Headquarters:

Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada

Year founded:

1884

Number of employees:

278

Phone:

1-800-567-7721

Email:

info@nbfc.com

Website:

portagemutual.com

LinkedIn:

ca.linkedin.com/company/the-portage-la-prairie-mutual-ins.-co.

“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

Wayne Wyborn

Incoming President and Chief Executive Officer

Jaime Hunt

Regional Branch Manager, Alberta and BC

Jean Gauvreau

Vice President, Marketing

Leadership

Wayne Wyborn has worked in the insurance industry for over 35 years. Wyborn joined Portage Mutual in 1986 and was appointed EVP and COO in 2010. He will take over as president and CEO on January 1, 2023. He has been responsible for the company’s underwriting, distribution strategy, business development and revenue growth. Going forward with a new five-year plan, Wyborn will be focusing on optimizing internal and external data capabilities, forming purposeful broker partnerships and supporting employee development and growth. Wyborn holds a diploma in business administration and the Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional designation, the Canadian Risk Management designation, the Professional Farm Mutual Manager designation (NAMIC) and the Director designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. As of December 31, 2021, the company had written $263 million in written premiums and had assets of $593 million. As a national company, Portage Mutual is regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), which ensures that companies maintain certain performance standards. With a 405% MCT rating to the end of 2021, the company is proud to say that it is well above the Canadian P&C rating required by OSFI and well above the industry average.

Incoming President and Chief Executive Officer

Wayne Wyborn

Jaime Hunt is responsible for leading Portage Mutual Insurance’s Edmonton branch in customer service, underwriting, marketing, business development, staffing levels and loss prevention initiatives in alignment with company objectives. Hunt joined Portage Mutual Insurance in 2013 as a commercial underwriter. She was promoted to Commercial Underwriting Manager in 2016. Hunt has extensive experience in the insurance industry and possesses a wealth of leadership, underwriting and broker expertise. She holds the Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada, along with a Canadian Risk Management designation. She also holds a business administration diploma, major in insurance, from Grant MacEwan University.

Regional Branch Manager, Alberta and BC

Jaime Hunt

Jean Gauvreau’s focus for the company is on strategic development, continuous improvement and the delivery of service to its broker partners. As a member of the company’s senior leadership team, Gauvreau works closely with cross-functional teams. He has held positions as director, personal lines, corporate underwriting, regional director and broker sales manager and has worked in claims. Gauvreau joined Portage Mutual Insurance in 2020 as the Edmonton office regional branch manager. He holds a business administration diploma, major in finance, and a Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Vice President, Marketing

Jean Gauvreau

“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

“We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

Leadership

SPECIAL REPORT

Home

Bio

Jay Halai, Minarah College

“With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines”

Jay Halai, Minarah College

Leadership

SPECIAL REPORT

Home

Bio

Brian Mooney

Regional Manager – Branch Operations, Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Brian Mooney began his insurance career in 1984 as a claims adjuster. He began in marketing in 1990 and worked his way up to underwriting supervisor and senior underwriter until 2009, when he was appointed regional branch manager at the company’s corporate headquarters. Mooney brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, having worked in major sectors of the industry, including adjusting, marketing and underwriting. He holds the Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Regional Manager – Branch Operations, Manitoba and Saskatchewan

Brian Mooney

Pino DiTullio

Regional Manager, Ontario

Pino DiTullio began his insurance career in 1985, occupying various roles in the claims field, including senior claims representative and Ontario claims manager positions at Portage Mutual. He was appointed the Ontario branch manager for Portage Mutual in 2008. DiTullio attended the insurance program through Mohawk College and obtained a rehabilitation certificate from Seneca College. He obtained his CRM from McMaster University and his conflict resolution and mediation certificate from the University of Toronto. DiTullio held positions with the Insurance Institute of Ontario and Canada from 2007 to 2014 and holds the Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Regional Manager, Ontario

Pino DiTullio

Responsive service: From new business submissions to renewals, mid-term service requests and claims, Northbridge delivers responsive broker service. The company has set high standards for its teams and provides clear points of contact to ensure requests are not only handled quickly but also with the best possible service. Customized solutions: Northbridge’s deep understanding of the industries it serves allows the company to work closely with brokers to offer customers tailored solutions built to their unique needs. This customized approach includes flexible coverage and limit options, plus a range of value-added services for greater peace of mind.

