ABOUT
Women in Insurance Summit Canada returns in 2023 with a live summit dedicated to empowering women and allies, developing the next generation of leaders, and celebrating the achievements of women in insurance.
The event has been designed to enable insurance professionals to make new connections, discover new ideas and disruptions, explore the hot topics and key challenges women face in the industry and get inspired to advance in their careers.
Featuring influential speakers from leading companies, a packed agenda and powerful networking opportunities, the event aims to inspire and empower the industry to continue to make positive change in its goal to close the gender gap and provide equal opportunities for men and women to flourish.
Join us in person in Toronto on June 22, 2023, to celebrate the resilience of this innovative and forward-thinking industry and unite as part of the summit’s global conversation.
Why attend?
Enhance your career with skill-building leadership strategies
Make meaningful connections and network with top insurance leaders
Get the latest updates on market trends, emerging opportunities and risks
Support the next generation of young women – proceeds from our on-site silent auction will go to local charity GEM
SPEAKERS

Susan DuHamel
Chief Marketing Officer, Global Risk Solutions
Liberty Mutual Insurance

Julie Angus
Explorer, Scientist, & Bestselling Author

Melike Oz Pasaogullari
Senior Vice President, Head of Business Process Management
Arch Insurance

Kyle Sparkman
Chief Operating Officer
Allianz Global Assistance

Colette Taylor
Chief Operating Officer
Sovereign Insurance

Tendai Moyo
Senior Vice President, Cyber Insurance Practice Lead
Hugh Wood Canada

Marcela Abreu
Vice President, Head P&C Solutions Canada & English Caribbean
SwissRe

Melissa Bajwa
Vice President, Compliance and Broker Network Operations
PROLINK Insurance Inc. & PROLINK Broker Network

Dionne Bowers
Owner, D.B Solutions
Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals

Robyn Campbell
Managing Director, FINPRO Practice Leader
Marsh Canada

Kesha Christie
Senior Cyber Placement Broker
WTW

Chaya Cooperberg
Executive Vice President, Chief People and Communications Officer
AmTrust Financial Services Inc.

Catherine A. Décarie
Associate Vice President, Affinity Market Group
TD Insurance

Sarah Fong
Assistant Chief Economist and Head of Industry Data
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)

Nicole Hackney
Training and Research Officer
Ontario Mutual Insurance Association

Cindy Manek
Senior Vice-President, Technology Professional Liability
Ridge Canada

