INDUSTRIAL ALLIANCE INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Financial Group 's Executive Vice - President and Chief Investment Officer
Alain Bergeron has been iA Financial Group's Executive Vice-President and Chief Investment Officer since September 2019. As such, he is responsible for managing the company's investment portfolio. His responsibilities include managing and supervising the assets in the general fund and the investment funds.
Alain is known as a high integrity investor with a passion and track-record for delivering best-in-class portfolios and high performing investment teams. He brings a rare combination of experience in institutional investments and pension plans, together with experience and understanding of retail wealth needs that help iA and its clients achieve their financial goals.
Before he came to iA Financial Group, Mr. Bergeron was Senior Vice-President and Portfolio Manager at a leading asset manager. Previously, he worked for over ten years for CPP Investments (the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board), where he served as Vice-President and head of Global Tactical Asset Allocation. Alain Bergeron graduated from HEC Montréal, where he received a Master of Sciences (M.Sc.) in financial engineering and a bachelor's degree in finance and quantitative methods. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Market Technician (CMT).
Alain Bergeron has been involved in the financial community for many years, including serving on the Board of Directors for CFA Toronto and teaching at both HEC Montréal and the Rotman School of Management. He has also been published in academic journals including the Journal of Portfolio Management and the Journal of Alternative Investments.
Job Titles:
- Director, National Accounts - Group Insurance
Annick has been in the group insurance industry for over 25 years and has been part of the iA Financial Group team since 2008. She holds two diplomas from Université Laval in human resources management and organizational change leadership.
Over the years, Annick has developed a solid expertise and today handles service for major national clients. Annick stands out with her clients for her sense of service, but above all for her availability and her ability to meet her clients' needs.
Louis Têtu is President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Coveo Solutions Inc., an artificial intelligence customer experience software company. Mr. Têtu co-founded Taleo Corporation, a company that was acquired by Oracle in 2012, and held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors from the company's inception in 1999 through 2007.
Prior to working for Taleo Corporation, Mr. Têtu was president of Baan Supply Chain Solutions, an international enterprise resource planning software company.
Mr. Têtu is a mechanical engineering graduate from Université Laval and was honoured by the university in 1997 for his outstanding social contributions and business achievements. He received the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award in the Technology and Communication category. Mr. Têtu has served on the Board of Directors of Alimentation Couche-Tard inc. since 2019 and is also Chair of the Board of Petal Solutions Inc., a social platform developer for the medical sector.
He also served on the Board of Directors of l'Entraide Assurance-vie, a mutual insurance company, from 1998 until 2009, when it was acquired by Union Life, a mutual insurance company, and on the Board of Directors of Aéroport de Québec inc. from 2013 to 2019.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Corporate Director
- President
Benoit Daignault is a corporate director. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of EDC between February 2014 and February 2019. Prior to this appointment, Mr. Daignault served as Senior Vice President, Financing and Investments, after having served as Senior Vice President, Business Development. Prior to joining EDC in 2004, Mr. Daignault worked for more than 10 years at General Electric Capital, where he held increasingly senior positions in both Canada and the United States.
Mr. Daignault holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from HEC Montréal and is a designated Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He completed the Proteus Programme at the London Business School and the Senior Executive Program at Columbia University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Conference Board of Canada.
Caroline has a Bachelor's of Business Administration with a focus on human resources. She began her career in human resources at a computer company but she wanted more career advancement opportunities. That's why she joined iA Financial Group six years ago. Currently a recruiting advisor, she enjoys working on different types of innovative projects, like the HR system integration project. She also enjoys helping our managers find the best talent on the market.
Job Titles:
- Employee Experience Advisor
Holder of an MBA in management and member of the Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés, Catherine has been at iA Financial Group since 2010. She's had various roles within the Human Resources team and is currently a senior global health advisor. Her career path has given her an understanding of the company's culture and practices, and keeps her abreast of market trends. Catherine is convinced that employees' overall health is a major contributor to their appreciation of their work at iA Financial Group. With health-related services, resources and initiatives, she wants to make a tangible contribution to employees' personal and professional wellbeing.
After working for around 10 years in donations and sponsorships, Catherine joined iA Financial Group in 2016. Since 2018, moved by her desire to make a difference in people's lives, she has worked as a philanthropy advisor. Her role involves developing the various facets of our community engagement across Canada. She happily welcomes the philanthropic initiatives of our employees and the general public, and when they are in line with our donations policy, she ensures they receive not just financial support, but also concrete, mobilizing assistance to ensure their long-term success. Her ultimate mission: for all of us to take joint action for our communities.
Charles holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree with concentration in accounting, as well as a Master's degree in Taxation. He also holds financial planner and Trust and Estate Practitioner (TEP) designations and has over ten years of experience, specifically as a financial planner and group savings representative. He currently works as a tax specialist with the Advanced Financial and Tax Solutions team.
