In The News
Navacord’s newest benefits partners demonstrate an investment in technology that advances and enhances client experience while opening doors to new markets across Canada
TORONTO, September 8, 2021 – Navacord Corp., one of Canada’s top commercial insurance brokerages and a leader in risk management services, is pleased to announce the addition of two new group benefit and retirement brokerages—C&C Insurance Group out of Southwestern (Komoka), ON, and Vanta Benefits based in Edmonton, AB.
Both C&C Insurance Group and Vanta Benefits are recognized as innovators within the industry. C&C boasts the only fully integrated and seamless Group Health and Wellness program that meets the complex needs for post-secondary institutions’ domestic and international student populations. And, with proprietary real-time benefits data and analytics segmented by business, Vanta enables their clients to be proactive versus reactive with strategic plan designs that create long-term sustainability.
“The growth, innovation, and niche specialization that Vanta Benefits and C&C display epitomize the entrepreneurial mindset that drives us at Navacord,” says Shawn DeSantis, President and CEO, Navacord. “They are experts in their fields, and they are ready to bring their unique programs and services to an even bigger market—and we are ready and excited to support that journey.”
This series of partnerships deepen Navacord’s coast-to-coast benefits offering and demonstrate their commitment to attracting unique, best-in-class brokerages and consulting firms that align with their vision, provide expert advice and outstanding local-touch service.
“Both businesses are using technology to deliver, differentiate, and enhance the client experience,” says T. Marshall Sadd, Executive Chairman of Navacord. “We see tremendous value in what they each can share with fellow Navacord Broker Partners across Canada, and what Navacord can help them bring to their clients as they continue to grow.”
Vanta Benefits was previously part of Vanta Group. The life insurance and wealth advisory business within Vanta Group remains independently owned and operated and is not included within the Navacord partnership.
Navacord has completed 11 formal new partnerships this year—with more expected as they progress towards $3 billion in premium. Having more than quadrupled their benefits business over the last 18 months, it remains a strategic growth area for Navacord as they continue their mission of Building the Great Canadian Brokerage.™
Waypoint Insurance, a Navacord Broker Partner, also recently closed its acquisition of FX Insurance—their third transaction in 2021.
Navacord closes record number of monthly deals with series of four partnerships
New additions reflect investment in partner growth
and deepening reach across Canada’s regionally diverse markets
Navacord deepens expertise and expands commercial auto niche with the addition of LL Renaissance
Celebrating Navacord’s Remarkable Women – Melanie Muise
What does the 2021 International Women’s Day slogan, #Choosetochallenge mean for you in your work life?
#Choosetochallenge is a call to action, a call to speak up and speak out about diversity, inclusion and gender equality at work.
Is your current role what you expected to be doing when you started in the workforce? How did it change? Tell us about your journey.
As Navacord’s COO, I have a tremendous opportunity to #choosetochallenge. I’ve been the only women in the room throughout most of my career, and I’m happy to say that’s changed a lot recently. Women make up more than half of the insurance sector and that stat is starting to catch up in leadership and executive roles as well.
What barriers have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field? How did you overcome them?
I have faced the same discrimination that all women have as I’ve progressed in my career and I’ve focused on 3 things to overcome them: Firstly, have a strong and active mentor, mentee and allyship community to talk to. Secondly, build resilience by accepting what you can and can’t control in difficult situations. You can’t control someone else’s behaviours, but you are in full control of your own responses and actions both during and after the fact. Third, involve men in the conversation. This has been critical for me personally, by inviting men to the table, we create more advocates who can #choosetochallenge with us.
Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering jumping into the insurance industry?
Have a plan but be willing to diverge from it for an opportunity to learn and grow. I started as a sales agent on the night shift of a personal lines direct writer in Ottawa, and ended up as a COO of the 4th largest commercial brokerage in Canada, based in Toronto. I could never have foreseen that career path but I had a growth mindset and have enjoyed every role I’ve had in the industry.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
COVID has highlighted the importance of women supporting each other. Many of us have gone through unique career challenges during the pandemic and now more than ever we have a tremendous opportunity to encourage each other, root for each other, #choosetochallenge to create more equality in the workforce post pandemic.