Jay Halai, Minarah College

Brian Houlihan

Regional Manager, Maritimes

Paul Gardner

Senior Vice President, Corporate Underwriting & Risk Services

Evan Di Bella

Senior Vice President, Claims

Inma Beaumont

Executive Director Advancement and Community Relations

Brian Houlihan has been with Portage Mutual since 2014 and in the insurance industry for over 35 years. During his career, he has held a variety of roles, including regional commercial underwriting and marketing manager positions, as well as a national technical capabilities leader. Houlihan is considered a subject matter expert, having served as past president of the Insurance Institute of Nova Scotia and as a member of the National Education Committee. Houlihan received a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Dalhousie University, a bachelor’s degree in education from Saint Mary’s University and a master’s degree in education from Mount Saint Vincent University. He also holds the Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada, along with a Canadian Risk Management designation.

Regional Manager, Maritimes

Brian Houlihan

Paul Gardner is Northbridge’s senior vice president for corporate underwriting and risk services. He has worked in the insurance industry since 2006, beginning his career at Lombard General Insurance Company before it was integrated into Northbridge Insurance in 2012. Since then, he has served as a director and then a vice president on the commercial underwriting team. Now, he is responsible for Northbridge’s corporate underwriting, risk services, and NBI personal lines teams.

Senior Vice President, Corporate Underwriting & Risk Services

Paul Gardner

Evan Di Bella is the senior vice president for claims. He joined Northbridge in October 2003 after five years with another P&C insurance company, where he worked in various lines of business. He has held several roles throughout his career with Northbridge, including vice president for Ontario claims.

Senior Vice President, Claims

Evan Di Bella

Inma Beaumont joined BGS at the beginning of 2020. She is an experienced advancement professional, having implemented fundraising and engagement operations for three different units over six years at The University of Queensland. Inma led the fundraising campaign to renovate the Forgan Smith Building, home to the TC Beirne School of Law at UQ. She subsequently spent three years as director of advancement at the UQ Faculty of Health, where she conceived and delivered a major gifts program. Her fundraising experience follows a 15-year career in finance, including as CFO of Citibank Australia. She is a non-executive director of UN Women Australia, Speech Pathology Australia and Women’s College at UQ.

Executive Director Advancement and Community Relations

Inma Beaumont

Diana Godfrey joined Fidelity in 1995, and is currently the senior vice-president, human resources and corporate affairs. She has 27 years of industry experience and has driven innovation and transformative changes to employee benefits, talent development, charitable and diversity and inclusion programs, which have strengthened Fidelity Canada’s position as a top caring employer. She championed the implementation of Fidelity Canada’s value proposition, committed to improving the employee experience to meet their individual needs and the community at large. Fidelity Canada has been recognized with multiple employer awards and designations, which celebrate its work culture and atmosphere, corporate philanthropic initiatives, and health and benefits, to name just a few.

Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs

Diana Godfrey (she/her/hers)

Cameron Murray is the senior vice president, client services and CIO for Fidelity Investments Canada ULC. In this capacity, he oversees both technology and operations for the organization in Canada. He joined Fidelity in December 1999 as Vice President, Systems Operations. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors for FundSERV, where he has been an executive committee and board member since 2002. He is also on the board of directors for Fidelity Investments Canada ULC.

Senior Vice President, Client Services and Chief Information Officer

Cameron Murray

Sarah M Stewart has more than 15 years of strategic leasing and customer care experience in residential property management. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of Centurion’s national leasing platforms, residential lead generation, and overall customer experience excellence through operation of the company’s internal customer service department.