Danielle G. Morin has extensive experience in finance, including more than 35 years of experience in various sectors of the financial services industry. She worked for Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada from 1977 until 1990 and for the Laurentian Imperial Company from 1990 until 1994, where she was Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. She then worked for Desjardins Group in the group pensions and pooled investment funds areas, before joining Canagex Inc., a Desjardins Group investment subsidiary, as Vice President, Finance and Operations, in 1999.
In 2001, she joined the Public Sector Pension Investment Board as Senior Vice President of Financial Operations. Ms. Morin then worked as Senior Vice President, Distribution and Client Services, at Standard Life Investments Inc., from 2006 until 2013. Ms. Morin has also been on the boards of ASSURIS, Standard Life Investments Inc., Université Laval and the Fondation de l'Université Laval.
She graduated from the Institute of Corporate Directors and obtained her bachelor's degree in actuarial science from Université Laval. She was a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries from 1980 to 2019.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President
- CEO and Philosopher
- President and Chief Executive Officer of IA Financial Group
- President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation
- Reporters
On September 1 st, 2018, Denis Ricard assumed his new role: president and chief executive officer at iA Financial Group, a role synonymous with great responsibilities for a man who, now more than ever, is bound by a sense of duty.
Denis Ricard, President and Chief Executive Officer, will meet with reporters at a press conference that will take place immediately following the annual meeting, at around 3:30 p.m. (ET)
Denis Ricard has been President and Chief Executive Officer of iA Financial Group since September 2018. He is an engaged leader who values the development of people in a learning, socially responsible organization.
He is responsible for strategic planning and ensuring the company's sustainable growth, taking into account the interests of shareholders, clients, employees and the communities in which the company operates. He is recognized as an experienced team builder, passionate about new challenges and dedicated to iA Financial Group's long-term goals.
Mr. Ricard began his career at iA Financial Group in 1985, after completing his degree in actuarial science at Université Laval. Over the years, he has assumed positions of increasing responsibility, from actuarial to business development to corporate management. He is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) and of the Society of Actuaries (FSA).
Denis Ricard has been actively involved in the community for many years. He currently serves on the campaign cabinet of Fondation CERVO, which supports care for mental health issues and research in neuroscience. He is also a member of the campaign cabinet for the Fondation IUCPQ whose primary mission is the health of people with cardiovascular, respiratory and obesity-related diseases. He also serves as honourary chair for various charitable events and campaigns, including the Musée des sciences and the Musée de la civilisation Foundation in Québec City.
Denis Ricard is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, a position that he has held since September 1, 2018. Mr. Ricard began his career with the Corporation in 1985, where he assumed several positions. In 2003, he became Vice President, Marketing, and then in March 2004, Senior Vice President and Chief Actuary, a role that he held until April 2010. He then became Senior Vice President, Business Development. In 2015, he was promoted to Executive Vice President, Individual Insurance and Annuities until November 2017, when he became Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Ricard is also a director of certain subsidiaries of the Corporation, including, most notably, Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. Mr. Ricard obtained a bachelor's degree in actuarial science from Université Laval in 1985 and, in 1988, he became a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and of the Society of Actuaries. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA) and Chair of its Quebec chapter.
Denis Ricard has been involved in the community for many years. He currently serves on the campaign cabinet of Fondation CERVO, which supports care for mental health issues and research in neuroscience. He is also a member of the campaign cabinet for the Fondation IUCPQ whose primary mission is the health of people with cardiovascular, respiratory and obesity-related diseases. He also serves as honourary chair for various charitable events and campaigns, including the Énergie Scolaire program for the Fondation Forces AVENIR, empowering students to be responsible citizens.
Emma K. Griffin is a corporate director. Since November 2017, she acts as director of Claridge Inc., a private investment company. She is also a director at Solotech, an organization that offers audiovisual and entertainment technology services and St. James's Place PLC, an FTSE 100 wealth manager. In October 2020, Ms. Griffin joined the Board of Directors of SDCL Energy Efficiency Income Trust PLC, an investor in the energy efficiency sector and, in December 2020, of ED&F Man Holdings Limited, a marketer of agricultural products. From December 2015 to November 2018, she was a director and strategic advisor for Golder Associates, a global organization offering environmental services.
From January 2016 to June 2019, Ms. Griffin was also a director of Aimia Inc. From January 2014 to June 2015, she was managing director and co-founder of Refined Selection Limited, a holding company created to invest in the professional services and recruitment industries. From 2002 to 2013, Ms. Griffin was a founding partner of Oriel Securities, a core brokerage firm recognized for its independence and for providing trusted advice, which was sold to Stifel Financial Corp. in the summer of 2014.
Until November 2016, Ms. Griffin was also Chair of the board of Cancer Research UK's Catalyst Club, a pioneering venture that raises money for personalized medicine research. She holds an MA from Oxford University.
Job Titles:
- Claim Adjuster - Auto and Home Insurance
Fanny has been with iA Financial Group for almost ten years. For the first three years of her career in insurance, she was a general insurance agent. She then became a claim adjuster and switched to the compensation side of the business. Her strong desire to help people led her to become a training officer. Today, Fanny is a reference for iA Financial Group claim adjusters and she stands out through her involvement in and passion for her field.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice - President
- Member of the Executive Committee
François Blais has charted his course with iA for 15 years.
