In The News
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.
Celebrating Navacord’s Remarkable Women – Lucy Sousa
What does the 2021 International Women’s Day slogan, #Choosetochallenge mean for you in your work life?
Continue to challenge yourself to be the best version of yourself.
Is your role what you expected to be doing when you started in the workforce? How did it
change? Tell us about your journey.
No, this is not the role I expected to be in when I started in the workforce. I began my career in Personal
insurance. After many years I began working as a commercial account manager. I joined JDIMI in 1993, started as a commercial account manager and began taking on some of Account Executive role. I was fortunate that I always had the respect and support of my colleagues which allowed me to be successful, become a partner of the firm and enjoy a fabulous career.
What barriers have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field? How did you overcome them?
When I began in the business, it was predominantly men that held account executive rolls. As the world and our industry evolved, more and more women hold account executive and partnership roles. I became the first female partner at JDIMI. It did not come without frustration but persistence pays off. My favourite story is one where I went to a client meeting and I was transitioning to an account executive roll but the male account executive who handled the account previously was still involved this particular year. When we were ready to begin the meeting, which I had prepared everything for, the client asked if I could leave the room so they could talk “man to man”. I was more surprised than anything else but I was also very mad but I got up and left the room. A couple of weeks later the client called me and said “I think I have this all figured out, you’re the one who knows what’s happening with our account and you’re the one who does everything”. I told him that I knew he’d figure it out eventually. We had a great relationship after that.
Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering jumping into the insurance industry?
Don’t just assume you’re going to stay in an administrative roll. Continue to improve yourself, taking the necessary courses, taking risks. One of our challenges as women is taking time out of the workforce to have children and many times being the main person dealing with sick children, school schedules etc. It’s important that your spouse is also on side and willing to share the responsibility.
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
Women supporting women is key. We understand what the other is going through. It has always meant a lot to me to have my female colleagues say how great it was that I became partner.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Many women who want to have successful careers and a family have a hard time balancing both. I know that for me it was the
biggest challenge. I always felt extremely guilty that I didn’t spend more time at home with the kids, had to leave them with
grandparents when they were sick etc. I was very fortunate because I worked for Bob Jones & Rick DesLauriers at the time and both had young children as well and their wives worked. They knew that I struggled with the guilt and one day I came into work and there was information on by desk about a seminar for women, I can’t remember everything about it but it was called something like “Briefcase in one hand, guilt in the other”. There were thousands of women in attendance and so many of us felt the same way. I think this was a defining moment for me, I didn’t have to feel guilty after all. Our current leader Eric is fantastic as well – he has a young family and a spouse with a career so he knows all about the juggling that’s required.
Celebrating Navacord’s Remarkable Women – Danielle Gorst
What does the 2021 International Women’s Day slogan, #Choosetochallenge mean for you in your work life?
It means we celebrate the achievement of women within Navacord and the insurance industry as a whole, constantly challenging gender inequality and biases.
Your current job is Financial Lines Practice Leader for 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.
This role was designed for me and allowed me the opportunity to create and develop the role over the past two years with the support of Navacord’s leadership.
What barriers have you faced, as a woman, in becoming successful in your field? How did you overcome them?
As a working mom of two beautiful children I took maternity leaves with both my children, and each time feeling as though I lost of year of progress within the organization in terms of salary increases/profit sharing, and potential lost opportunities that came up while I was on leave. I quickly overcame these barriers with open dialogue with my employers who were also making great strides in gender equality at the time. Working hard, showing your worth, using your voice, and having supportive and progressive employers were all key pieces to overcoming these barriers.
Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering jumping into the insurance industry?
Having been in the insurance industry for over 20 years I recognize the difference women have made in this field. Some of the top organizations are lead by females who have mentored and supported me throughout my career. The insurance industry has also proven to be a very stable and prosperous industry even in an economic downturn like 2020. Jobs are plentiful as a new entrants to the industry or seasoned professionals!
How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?
There have been many moments in my career where I felt I needed to be picked up and it was in those moments I was supported by wonderful women around me in my personal life and professional life. The truth is “when women support each other, incredible things happen.”
Waypoint Insurance expands operations in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland with addition of GNK Insurance Services Inc.
Waypoint Insurance, Navacord’s premier Broker Partner in British Columbia specializing in top-tier P&C insurance products unique to life on the West Coast, is thrilled to announce the addition of GNK Insurance Services Inc., effective March 1, 2021.
The addition of GNK supports Waypoint’s growth strategy of expanding their operations through a mix of profitable
organic growth and M&A with like-minded brokers.
Navacord continues its strategic benefits expansion with addition of Penmore Benefits Inc.
“Our partnership with Navacord aligns with our vision—with how we, as a company, want to move forward and grow our business,” says Lio Spagnuolo, COO and Managing Partner, Penmore Benefits. “With Navacord’s backing, we can add to our existing portfolio by utilizing their national relationships, technology, and infrastructure support.”
The addition of Penmore Benefits further strengthens Navacord’s leadership and national presence within the group benefits and retirement sector.
Waypoint Insurance grows North Shore presence with addition of Lynn Valley Insurance
Waypoint Insurance, Navacord’s premier Broker Partner in British Columbia specializing in top-tier P&C insurance products unique to life on the West Coast, is pleased to announce the addition of Lynn Valley Insurance.
The addition of Lynn Valley furthers Waypoint’s strategy of continuing to build in North Vancouver and the Greater Vancouver area through like-minded brokers. It also enhances Navacord’s position in the province, supporting their vision of building the great Canadian brokerage and is expected to be one of many announcements through 2021.
Henderson Insurance expands transportation business with addition of HAL Insurance
Henderson Insurance, Navacord’s premier Broker Partner in Saskatchewan and a leader in mid-market commercial insurance and risk management, is pleased to announce its addition of HAL Insurance, effective November 2, 2020. The deal strengthens Henderson’s position in the transportation sector and further deepens their expertise.
Highway Agencies Ltd., now HAL Insurance, was founded in 1955 by the Saskatchewan Trucking Association and maintains a proud history of attracting and developing knowledgeable team members
focused on delivering expert advice that’s driven by experience. With roots in the trucking industry, HAL
Insurance specializes within the transportation sector and adds their expertise across a range of other
products including Commercial, Personal, Farm, and Sports and Events insurance.
Navacord expands Executive Team to complement growth strategy
TORONTO, October 26, 2020 – Navacord Corp., one of Canada’s top commercial insurance brokerages and a leader in risk management services, is pleased to announce the addition of Jim Edmands as SVP, Benefits and Retirement, effective November 9, 2020.
Navacord solidifies national benefits practice with addition of B.C. consulting firm Dehoney Financial Group
TORONTO, September 10, 2020 – Navacord Corp., one of Canada’s top four commercial insurance brokerages and a leader in risk management services, expands its benefits business coast-to-coast with the addition of B.C.-based broker Dehoney Financial Group (DFG).
Navacord expands benefits practice to Maritimes with addition of Cooke Capital
TORONTO, August 17, 2020 – As they continue to build out their national benefits practice, Navacord Corp., one of Canada’s top four commercial insurance brokerages and a leader in risk management services, is pleased to announce the addition of PEI-based Cooke Capital, effective August 13, 2020.