Catherine Smola is the President and CEO of CSIO. Since joining CSIO in 2012, she has pioneered a number of key initiatives that have championed interoperability, efficient data exchange and standards infrastructure for insurance partners. Examples include the eDocs Standard, the Commercial Lines Certification Program, the INNOTECH Advisory Committee and the My Proof of Insurance solution.

Christopher Aloussis ( He/Him) is an insurance professional specializing in Cyber Liability, Insurance  Programs and Professional Liability. Having worked for insurance companies, MGA’s, brokerages both national and independent, Christopher brings with him a deep knowledge of each step in the insurance placement process. Having been a broker for several years, Christopher understands the drive that propels brokers to continuously strive for the best coverage and price for their clients.  Having the honor of working with a number of insurance companies as well as Insurtech start-ups, he appreciates the fine line underwriting teams must walk between producing business and risk management. Combining his knowledge and passion for education, Christopher has also created and lead multiple CE courses on topics ranging from cyber event preparedness for commercial business to E&O exposures for independent contractors. Christopher has also started along the path with helping to bring meaningful change to the insurance industry. This past year along with other members, Christopher participated in founding the Canadian chapter of Link: 2SLGBTQ+ Insurance Network. Link Canada is dedicated to helping bring DEI education, hiring practices and inclusive networking events to the Canadian Insurance Industry. Christopher is dedicated to helping spread the message of the strength that diversity brings to organizations and how together, we can create a better, more equitable work environment for everyone. 

Dionne is a dynamic leader with over twenty years of progressive experience in the insurance industry. She operates her own Consulting business, which focuses on training and development solutions for insurance professionals and is also a contracted facilitator with some of Ontario’s higher learning institutions. Dionne is a Co-Founder of the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals; a non-profit organization primarily focused on Advocacy, Mentorship, Education and Networking for individuals in the insurance industry or who are looking to pursue a career in insurance. She has a strong passion for learning and sharing knowledge with others.

Dionne graduated from the University of Ottawa with a degree in Criminology and Sociology. She also has a diploma in Public & Private Investigations from Sheridan College and currently holds her Fellowship Chartered Insurance Professional designation – the highest professional designation in Canada’s Property & Casualty industry as well as her Canadian Risk Management designation.

She is a published author and in her spare time, enjoys mentoring people, giving back to the community, reading, traveling abroad, boxing, basketball and creating new experiences with family and friends.

Justina Ikwu is a dedicated professional with a proven track record in determining, catalyzing, and driving new strategic growth initiatives in the banking and Not-For-Profit industries. She currently holds the position of Senior Manager of Strategy and Transformation at RBC (Royal Bank of Canada), where she plays a vital role in driving the mobilization of the Technology Enterprise Operations strategy.

With her extensive experience, Justina excels in overseeing the strategic planning processes of business units, utilizing her talent for directing cross-functional teams to develop and execute strategic opportunities. She takes into account various dimensions such as channel, product, technology, and regulatory considerations. Her exceptional ability to navigate complex environments and her deep understanding of the industry dynamics enable her to create innovative solutions and drive change effectively.

Justina’s passion for self-transformation and driving change extends beyond her professional endeavors. She actively utilizes her strong interpersonal communication skills to develop and manage relationships with stakeholders across industries. Her commitment to uplifting underserved communities in Canada is demonstrated through her involvement in the Canadian Association of Urban Financial Professionals, where she serves on the Board of Directors as the President for the next two years. In this role, Justina applies her problem-solving and leadership skills to make a positive impact on marginalized communities.

Justina holds a Master of Business Administration from Queen’s University, equipping her with advanced business knowledge and strategic acumen. Additionally, she earned an Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences with a minor in psychology from the University of Ottawa. This diverse educational background contributes to her well-rounded perspective and enhances her ability to approach challenges from multiple angles.

Outside of her professional commitments, Justina enjoys staying engaged with the world around her. She spends her leisure time listening to podcasts, sourcing new music, and staying active. These activities allow her to continuously expand her knowledge, explore new ideas, and maintain a balanced lifestyle.