It was in May 2004, just after graduating with a degree in actuarial science from Université Laval, that François Blais joined the ranks at iA Auto and Home. Apart from a brief interruption in 2017-2018, when he accepted a role as Vice-President and Chief Data and Analytics Officer at the iA head office, François has been a part of the iAAH team for over 15 years, eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer in 2018, then President and Chief Operating Officer in 2019. In May 2020, he was entrusted with new responsibilities within iA Financial Group, in addition to his existing ones, taking on the role of Executive Vice President, Dealer Services and Special Risks.
Is this proof that he's in the right place? "Absolutely", confirms the man who, in the same breath, admits that he hesitated between chiropractic and actuarial science when he chose his degree. "In the end, I decided that I would not be able to stay away from the numbers. The human connection that I also need, I can find somewhere else, like in my workplace relationships, for example." François is committed to embodying the human values he needs to find balance in the workplace. "Family values are important to me, so I try to transpose them at work", he explains. "Interpersonal loyalty, confidence, open-mindedness, respect. These are needed to have a healthy and pleasant workplace. I think that when the entire team works with no fear and feels psychologically secure, that's when everyone's best comes out."
In this climate that encourages fulfilment and hatching ideas, François prefers to "imagine a vision, a direction for the company, then, be able to rally people around that vision. I like taking an idea, a concept, and, with the team, helping it mature. That's what motivates me the most."
His coworkers know… when François has an idea, there are always signs: "From the moment I have an idea that I want to run with, I can't help but smile. It's a sign of what's to come! It's obvious that I have an idea brewing that will become a reality!"
In this process, the President and Chief Operating Officer identifies himself as rational and creative. "Rational, because I'm generally someone who is calm and reserved. I often find myself in very actively listening mode", he clarifies. "I don't talk a lot, but when I do, it's because I've considered the sum of several ideas, so it has more impact. Active listening gives me the ability to establish links where there don't appear to be any", he continues. "Creative, because I come up with unifying ideas that are off the beaten track and beyond traditional patterns. Ideas that are at the same time quite rational, because they can be applied concretely and generate results."
So, what is this father of three young daughters most proud of? "I think it's balance! Having an exciting, demanding career and also having time for my family." For François, balance is fundamental: "Work is good, my family is good, and I can pursue my passions. Overall, I think that's quite an accomplishment!"
What legacy would he want to leave to his daughters? "That it's very important to always do what you love and not be afraid to try things you're less familiar with. Never be afraid to learn."
François Blais has been our Executive Vice-President, Dealer Services and Special Risks since May 2020. Mr. Blais has been working at iA Financial Group since May 2004.
He has held several positions at iA Auto and Home, including President and Chief Operating Officer. Recognized for his ability to combine creativity and rationality, he stands out as a leader with his inspiring ideas that venture off the beaten track and drive his team to reinvent itself. Bringing people together towards a common goal is one of his passions that he applies in his everyday professional life, both in the insurance and financial services industry and in his community involvement.
Mr. Blais received a bachelor's degree in actuarial science from Université Laval in 2004. He also became a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society in 2007 and of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries in 2009. Mr. Blais has supported the Canadian Red Cross for many years.
Job Titles:
- Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Aéroports De Montréal
Ginette Maillé has been Vice President, Finance and Administration and Chief Financial Officer at Aéroports de Montréal since April 2017. Ms. Maillé has more than 30 years of financial, operational and strategic experience in startups and large companies, both private and publicly listed (TSX and NASDAQ), operating nationally and internationally. In particular, she was with Yellow Pages Ltd. for 14 years, where she held the position of Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer to later be promoted to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. She has also held several management positions in the field of information technology, particularly in the area of digital transformation.
A Chartered Professional Accountant, Ms. Maillé holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science from Université du Québec à Montréal. She sat on the board of Financial Executives International Canada (Quebec chapter) from 2014 to 2017. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of La Fondation Le Chaînon.
Jacques Martin has been the Chair of the Board since September 2018. He is a corporate director and currently a member of the Board of Directors of RGA Life Reinsurance Company of Canada.
He spent 17 years at Goldman Sachs in London and New York where he was Managing Director and Head of International Equities at the time of his departure in 2003. From 2004 until 2008, he was Senior Vice President, International Equities, based in New York, for the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Quebec.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University and a Bachelor of Law from Université de Montréal. Mr. Martin also holds an MBA and a certificate in corporate governance from INSEAD. He is a member of the Quebec Bar.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- IA Financial Group 's Executive Vice - President, CFO and Chief
Jacques Potvin is an unassuming team player whose conscientious efforts ensure the strength and prosperity of iA Financial Group.