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Sarah M Stewart

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Karen Bannister, CM

Vice President, Marketing

Dave Longbottom

Chief Technology Officer

Alex Ventura

Head of Marketing

Damian Palovick

Senior Vice President of Underwriting AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Dr. Mary Lavoie

Head of Risk Management and Senior Vice President AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Mark Bernacki

Chief Underwriting Officer

Ryan Armijo

Chief Operating Officer, Underwriting Division

Bob Petrilli

President, Underwriting Division

“The focus now is on differentiation and development of Higher-Order Thinking Skills (HOTS). There is documented planning on differentiation to ensure the students who are struggling are being catered for and those who are above average are being challenged to do better,” he says. “Furthermore, staff now engage in making data-driven decisions to make programs and learning sequences. Lessons are no longer based on ‘one hat – fits all’, each lesson now has differentiated tasks.” Halai says the syllabus outcome is now achieved through differentiated tasks that are aligned to the student capabilities and learning needs. “Lessons are delivered through interactive smartboards; hence, teachers have the opportunity to cater for visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learners,” he says. “With less focus on textbooks, students now engage more in experiential and inquiry-based learning and have ample opportunities to work in collegial groups using various thinking routines.” Halai says staff development is highly focused on enhancement of ICT skills through regular professional learning with Microsoft Teams. “The success stories on Deep Learning from classrooms were shared by the staff as part of professional development, and these presentations were well received by the teachers, and seen as a learning opportunity, and peer appreciation.” As for what’s next for Minarah College, Halai says the process is in place for changing the learning environment with collaborative learning places for all students. “The shift is from students just learning the knowledge to authentic application of this knowledge to the wider world. The focus at Minarah College is for teachers to equip students with the tools to navigate their learning process and improve their expertise in developing efficacy,” he explains. “We will ensure students address meaningful real-world problems and use specific protocols [so that] all voices are heard. Project-based learning will be emphasised to develop key skills such as research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration.” Halai says the college will also be using appropriate data analysis and interpretation of data to make informed decisions that positively affect student outcomes. “The proactive stance will enable students to be committed to advocating essential values, reflect and develop critical thinking and communication skills to develop their characters and become valuable and active members of the community.”

SPECIAL REPORT

Home

Bio

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Alexis Hill

Chief Information Officer

Alexis Hill joined BGS in April 2022 as the School’s first chief information officer to lead the Digital Transformation Program, which aims to use technology and data to enhance student outcomes. As a senior executive with over 14 years of experience in commercial and government industries, she has substantial experience in digital transformation leadership. Alexis has held CIO and director roles that focused on driving technological and organisational change in complex environments. She holds a Bachelor of Business degree and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Chief Information Officer

Alexis Hill

Portage Mutual Insurance was formed in 1884 based on the principles of security, integrity, hard work and personalized service. The company has a national presence but maintains a timeless, friendly, small-town and personalized way of doing business. Portage Mutual believes that its partnership with professional insurance brokers results in better service and value to its policy holders as they are able to know their communities and their insurance needs the best. Prudent management of Portage Mutual’s investment portfolio over the years has helped to ensure its financial integrity and protect its policyholders’ interests. Portage Mutual has weathered the test of time, and as a result, it has come out stronger than ever. Portage Mutual is a 100% Canadian-owned company that prides itself on partnering with over 800 professional brokerage offices across the country. It advises Canadian insurance consumers on their product features and risk exposures while also providing thoughtful, personalized service to consumers on every claim. Represented in Portage Mutual’s corporate logo is the bison, a prairie icon promoting its Manitoba roots through all of its offices across Canada. In the combination of its logo and company tagline, “Facing the storm with you,” the customers find no better metaphor to describe an organization whose purpose is to take on risk and protect people.

Read on

IB Top Brokerages

Award Winner

SHIELDED INSURANCE BROKERS

Award Winner

PORTAGE MUTUAL INSURANCE

Read on

Award Winner

Read on