With her dedication, expertise, and passion for driving growth and change, Justina Ikwu is a respected professional who continues to make significant contributions to the banking and Not-For-Profit industries, as well as to the communities she serves. 

Keith is Executive Director of CAFII, an Association representing Canadian Banks, Credit Unions, and Insurance Companies, with a focus on credit protection insurance, travel insurance, and direct-to-consumer distribution.  Keith was previously Acting President of the Canadian International Council, a Canadian association focused on foreign affairs with over 1000 members and 15 branches across the country.  Before that, Keith held senior implementation and client services roles at Brookfield RPS, whose client base is Canadian banks.  He has contributed in senior roles at Royal and SunAlliance Insurance Canada, and at Bank of Montreal in strategy, planning, eBusiness, and the Chairman’s Office.  Earlier in his career Keith taught at Ryerson University, worked in the Department of Foreign Affairs, and was in a senior position in the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Keith has a Master’s degree from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Western Ontario, and a Bachelor’s degree (Honours) in Economics from McGill University.  Keith has completed advanced executive programs at the Kellogg Business School at Northwestern University, at the Johnson School of Business at Cornell University, and at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.  He is married with three daughters.  

Lindsey has over 13 years of experience in the insurance industry. She has held various roles in different organizations: including Sales Advisor, Supervisor, Underwriter, and Broker Relationship Manager. She is currently the Team Lead of Personal Lines at Lloyd Sadd Insurance Brokers. Lindsey thrives in building relationships and fostering the growth of others. She is dedicated to following processes and procedures, and this is evident with her strong analytical skills.   

Lindsey is a lifelong learner. She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Bachelor of Education Degree, CIP Designation, and is currently working towards completing her CRM Designation.  

Lindsey is heavily involved in the insurance community. She has been a member of the Edmonton Insurance Association for over 9 years and has been president for 7 years. Being a part of the EIA has allowed her to attend and plan numerous events as well as network with many people in the insurance industry. She has been able to attend CAIW (Canadian Association of Insurance Women) conventions in Montreal, Halifax, Calgary & Edmonton, with many more on the horizon. She is also a member of the Honorable Order of the Blue Goose Edmonton Pond.  

Outside of work, and industry commitments. Lindsey enjoys camping and travelling with her boyfriend and two dogs, as well as golfing, and curling in the Insurance Curling league. She is also a member of the John Cameron Entertainment Group Choir, and enjoys singing in the various events that his group puts on every year, such as Crescendo and The Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree. Lindsey also enjoys giving back to her community, and has been a volunteer with Santa’s Anonymous for years.  

Margaret Wasserman, BSc (Hons), CIP, is Vice-President of Operations for The Insurance Institute of Canada. With almost 28 years in the insurance field, Margaret has amassed a wealth of industry knowledge and experience in a variety of roles.   

Margaret joined the Insurance Institute in 2012 as Director, Western and Atlantic Operations and became Senior Director, Operations in 2016. She holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto and earned her Chartered Insurance Professional designation in 2001.  

Steve has been a government and public affairs professional for more than 20 years. He has worked for a large Canadian bank, a foreign government, several government elected representatives. He worked for 13 years at the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada and started his own government relations firm SkyBridge Strategies, which represents segments of the insurance industry with governments. He was appointed Managing Director of CAMGA in October 2020 and has led the associations into the preeminent professional trade association shaping the future of delegated underwriting. 

Teresa has been in the insurance world since 1981. She retired in December 2020 after 30 years as the Director of Claims for the Ontario School Boards’ Insurance Exchange. She has obtained her C.I.P and F.C.I.P.  Teresa is still actively involved in the Executive of the National Chapter of the Canadian Claims Managers’ Association as the National Arbitration Director and Director of Special Projects. 

Vinita Jajware-Beatty is President of the Toronto Insurance Women’s Association (TIWA), a not-for-profit trade organization. As President, Vinita acts as a resource for the entire insurance community including brokers; underwriters; claims; actuarial; and risk management professionals. In addition to her role with TIWA, Vinita serves as Chair of Dive In Canada, a DEI initiative from Lloyds of London. As an insurance professional with a risk management and property claims background, Vinita brings over 23 years of career experience to many diversity and inclusion initiatives within the insurance industry, including chairing a Women in Insuretech and Global Insuretech conference series through the India-based organization Altaworld. 