If the senior managers of iA Financial Group were a hockey team, Jacques Potvin would definitely play defense. "An offensive defenseman!", insists the Executive Vice-President, CFO and Chief Actuary. "I'm not the guy to put it in the net, even if I can. Instead, I'm there to support the attack, restart the play and go the extra mile", illustrates the guard dog of the Canadian insurance and wealth management company's financial strength.
Jacques Potvin oversees Actuarial Services, Accounting Services and Taxation, Investor Relations, Legal Services and Material Resources. In short, he has many responsibilities. Despite everything, he doesn't feel the pressure to perform. "My trick is to enjoy my work. I'm convinced that you can be serious while having fun, even if it seems contradictory", he explains. In his spare time, this fun-loving man enjoys fishing, gardening, and cooking.
During his journey at iA Financial Group, he has worn many hats and occupied many positions. For example, in 1994, he moved from Actuarial Services to IT, where he recalls being "left behind on the very first day". He immediately learned to swallow his pride and leave his comfort zone to the benefit of the Group's insureds and investors. "It's like they're my family: there's no doubt that I want to treat them well", he concludes.
Jacques Potvin has been iA Financial Group's Executive Vice-President, CFO and Chief Actuary since February 2018. He is responsible for ensuring the company's sound financial management and long-term financial sustainability. He is also responsible for corporate fundraising activities.
Mr. Potvin leads the Actuarial, Accounting and Taxation, Investor Relations and Public Affairs, Legal Services and Material Resources sectors.
Jacques Potvin has a degree in actuarial science from Université Laval and has FSA and FCIA designations. He started his career at iA Financial Group in 1990. He has held various senior positions in the organization, including Chief Risk Officer; Vice-President, Marketing, Life and Individual Annuity; and Vice-President, Brokerage Sales, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. These various roles, both in operations and support, have given him an in-depth knowledge of the entire Group.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice - President
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Executive Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Development
Lilia Sham has served as Executive Vice-President, Corporate Strategy and Development since 2019. She previously held senior positions with other financial organizations in Canada and the United States. Ms. Sham has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions in North America, Latin America and Asia.
In addition to formalizing the company's strategic planning process and leading the development of the strategy, Lilia Sham is responsible for communicating it across the organization to ensure transparency and accountability as well as alignment with the company's standards and objectives. She is also responsible for leading the Diversity and Inclusion initiative, which aims to build a team at iA Financial Group that is as diverse as the people and communities the company serves across North America.
Ms. Sham holds a Master of Science degree from Rutgers University in New Jersey and is a member of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA).
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Member of the Board of Directors
- President
Louis Têtu is President, Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Coveo Solutions Inc., an artificial intelligence customer experience software company. Mr. Têtu co-founded Taleo Corporation, a company that was acquired by Oracle in 2012, and held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors from the company's inception in 1999 through 2007.
Prior to working for Taleo Corporation, Mr. Têtu was president of Baan Supply Chain Solutions, an international enterprise resource planning software company.
Mr. Têtu is a mechanical engineering graduate from Université Laval and was honoured by the university in 1997 for his outstanding social contributions and business achievements. He received the 2006 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award in the Technology and Communication category. Mr. Têtu has served on the Board of Directors of Alimentation Couche-Tard inc. since 2019 and is also Chair of the Board of Petal Solutions Inc., a social platform developer for the medical sector.
He also served on the Board of Directors of l'Entraide Assurance-vie, a mutual insurance company, from 1998 until 2009, when it was acquired by Union Life, a mutual insurance company, and on the Board of Directors of Aéroport de Québec inc. from 2013 to 2019.
Job Titles:
- Skills Development Advisor - IA Auto and Home
Louise has worked at iA Auto and Home for 12 years. She started her career in insurance as a general insurance agent, and has grown by working in a variety of roles within the company. Her career path, which has included positions in sales, customer service and management, along with her education in communications have made her an ideal candidate to become a skills development advisor. For the past four years, Louise has been putting in place strategies to ensure that general insurance agents are developing the skills they need.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Director
- Senior Executive
Ludwig Willisch is an accomplished senior executive and corporate director with 40 years of success spanning automotive, finance and economics. Mr. Willisch has spent over 20 years holding positions of increasing responsibility with BMW, including Head of BMW Japan, Head of Sales Region Europe of BMW Group, President and CEO of BMW of North America LLC, and Head of BMW Group Region Americas. In that capacity, he was responsible for all sales, marketing, after-sales and distribution activities of BMW Group in the Americas (North and South America plus Caribbean).
Mr. Willisch holds a Diplom-Volkswirt (equivalent to a master's degree) in economics from the University of Cologne. He has held board positions with BMW (US) Holding Corp., BMW NA, and Designworks/USA, Inc. In addition, he has served as Vice Chairman of the German American Chamber of Commerce and as a member of the Manufacturing Council to the United States Secretary of Commerce. Ludwig currently serves on the Board of HYDAC Corp. Bethlehem PA (non-executive). He is a member of the Automotive Advisory Board of Roechling SE, Mannheim, Germany. Furthermore, he is on the board of the American Council on Germany, New York. Ludwig is also a business advisor to the consulting company Accenture.
