SYMPOSIUM 2023: Leading Change

This annual event brings together bright minds who provoke engaging discussion about the future of our industry. We look forward to sharing these exciting conversations with you in person in April 2023.

Breakfast Keynote Speaker

Sarah Jordan 
CEO, Mastermind Toys

General Session

Catastrophe Reinsurance: Leading to a new equilibrium

The 2023 Catastrophe (Cat) reinsurance renewals are proving to be one of the most challenging in recent history. With the current state of global and national affairs, the question yet to be answered is: how will primary insurers be affected?

In this session, we will explore everything Cat reinsurance, from an explanation of the current situation to this year’s renewal season, volatility, aftermath, and more. Learn how the reinsurance landscape will impact you and your clients and what you can do about it.

This session will provide:
•  An understanding of how both global and domestic natural catastrophe events affect the reinsurance market
•  A better understanding of this year’s catastrophe treaty renewal season, including changing trends in capacity, coverage, and attachment
•  Discussion about forces affecting both market supply and demand and how these trends may continue into 2024
•  Explanation of how this may affect you and your clients

Speakers:

Peter Askew, MBA
President and CEO, Canada
Guy Carpenter & Company Ltd.

Craig Pinnock
Chief Financial Officer,
Northbridge Financial Corporation

Mélissa Plaxton
VP Underwriting,
CCR Re

Stephanie Russell
SVP, Chief Agent & Branch Manager
TransRe

 

 

Morning Breakout Sessions

(Choice of one)

1. Climate Change: Leading the initiatives

The insurance industry is a driver of change; but when it comes to climate change, what is the industry really doing? Although most of us understand the concept of climate change, understanding the reality of what climate change is and how we, as an industry, are responding is critical to running a socially responsible business.

Relevant to all professionals in the p&c market, this session seeks to explain how insurers are being proactive instead of reactive when it comes to climate change. This session also seeks to identify how insurers are keeping their promises and momentum in their business practices.

After attending this session, you will leave with a deeper understanding of:
•  What insurers are doing to help other industries support climate initiatives
•  How the industry is supporting the transformation of companies moving towards a sustainable energy focus
•  What we are doing to follow through with our own commitments
•  What materials, resources, and/or projects the industry is developing to solve climate change challenges

Moderator:

Glenn McGillivray
Managing Director, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction

Speakers:

Yvonne Steiner
Head, Property Lines
Senior Vice President, Zurich Canada

Natalia Moudrak
Climate Resiliency Leader
Aon Public Sector Partnership, Aon Center

Court Elliott
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Aviva Canada

2. Evolving Workforce: Leading the future

An organization is only as strong as its workforce, and in today’s climate, maintaining the harmony of a workforce is critical to ensuring success. As organizations prepare for a large cohort of their workforce to retire, they must strike a balance of ushering in a new generation while carefully protecting and transferring the institutional knowledge of their existing workforce.

In this session, we will explore a variety of employment related topics, with a specific focus on how the industry is set up for the future. The insurance industry is experiencing one of the most demanding employment landscapes in recent history, and this session will examine what the insurance industry can do to act on and remedy possible changes and challenges in equitable, socially responsible ways.

After attending this session, you will walk away with:
•  Strategies on the transfer of knowledge and employee retention
•  A better understanding of where the industry is projected to go in terms of workforce diversity
•  A better awareness of your unconscious bias to foster diversity
•  Strategies employers can put into place to remain competitive, satisfy their current employees, and attract new talent

Speakers:

Jonathan Weekes
Senior Vice President, Cyber Practice Leader
Hub International Canada

France Dufresne
Canadian Market Leader – Employee Experience & M&A, WTW

Zahra Hirji
Leadership Coach, Consultant & Facilitator
The Talent Company

Allan Cole
Casualty Facultative Manager
Canada, Gen Re

 

 

Lunch Keynote

Benjamin Tal
Managing Director and Deputy Chief Economist, CIBC

Leaders Unscripted

Speakers:

Heather Matthews
Chief Client Officer, Canada
Crawford & Company (Canada) Inc.

Colette Taylor
Chief Operating Officer
Sovereign Insurance

Rob Marsh
President
Liberty Mutual Canada

Maz Moini
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
NovaRisk Inc.

 

 

Agenda (EST)

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