Along with her work with TIWA, Vinita is the Chief Operating Officer of Enkompass Power & Energy Corporation. A national engineering and field services firm, Enkompass has operations rooted in industries including construction; telecommunications; healthcare; manufacturing; food and beverage; pharmaceutical; mining; and insurance. Vinita is responsible for operational oversight of engineering and field services including Enterprise Risk Management and Human Resources, while maintaining a loss control engineering and commissioning professional practice.  

A graduate of the University of Guelph with a Bachelors of Commerce, Vinita has since earned her certificate in Risk Management from the University of Toronto and is a designated Canadian Risk Manager through the Global Risk Management Institute and is designated as a Construction Risk Insurance Specialist through the International Risk Management Institute. Vinita also holds a Certificate in Construction Law from Osgoode Hall Law School and is designated as a Certified Marketing Specialist with the Canadian Marketing Association. 

Jody started in insurance November 2005 with Prairie Villa Insurance as a receptionist, where she quickly learned that being on the brokering side is where she wanted to be and embarked on getting her licence and starting as a broker. Through various roles that included being both a Personal Lines and Commercial Lines broker, Jody was promoted into a management role where she thrived. Seeking a location change, Jody decided to make the move to Calgary and took successive roles as a commercial broker at both Rogers and Blue Circle Insurance. Jody’s happy place is in Operations, and when an opportunity arose to move into a Leadership role in Operations at Lundgren & Young Insurance (now Excel & Y Insurance) she took it! Today, Jody is the VP of Operations and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the brokerage.  

Jody has a long history with the IBAA. Starting in 2009 with the Peace River Local Council, she took a position with the local PYIB before returning as the Local Council as Chair in 2012. In 2014, Jody joined the Executive of the PYIB, becoming PYIB President for both 2015 & 2016. After her term finished, Jody took the Calgary Local Chair position, before joining the Executive in 2019. Continuing her trend of serving as President for multiple years (and thanks to a pandemic) Jody was President of the IBAA for 2020 & 2021 and is now the current Chair of the IBAA Board; she is also the current director representing Alberta on the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) board.  

Jody loves insurance and is always promoting Brokering as a career, encouraging people to think of insurance as an option and join this great industry. Jody is a strong advocate for the consumer, working with industry leaders, peers and advocating to government at both the Provincial and Federal level, for solutions that are in the best interests of the consumer. She believes strongly that consumers receive the best advice, choice and advocacy when purchasing insurance from a Broker. Jody has also become a strong advocate for embracing technology, she believes that digital solutions work to the benefit of both the broker and the consumer, making the insurance purchasing experience better for both.  

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Jody’s career keeps her very busy! Outside the office she spends her time with her friends and family, spending time chasing her retired (but busier than ever) parents around North America and traveling whenever and wherever she can!  

Nicole Hackney is a seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in the mutual insurance industry. She is currently a Team Lead in Business Operations at Farm Mutual Re, where she excels in fostering team collaboration and driving results. Nicole also serves as a part-time Professor at Fanshawe College and an Instructor at The Insurance Institute of Canada, where she shares her extensive knowledge and expertise with the next generation of insurance professionals. 

Nicole is committed to continuous professional development. She holds the Certified Insurance Professional (CIP) designation and has earned additional certifications in Risk Management, the Instructor Certification Program (ICP), and both In-Person and Virtual Teaching and Training Techniques. She is also pursuing the Excellence in Executive Leadership certificate at the Rotman School of Management to further refine her leadership skills and strategic insight. 

Beyond her professional achievements, Nicole is dedicated to community service. She has served as a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters, participated in the Meals from the Heart program through the Ronald McDonald House, and currently holds a board position on the Insurance Institute of Southwestern Ontario Chapter. 

Passionate about leadership, learning, and volunteering, Nicole strives to make a meaningful impact both in her career and within her community.