Annual Run, to commemorate the sudden passing of a colleague’s son. The run raises money for an annual bursary at Durham College in his memory.

According to the nominators, “Ron is a natural leader, with a real gift for working with people and inspiring others to greatness. He is a people person, and always willing to lend a hand when asked to get involved and support the team goals. Ron also does a great job of empowering others and getting the very best out of them to achieve superior results. He gets real pleasure out of watching others succeed and reach their goals.”

“Ron, the ‘Gentle Giant,’ is probably as nice, honest, dedicated and devoted an individual as you could meet. Whether it is for his career, an association, a charity or his family, he gives 150%. There is no one who is not a friend after meeting him. He is truly an individual that everyone wishes to have on their team.”

The CIP Society is extremely pleased to have the opportunity to acknowledge Ron’s achievements and to recognize him as an Established Leader. Congratulations!