Celebrating Navacord’s Remarkable Women – Jing Wang
What does the 2021 International Women’s Day slogan, #Choosetochallenge mean for you in your work life?
It means continued awareness to me. Though we have come a long way to where we are today, there is still more to do. We should never stand still.
You’re currently, VP Finance at Navacord. Is this role what you expected to be in when you started in the workforce? How did it change? Tell us about your journey.
I got thrown into the Insurance industry when I started my public audit days with a big insurance company as my largest client, and it’s been quite the journey!
What barriers have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field? How did you overcome them?
The biggest barrier I have had to overcome is myself. Be bold enough to ask for things that you need to build yourself up for success, being strong enough to ask for help, and being confident enough to know your worth. I have been lucky to have both incredible men and women support me in my career!
Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering jumping into the insurance industry?
There’s a lot more women in this industry now than you think! Be bold, be brave, be yourself!
Celebrating Navacord’s Remarkable Women – Hailey Taskey
What does the 2021 International Women’s Day slogan, #Choosetochallenge mean for you in your work life?
Break barriers, do things that would never be expected, push out of your comfort zone and grab success.
Your current job is _________. Is this role what you expected to be in when you started in the workforce? How did it
change? Tell us about your journey.
Partner/Senior Advisor. Not what I expected, it was the role I was always working towards, but when I started in the industry it felt so far away with many barriers in the way. I originally wanted to be a dentist, and I started in the insurance industry by answering phones and decided to not go back to university and work my way up. I then moved into an assistant role, then account management role and so on. I never settled for where I was, I always wanted more and failure was not an option. Lots of hard work and lessons along the way, but you can always get to where you want to be with hard work.
What barriers have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field? How did you overcome them?
I was really young when I started in the industry. This along with being a woman made it difficult to be taken seriously. It took a long time to become an expert in what I do, understanding how to work with people, relate to them as well as be great in our industry. I still have these challenges today, but when you get the chance to prove your expertise, and experience, peoples perceptions change. I have built some very solid relationships based on my knowledge and the way I work with people. Working to change perception is always tough, but all worth it.
Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering jumping into the insurance industry?
The opportunities are endless in this industry. There is always something to learn, and areas to advance your career. Hard work will get you to where you want to be.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
There is not enough support between women in business. We are a strong force that has the ability to bring success and different perspective to all areas of business. When we work together, we can make anything happen. Having women supporting each other, creates an unstoppable force.
Celebrating Navacord’s Remarkable Women – Erin Gunn
What does the 2021 International Women’s Day slogan, #Choosetochallenge mean for you in your work life?
Challenge stereotypes, challenge expectations, challenge the status quo. You cannot be in the passenger seat of your own career. It is one thing to work hard and demonstrate expertise, but you cannot wait for someone to ask—you put your hand up and say you want it.
Your current job is Vice President, Client Experience. Is this role what you expected to be in when you started in the workforce? How did it change? Tell us about your journey.
Vice President, Client Experience. Yes, my goal was always to be in a leadership position, and I am not finished yet.
What barriers have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field? How did you overcome them?
Ambitious and assertive women are viewed differently than men. When I encountered bias in the workplace, I challenged those perceptions head on and it was entirely worthwhile. By working hard, demonstrating leadership, and believing in myself, I have advanced to hold senior leadership positions at a top insurance carrier and similarly so at Dehoney Financial Group.
Recently, I heard a quote specific to the pandemic. “We are not all in the same boat. We are all in the same storm. Some are on superyachts. Some have just the one oar.” (Damian Barr) The same can be said for the barriers women face. They can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors. It is incredibly important that we all work together to remove gender bias as a roadblock to career advancement for women.
Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering jumping into the insurance industry?
There is a ton of opportunity in our industry. It is incumbent on those of us already here to welcome new entrants and provide career paths for those looking to join.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
It is extremely important for women to champion other women and to celebrate each other’s success—we can lift each other up. “Empowered women, empower women.” However, this message is not just for women, we need to embrace inclusivity for all and work collaboratively for the betterment of our teams and the entire industry.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I look forward to the day when we no longer need International Women’s Day. A time when we’ll all be considered equal and recognize our similarities rather than our differences.