Job Titles:
- Employee Experience Advisor
Léa studied industrial relations and began her career at an employment agency. Wanting to immerse herself in a company culture, she came to iA Financial Group, where, after working as a recruiting advisor for 6 years, she's now dedicating herself to the employee experience, as an advisor. Currently responsible for several projects related to improving the employee experience, she loves collaborating with our managers and is always looking for that "WOW" factor. Her goal is to help all the company's employees across North America embody the company's values and have an ideal work experience.
Marc Poulin currently serves as a corporate director. Mr. Poulin was a senior-level manager in the food industry in Canada. Over the last 19 years he was at Sobeys Inc., he held, successively, the roles of Vice President, Purchasing and Merchandising, Executive Vice President and Assistant General Manager (Quebec), Head of Operations for Quebec and, from 2012 to 2016, President and Chief Executive Officer.
He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Empire Company Limited from 2012 to 2016. Prior thereto, Mr. Poulin had held the strategic positions of Vice President at Groupe Vie Desjardins-Laurentienne and at Culinar. Mr. Poulin is a member of the Board of Directors of the Montreal Heart Institute Foundation. He is also a director and member of the Human Resources Committees of Richelieu Hardware Ltd. and Sportscene Group Inc.
He holds a bachelor's degree in actuarial science from Université Laval and an MBA from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management in Evanston (Illinois).
Job Titles:
- Talent Acquisition and Internal Mobility Advisor
Marie-Eve holds a bachelor's degree in industrial relations and started her career as a student recruiter at the Université Laval campus in Quebec City. Human resources management has always been at the heart of her career path, which has taken her from events planning to team management to staffing agencies, and finally on to iA Financial Group.
Currently a talent acquisition and internal mobility advisor, she loves working on varied and innovative projects. Her mission? To help iA Financial Group managers fully develop their team's current and future talents.
Mario Albert held the position of Executive Vice President and responsible for modernizing systems in the group insurance sector at La Capitale from 2017 until his retirement in 2020. Prior to that, he held several management positions in private, public and parapublic organizations in Quebec. In particular, he was General Manager of Finance Montréal, a not-for-profit corporation formed by financial institutions doing business in Quebec and aimed at the development and influence of the Quebec financial sector. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of Investissement Québec and worked at the Autorité des marchés financiers, where he served as Superintendent, Distribution and, subsequently, as President and Chief Executive Officer. As part of this role, he was a member of the Board of Directors of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and Chairman of its Audit Committee. Before joining the Autorité des marchés financiers, Mr. Albert was Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for fiscal policy and the economy at the Quebec Ministry of Finance.
Mr. Albert began his career at the Department of Finance Canada in 1982. After holding positions of increasing responsibility, he was Chief, Canadian Economic Forecasting.
Mr. Albert studied at Université Laval where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Economics in 1979. He also completed the Master's degree program in Economics at Laval University in 1982.
Job Titles:
- Chief Growth Officer
- Executive Vice - President
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Team Leader
Stickney says he "believes in iA's values of longevity and loyalty," and is still looking for ways to contribute and grow.
"I don't know what happened. For years, I was the youngest guy at meetings. Now I'm the oldest guy in the room!" says 64 year-old Michael Stickney, President of iA American Life Insurance Company, speaking from his office in Scottsdale, Arizona. Although Stickney hasn't seen the time pass in his 40 years in the insurance business, he feels he still has a lot to contribute.
Michael Stickney "entered the iA" world 20 years ago while he was working for Seaboard Life in Vancouver (acquired by iA in 1999). When iA purchased American Life Insurance Company in Waco, Texas, in 2010, the door opened for an exciting change. "If we were ever going to succeed in the U.S., I knew I had to move out of Vancouver," says, Stickney who moved south and opened an office in Scottsdale that year.
Working from Arizona, Stickney applies some of the same lessons he learned when he was based in Vancouver, itself far from iA's head office in Quebec. "Eastern and Western Canada are very different. To operate in Western Canada you need to have people there, to spend time there," he says. "You need to build relationships with local people, whether sales people or others in the business. I think building these kinds of relationships is one thing we do well as a company."
Stickney's career in the insurance business started with a passion for math. A Whitehorse, Yukon native, he grew up in Vancouver, where he studied math in university before writing his actuarial exams. He got his first job in the insurance business before even completing the exams. Yet after several decades in the business, Stickney wanted to broaden his skills beyond calculation. "Actuarial work is very detail oriented. And as much as I could do it, I was starting to have to force myself to."
Stickney completed an MBA in the early 1990s, while he was CFO at Seaboard Life Insurance in Vancouver. "The MBA opened up my eyes to the other things that go on in business that are just as important as the technical and financial aspects." When he was 44, iA offered him a job running different Vancouver-based businesses. "Shifting into a general business and marketing role was great. It's been like a second career for me. I really enjoy it."