Amanda Nordstrom
Regional Vice President
Intact Insurance

Lauren Ritchie
Certified High Performance & Career Coach

Gary Saarenvirta
Chief Executive Officer
Daisy Intelligence
AGENDA
All times in ET
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Opening remarks from chairperson
Susan DuHamel
Chief Marketing Officer, Global Risk Solutions
Liberty Mutual Insurance -
Opening Keynote introduction
Catherine A. Décarie
Associate Vice President, Affinity Market Group
TD Insurance -
Opening Keynote: Rowboat in a hurricane – Dealing with change and unexpected setbacks
Imagine surviving a hurricane with nothing more than a rowboat to shelter you. When Julie Angus set off on a quest to become the first woman to row across the Atlantic Ocean from mainland to mainland this was not what she anticipated. But Julie soon realized that to be successful she’d not only need to deal with adversity and uncertainty but embrace it and use it as an opportunity to grow and prosper. Not only did she succeed but she was awarded National Geographic’s “Adventurer of the Year” for her incredible achievements. Julie shares techniques to deal with changing environments including altering our perception, preparing for the unexpected, assessing risks, and improving communication.
Julie Angus
Explorer, Scientist, & Bestselling Author
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Panel: Competitive intelligence – Market trends and the future of insurance
Digital disruptions, including AI, deep learning technologies and Blockchain, post-pandemic and environmental factors, are changing the insurance market and the way products and services are delivered. As we move out of the pandemic, what are the latest market trends, opportunities, and technologies shaping insurance today? In this session, hear from key industry leaders as they dive into the current and future insurance market – and learn what you need to know to remain an informed and effective leader. Among the topics and questions to be explored:
- What are the latest market trends and what do they reveal?
- Discover current thinking on ESG priorities, big data, and analytics
- Addressing emerging trends in natural disasters and climate risk
- What’s next? Anticipating market trends and industry changes in 2023 and beyond
Moderator
Kesha Christie
Senior Cyber Placement Broker
WTWPanelists
Sarah Fong
Assistant Chief Economist and Head of Industry Data
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)Tendai Moyo
Senior Vice President, Cyber Insurance Practice Lead
Hugh Wood CanadaGary Saarenvirta
Chief Executive Officer
Daisy Intelligence -
Networking coffee break
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Panel: Pursuing better together – Harness the power of intersectionality to help you achieve your potential
Embracing different perspectives and ideas creates more effective, productive, and sustainable organizations. As an industry, we’ve come a long way, but we still are growing. It is vital for industry leaders to evolve current thinking on diversity, equity, and inclusion to include considerations of intersectionality, an academic term that recognises how different aspects of a person combine to create overlapping areas of privilege and oppression (Kimberlé W. Crenshaw, 1989). In this session, our panel will explore how to build on current DEI programs to understand how intersectional groups experience the workplace. By including intersectionality, we can advance opportunities for all and enable each other to succeed.
- Learn about intersectionality and why is it important to overcoming inequality in the workplace
- Discover how to apply intersectionality to empower your workforce and your team
- Examine issues in the workplace through an intersectional lens and learn practical tips and actionable takeaways
Moderator
Melike Oz Pasaogullari
Senior Vice President, Head of Business Process Management
Arch Insurance -
Breaking the taboos – Supporting women’s health at every career stage
Women face health issues and challenges throughout their lives, and introducing a specific women’s health strategy can provide practical advice on how to enable women to thrive in the workforce. How can we create an open culture in which women feel supported, confident, and safe in talking about health issues like menopause and miscarriage? How can you take control of your own health in the workplace? Hear how our speaker has implemented a culture that prioritizes women’s health, and the strategies you can implement in your own organization. Among the issues to be discussed:
- Conversations to expand line managers’ awareness and understanding
- Discover how small adjustments can have a significant impact
- A breakdown of common taboos around women’s health issues for the benefit of your workplace
Nicole Hackney
Training and Research Officer
Ontario Mutual Insurance Association -
Networking lunch
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Panel: Fighting fatigue – How to remain on top of your game
With competing priorities and stressful working environments, many managers and executives are experiencing various levels of burnout. How can we prioritize well-being, and in turn create a culture of empathy and support? This session will discuss strategies to fight fatigue, boost resilience, and focus on self-care and mental well-being to lead by example. Among the topics and questions for discussion:
- What are the best strategies for fighting fatigue, and how can we develop them?
- How can managers and organizations encourage and prioritize a culture that supports well-being?
- Overcoming common challenges such as time management, multiple responsibilities, and burnout
Moderator
Robyn Campbell
Managing Director, FINPRO Practice Leader
Marsh CanadaPanelists
Cindy Manek
Senior Vice-President, Technology Professional Liability
Ridge CanadaAmanda Nordstrom
Regional Vice President
Intact InsuranceColette Taylor
Chief Operating Officer
Sovereign InsuranceKyle Sparkman
Chief Operating Officer
Allianz Global Assistance -
Speed networking
Expand your network, make new connections, and meet fellow delegates in a structured networking session.
Susan DuHamel
Chief Marketing Officer, Global Risk Solutions
Liberty Mutual Insurance -
Networking coffee break
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Know your worth – How to negotiate during pay discussions
Gender pay inequity exists at all levels in the insurance profession. This empowering session will provide you with the confidence to negotiate your remuneration while meeting the needs of your organization. Among the topics that will be discussed:
- How to prepare for the conversation to get the outcome you want
- Understanding your compensation expectations, incentives, and career progression
- Alternative compensation models that value performance and outcomes
Lauren Ritchie
Certified High Performance & Career Coach
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Fireside chat: Accelerating your career – the latest scoop on skills development
The industry is rapidly changing, and leaders need to be at the forefront to deliver business objectives. How can you ensure you are performing at your best through self-driven learning and development? This fireside chat on skills development will discuss strategies to develop capabilities and skillsets for career advancement. Among the issues to be explored:
- What are the top three emerging leadership skills, and how can we develop them?
- How can managers and executives encourage and prioritize learning and development for themselves and their teams?
- Overcoming challenges, such as leading inclusively and authentically in a hybrid environment, juggling multiple responsibilities, and collaboration among multi-generational teams
- Tips on how to take the next step in your career
Moderator
Chaya Cooperberg
Executive Vice President, Chief People and Communications Officer
AmTrust Financial Services Inc.Panelists
Marcela Abreu
Vice President, Head P&C Solutions Canada & English Caribbean
SwissReMelissa Bajwa
Vice President, Compliance and Broker Network Operations
PROLINK Insurance Inc. & PROLINK Broker NetworkDionne Bowers
Owner, D.B Solutions
Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals -
Closing remarks from chairperson
Susan DuHamel
Chief Marketing Officer, Global Risk Solutions
Liberty Mutual Insurance -
Networking drinks reception
SPONSORS
Event Partner
KEYNOTE SESSION SPONSOR
GOLD SPONSORS
SILVER SPONSORS
ASSOCIATE SPONSORS
VENUE
The Carlu
- 444 Yonge St #7, Toronto, ON M5B 2H4
- 416-597-1931
- https://www.thecarlu.com/
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Parking:
For information on parking please click here
TRAVEL PLANS
Preferred Accommodation
Hotel room rates are subject to all applicable taxes and fees. Rooms are subject to availability in each hotel from June 20/21 – June 22. We recommend that you book as soon as possible.
Marriott Downtown at CF Toronto Eaton Centre
525 Bay Street, Toronto, On. M5G2L2
Book your group rate by calling 1-800-905-0667, use the group name Women In Insurance Summit Canada to secure the discounted rate until May 23, 2023.
Room Rate: $399.00 per standard room/night
Cut off date: May 23, 2023
Check in: 3pm Check out: 12pm
Hotel parking: $45.00 with in/out privileges

Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
123 Queen Street West Toronto, Ontario M5H 2M9
Book your group rate by calling 1 (888) 627-7175, use the group name Women In Insurance Summit Canada to secure the discounted rate until May 23, 2023.
Room Rate: $475.00 per standard room/night
Cut off date: May 23, 2023
Check in: 3pm Check out: 12pm

REGISTRATION FOR Women in Insurance Canada IS NOW OPEN
Join us and hear from top leaders in the industry and make connections and become a force of change.