Women Creating Legacy in Insurance Scholarship Fund

The Women Creating Legacy in Insurance Scholarship Fund will offer a scholarship to attend one of two Ivey Academy programs, based on the recipient’s qualifications: The Ivey Emerging Leaders Program or the Ivey Leadership Program.  The programs are designed to teach recipients to think more strategically, enhance their leadership abilities and address complex management issues. The recipient of this scholarship will also have access to personal coaching from faculty and peer networks. 

The Ivey Emerging Leaders 

The Ivey Emerging Leaders program is designed to help you build a foundation for success in your long-term leadership journey through a combination of self-assessment, peer learning, simulations, and faculty-led case discussions. Mindfully explore your personal approach to leadership, and work on constructing your future path. Network virtually with other leaders from across industries, learning best-practices and finding actionable takeaways for your own organization. Leap into your leadership potential with the Ivey Emerging Leaders Program.

The Ivey Emerging Leaders Program is designed for rising Canadian and International leaders who oversee small teams of direct reports or are preparing for a future leadership role and seek to reinforce their potential with a strong foundation of skills and self-awareness.

Ivey Leadership Program

Building on your experience and analysis of your personal leadership style, the Ivey Leadership Program will help you develop your leadership potential. Armed with enhanced influence and persuasion skills – and the ability to think big picture – you will confidently make the shift from managing to leading.

Through case studies, experiential learning exercises, a 360-degree assessment and post-program coaching, you will journey to a deeper self-awareness of your own strengths and weaknesses as a leader. You’ll return to work with the skills you need to drive performance, orchestrate change, and develop a leadership culture within your organization.

This program is ideal for mid-to senior-level leaders with at least 10 years of experience managing teams and direct reports.

Women who work in the insurance sector in Canada and share the same determination and values that Christie exhibited throughout her career are eligible.

Each candidate must have a strong record of:

• Demonstrating vision, leadership and an entrepreneurial spirit
• Exemplifying strong values, including tenacity, authenticity and loyalty
• Championing the customer and putting them at the heart of every decision
• Being an extraordinary role model for women in the industry
• Driving industry innovation forward to respond to evolving customer needs
• Leading digital transformation initiatives that break molds and transform the industry 

Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by an employer, peer or client.

Nominations should focus on how the candidate exemplifies Christie’s values and how she is transforming the business by committing to innovation and putting the customer first.

Nominate someone

Self-nominate

• A personal statement and video (optional) sharing the pioneering work the candidate has accomplished and the difference she makes for customers and communities. Examples include:
  • How she’s making a difference in the industry by driving innovation, digital transformation and customer-centricity
  • How she’s pioneering new initiatives within her organization
  • Activities she’s involved with outside her company to further herself professionally
  • How she supports the professional advancement of women in insurance
• The name and contact details of a professional reference from an existing employer who can speak to the candidate’s exceptional leadership abilities, commitment to advancing innovative solutions and digital disruption and dedication to meeting evolving customer needs.
  

July 26th, 2021 – 9:00 AM EST – September 24th, 2021 – 11:59 PM EST Nominations for the Women Creating Legacy in Insurance Scholarship Fund are accepted

October 21st, 2021 1:00 EST: Recipients of the scholarships are announced. 

Program dates:

Fall 2021: 2-hour Women in Leadership Ivey Course

Spring 2022: Ivey Leadership Program

Spring 2022: Ivey Emerging Leaders Program

The Ivey Academy offers the First-Time Manager Program and the Ivey Leadership Program to leaders who want to develop their leadership potential and make the shift from managing to leading. Through case studies, team-building exercises, a 360-degree assessment and post-program coaching, students form a deeper self-awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses as a leader and develop skills to drive performance, orchestrate change and develop a leadership culture within their organizations. 

In 1979, Christie Mills built Mills Insurance Broker Ltd. from nothing. She had no partner. She didn’t buy the book or inherit the business. She started it from zero, with three young children at home. Over the years, she steadily grew the business thanks to her unwavering commitment, strong relationships and loyalty to her customers. Integrity, accountability and a commitment to innovation remain the cornerstones of Mills Insurance Broker Ltd. today, with her daughter Amy Mills at the helm.