In Scottsdale, Stickney enjoys golf and hiking and running, and travels extensively with his wife. "We have seen most of Europe, and a lot of the U.S. as well." He still has roots in Vancouver, where two of his three grown children live: his daughter works for a business that insures movie productions and son is a partner in a lobby firm in Vancouver. Stickney's other son works as Chief of Staff for the Minister of Supply and Procurement in Ottawa.
Stickney says he "believes in iA's values of longevity and loyalty," and is still looking for ways to contribute and grow. "I enjoy working with younger people and I feel like I'm connecting to them whether they want input or guidance. iA really values teamwork and that's part of how I'm wired."
Michael L. Stickney has served as Executive Vice-President and Chief Growth Officer since September 2019. He oversees growth initiatives for all of the company's business segments, both in Canada and the United States. He is also responsible for the U.S. operations.
Mr. Stickney has a strong track record in building successful businesses and benefits from a deep knowledge of the company's businesses and many years of industry experience.
Mr. Stickney started his career in the insurance industry in 1976 and held various insurance-related positions. He joined iA Financial Group in 1999 when the company completed its acquisition of Seaboard Life. Prior to assuming responsibility for the U.S. operations, he led the Dealer Services and Special Markets Solutions divisions. Mr. Stickney has been involved in the developing of businesses and making a significant contribution to results. The U.S. operations, for example, have experienced strong growth organically and through acquisitions under his leadership.
Michael L. Stickney holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and an MBA from the University of British Columbia. He is also a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.
Monique Mercier is a corporate director. During her career, she has held various executive roles in the telecommunications and technology industry. From 2014 until she retired in December 2018, she held the position of Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Legal and Governance Officer at TELUS. She oversaw legal and regulatory affairs, government relations, media, real estate and sustainable development. She began her career at Stikeman Elliott as a tax lawyer in 1984. She then worked at BCE and Bell Canada International before joining Emergis in 1999, which was acquired by TELUS in 2008.
Ms. Mercier holds a degree from the Faculty of Law at Université de Montréal and a master's degree in political science from Oxford University, where she was awarded the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship. In June 2018, Ms. Mercier received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Canadian General Counsel Awards. In 2016, she was honoured as Woman of the Year by the organization Women in Communications and Technology (WCT).
In 2015, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the Women's Executive Network Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada. Ms. Mercier sits on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Canada, Innergex Renewable Energy Inc. and Alamos Gold Inc.
She gives back to the community through her involvement on the Boards of Directors of the Canadian Cancer Research Society and the Thoracic Surgery Research Foundation of Montreal.
Job Titles:
- Chief Strategist at Google Search
- Investor in Silicon Valley
Nicolas Darveau-Garneau is Chief Strategist at Google Search. Prior to that, he was Director of Sales at Google in charge of a $1.2 billion division. He started with Google as Manager of the Montreal Office. Prior to Google, Mr. Darveau-Garneau was an Internet entrepreneur, consultant and investor.
Since 1995, he has co-founded many Internet companies, including Imix.com, BigDeal and Liquor.com. Mr. Darveau-Garneau is also an angel investor in Silicon Valley, California. He worked as a business analyst at McKinsey & Co. in Montreal and senior analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., LLC in New York. He specializes in marketing and Internet product development.
He holds an MBA with honours from Harvard Business School and a bachelor's degree in mathematics from University of Waterloo. Since 2012, he has been a director of several not-for-profit organizations.
Job Titles:
- Chief Risk Officer
- Executive Vice - President
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Executive Vice - President and Chief Risk Officer of IA Financial Group
Philippe Sarfati has been Executive Vice-President and Chief Risk Officer of iA Financial Group since September 2021. He has over 30 years of experience in risk management and has worked with major companies and a regulatory body in the financial sector.
His experience includes the design and improvement of risk management frameworks for several large organizations in North America. Mr. Sarfati has also provided strategic leadership in several roles, managing teams with complex mandates.
He has two bachelor degrees, in economics and commerce, and an MBA in finance and international commerce from the HEC Montréal business school.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Executive Vice - President and Chief Transformation Officer
For 12 years, Mr. Miron has been involved with a foundation that supports a cause that was still taboo. "I wasn't looking for a popular cause", he states. "I'm a rather discreet person. What I wanted was to make a difference."
Pierre Miron was appointed as Executive Vice-President and Chief Transformation Officer in August 2021. Previously, he had been Executive Vice-President, Information Technology since August 2018.
Mr. Miron is responsible for managing and steering the Transformation Bureau, which is tasked with simplifying and improving the organization's efficiency. This transformation includes clarifying and architecting the roles and mandates of the various sectors in line with the company's digital transformation objectives. All activities related to information technology, client experience and employee experience are under his responsibility.
His contribution to the development and evolution of iA Financial Group includes improving the efficiency of various business lines through the appropriate use of technology and process optimization. He also supports business growth objectives, operational efficiency and personnel development and evolution.
Pierre Miron is on the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee for Finance Montréal as well as the board of Forces AVENIR. He is also a consultant supporting Sollio Cooperative Group's information technology committee and has supported various community organizations for many years, including FitSpirit and the United Way.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Executive Vice - President, Individual Insurance
- Executive Vice - President, Individual Insurance, Savings and Retirement
Renée Laflamme puts her incredible energy at the disposal of iA Financial Group, a company that she's propelled to excellence for over 20 years
Renée Laflamme is a veritable dynamo. As Executive Vice-President, Individual Insurance, Savings and Retirement at iA Financial Group, this young woman in her fifties travels across the country for meetings, lectures, analyses and business trips. She is also dedicated to several important causes (poverty, illness, etc.) without neglecting her spouse, their four grandchildren and her own well-being, which is focused around running, her pets and her plants.
"Let's just say that I have a crazy schedule; my assistant is a miracle worker!", states the woman who has become the right hand of Denis Ricard, who became the new president and CEO of the Canadian insurance and wealth management company on September 1st. "In our industry, there are days and weeks of complete instability that have to be counterbalanced. When I look at everything, I want to achieve a certain equilibrium", continues the head of the Major Centraide-United Way Donations Committee.
After ten years working at a large accounting firm, Renée Laflamme arrived at iA Financial Group in 1998 and has continued to rise in the ranks. This certified professional accountant (CPA) believes she has taken a "typically iA" trajectory, characterised by increased talent mobility. The first female executive vice-president explains: "I had the opportunity to work in different sectors and see the different facets. These experiences allowed me to become comfortable with change."
This ability is a considerable asset in a market where digital strategies will have a greater presence in the years to come. If digital strategies and mobility have become more popular over the last few years under Yvon Charest's leadership, there's a strong chance the trend will continue under Denis Ricard. "In the past, our success was based on the quality of the advice we give and the products we offer. Our challenge now is to transpose this excellence in the world of technology, analyzes the woman who was awarded the title of Fellow CPA last year. I see it as an opportunity, not an issue."
Renée Laflamme gets her contagious energy from an insatiable desire to be a part of something bigger than herself. In her eyes, nothing is more important than the well-being of iA Financial Group, its four million clients and its 25,000 advisors. "You are never more important than the company you work for. It's the same with the causes I'm involved with; if I can't save lives, I can humbly contribute so that others can", she states.
Renée Laflamme has been iA Financial Group's Executive Vice-President, Individual Insurance, Savings and Retirement since 2018. She is responsible for the Individual Insurance, Savings and Retirement growth strategy as well as all operations including distribution, underwriting, product development, marketing and administration. She also leads operations for PPI Management.
Renée Laflamme's strategic vision and business sense, combined with her energy and experience, contribute to the growth of iA Financial Group and its positive impact on the community.
Ms. Laflamme started her career at iA Financial Group in 1998. She has held various management positions, including Vice-President of Mortgages and Group Savings and Retirement. She serves on the Major Giving Committee for United Way Québec-Chaudière-Appalaches, more recently, as team leader. She also supports various other organizations, including the Programme Philanthropes Émergents Centraide (United Way Emerging Philanthropists Program) and the Quebec Cancer Foundation.
Renée Laflamme has a bachelor's degree in administration from Université Laval and has obtained her Chartered Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst designations. In 2017, she was awarded the title of Fellow CPA.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Master of Growth
Sean joined iA Wealth in May of 2020, bringing to the firm a 25-year track record of building, leading and growing businesses.
Sean O'Brien joined iA Wealth in May 2020, bringing to the firm a 25-year track record of building, leading and growing businesses. He previously held a number of senior positions with iA Financial Group, most recently Executive Vice-President, Dealer Services and Special Risks.
Before joining iA Financial Group, Mr. O'Brien was Chief Operating Officer of Ontario-based CTL Corp., the largest privately owned consumer vehicle financing company in Canada (acquired in 2015 by iA Financial Group). Prior to that, Mr. O'Brien spent over 15 years in progressively senior roles at a major Canadian financial institution.
Sean O'Brien is a strong entrepreneur who has developed a true passion for growing businesses. His entrepreneurial passion is complemented by a pragmatic and disciplined approach to managing day-to-day operations, costs and capital allocation. He believes that you should run a business like you own it. His innate business acumen and vast experience make him a major player in Canada's financial industry. Mr. O'Brien is also on the board of the Cancer Research Society.
Suzanne Rancourt is a corporate director with more than 30 years of experience in consulting and management in finance and information technology. From 2006 to 2016, she was Vice-President Enterprise Risks and Internal Audit at CGI. Since her arrival at CGI in 1985, she held increasingly senior positions in consulting, strategy and information technology, business development, project management and corporate functions in a multinational environment. Prior to her arrival at CGI, Ms. Rancourt began her career as an auditor and worked in operations, finance and accounting in distribution, retail and financial industries.
She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Université du Québec à Montréal and an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CGA). Ms. Rancourt sits also on the Boards of Directors of WSP and the Institute of Corporate Directors (Quebec).
Job Titles:
- Interim Chief Economist and Portfolio Manager
Sébastien Mc Mahon joined the iA Financial Group economy team in January 2013. Throughout his career, Mr. Mc Mahon has held a variety of positions in leading financial institutions, including the Quebec Ministry of Finance and the Autorité des marchés financiers. Today, as a senior portfolio manager and senior economist, he manages assets of over 7 billion dollars.
Job Titles:
- Financial Education Specialist
Vincent has ten years of experience in group savings and retirement, and has been with iA Financial Group since 2010. He has unique skills in communications and the development of educational content. During information sessions in the workplace, he helps employees understand their plan and explains how to get the most out of it in order to reach their retirement goals.
Job Titles:
- Corporate Director
- Fellow of the Society of Actuaries
William F. Chinery is a corporate director. Until early 2013, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of BlackRock Asset Management Canada. During his 13 years with BlackRock and its predecessor, Barclays Global Investors, Mr. Chinery was a Managing Director in both the Toronto and San Francisco offices with various responsibilities including heading the Latin America and the Americas Institutional Business. Prior to BlackRock, he spent 6 years as Senior Vice President Quantitative Products at YMG Capital Management Inc. where he was responsible for managing Tactical Asset Allocation products for pension plans and mutual funds. He started his career at Mercer where he had account responsibility for some of the largest pension plans in Canada. He also started the Mercer Investment Consulting practice.
Mr. Chinery is currently on the Board of the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan and is Chair of their Investment Committee. He is also a member of the Investment Committee of GreenSky Capital Inc.
Mr. Chinery is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. He holds a B.Math. with honours from the University of Waterloo and has his ICD.D title from the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Job Titles:
- Sustainable Development Specialist
- Writer With the IA Financial Group Digital Experience
Yanick has been a writer with the iA Financial Group Digital Experience and Brand Management Department since 2000. Since 2005, his interest in sustainable development has grown, leading him to take on more defined mandates and complete training in this area. As a member of the iA Sustainable Development Committee, he represents the company at various workshops and conferences. He is passionate about suggesting environmental, social and governance initiatives to our employees and to members of the public that every individual or every organization can undertake to protect, cleanse and improve our environment.
Yvon Charest's successor is clearly ready to take on new challenges within the Canadian insurance and wealth management company. "The passing of the torch was skillfully planned. Yvon built a spectacular team to help me through this transition", confirms the man who has worked 33 years at iA Financial Group, his first and only employer.
In fact, it was Yvon Charest who hired him when he graduated from Université Laval in 1985. At the time, the young and brilliant actuary - a lecturer at his alma mater from 1991 to 1993 - was also approached by iA Financial Group's competitors. Denis Ricard admits that ending up at iA Financial Group was a happy circumstance, thanks to an impromptu phone call to Yvon Charest, who was director of the Actuarial Department at the time. "I remember that I told him that he was late starting his annual university recruiting campaign, which expedited my hiring. Lucius Annaeus Seneca said ‘Luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity'. Pure talent and hard work mean nothing if the planets do not align", he recognizes.
He is clearly cultured. When he's not at work, Denis Ricard reads a lot… "and not just about work", he clarifies. A true nature-lover, he tries to spend as much of his free time outdoors - he knows Wapizagonke Lake, in La Mauricie National Park, like the back of his hand, being born and raised in the area. His lifestyle includes a healthy saxophone regimen, an instrument he studied at the music conservatory in Trois-Rivières, and running. "Running helps me de-stress. I solve a lot of problems when I'm training", explains the man who regularly competes in 10 km races.
He believes that seeking balance is essential. "I don't send emails on weekends, and I don't expect to receive any. Doing so would be incompatible with the performance culture at iA Financial Group, where success is measured by the goals reached and not by how many hours one spends at work", he notes. This philosophy has allowed him to be there for his four children, who are now between 26 and 33. "Time with my family has always been essential. Our children saw us [my spouse and I] work hard, but they never heard us complain."
His transition to the head of iA Financial Group will be characterized by the emergence of digital strategies in the sale of insurance, a shift that, while well underway within the organization, will continue in the years to come . "We will go from service automation to the anticipation of needs in this sector. Those who gain a foothold are those will be able to predict what clients want", he believes.
"One thing is certain, we will continue to put our clients first. We have to find clients where they are and where they will be more and more, that means online. This is a challenge I'm looking forward to taking on."
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice - President
- Member of the Executive Committee
Éric Jobin has been the Executive Vice-President, Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions since July 2020.
Mr. Jobin began his career at iA Financial Group in 1999 in Corporate Actuarial Services. Thereafter, he held took on many challenges which led him to take on the role of Vice-President, Corporate Actuarial Services in 2015 and then Vice-President, Actuarial and Finance, Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions in 2017. He also served as president of the iA Financial Group Employee Pension Committee.
Éric Jobin has a degree in actuarial science from Université Laval and has FSA and FCIA designations. He also has a certificate in leadership and management skills from Concordia University.