As a tribute to her legacy, her brokerage, Aviva Canada and the Ivey Academy partnered together to provide the Women Creating Legacy in Insurance Scholarship Fund to mark her retirement. The hope is to continue to inspire and advance women in leadership in the insurance sector.

The judging panel will include:

• Christie Mills, Founder Mills Insurance Brokers Ltd
• Amy Mills, President, Mills Insurance Brokers Ltd
• Charlene Ramdeo, Digital Lead, Aviva Canada
• Tania Stilson, CEO, AWIN Insurance (Fall 2019 Scholarship Recipient) 

Tania Stilson has been a long-time entrepreneur in Southern Alberta for over 25 years and she believes strongly in the necessity of both grit and grace in business.

As a business leader in her community, she was presented with the opportunity to begin a start-up general insurance company five years ago. She brought forward a new business model that has greatly benefitted insurance brokers and clients in Southern Alberta.

Through her strategic concentration on the three pillars of business; people, product, and process, Stilson and her team have collectively grown A-WIN Insurance (Lethbridge South) to an impressive volume in a short period of time, including during the tumultuous changes in Alberta in 2019.  

Given the recent acquisition of A-WIN Insurance Ltd. by Rogers Insurance Ltd., Stilson’s ability to grow will now be significantly enhanced, which lends itself to exciting new growth possibilities in a variety of areas and will enhance the customer experience at A-WIN Insurance (Lethbridge South). 

Dedicated to accelerating the advancement and leadership of women in insurance, the Canada-wide search was on for women who exemplify the values of sponsor Christie Mills, along with Mills Insurance Broker Ltd., Aviva Canada and the Ivey Academy.

The selection committee believes that Stilson strongly demonstrates the business values of exceptional courage, tenacity, and resiliency to succeed, along with her commitment to innovation and customer service.

Tania will be attending the Ivey Leadership Program in 2020.

Laura Bolster has been with Megson FitzPatrick Inc. for nearly 30 years, beginning her career there as a receptionist and now working in her current role as Managing Partner and Chief Operations Officer.

Laura’s colleagues have recognized her commitment to delivering the best possible customer experience while placing the needs of her teammates and company ahead of her own. Through careful planning and positive reinforcement, Laura played a key role in moving the company from a legacy broker management system to a modern Applied Epic® integrated platform. In addition to her duties as COO, Laura continues to manage her own book of business, which speaks volumes about her dedication to customers.

Laura has served as the President of the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Insurance Institute of Canada, President of the Victoria Insurance Brokers Association and held a seat on the executive committee of the Insurance Brokers Association of BC.

Meghan Paczkowski, Operations Manager of the marine division at McLean & Dickey Ltd., has been with the company for 12 years, starting in the mailroom and working her way up to her current role. 

Meghan’s colleagues have recognized her commitment to innovation and dedication to putting customers first. She played a key role in developing McLean & Dickey’s proprietary system “Beast” and is working on a portal to enhance the customer claims experience. She is responsible for teams in three offices across Canada, 90% of which are women, and has helped them develop their own careers and grow in their roles.

Meghan is an active member of Ontario’s Young Brokers Council and is on the board of the Barrie-Simcoe Insurance Brokers Association. 

Marianna Michael, Vice President, Principal Broker at Canfinse Group Inc. was the winner of our 2017 scholarship. Marianna’s colleagues recognize her for being innovative and leading the way for brokers in the technology space. Marianna is passionate about promoting a strong and positive image of the insurance industry, and is committed to advancing her staff’s personal and educational growth.

By 28 years-old, Marianna was the Broker Principal of Canfinse Group Inc. She currently teaches at the Insurance Institute, sits on RIBO’s board of directors, and was recognized as one of Canadian Insurance Top Broker's "Top 10 Under 40".

In 2009, Marianna implemented an e-commerce platform with a chat function for customers. She’s played a vital role in developing and implementing Canfinse’s client self-service portal. Her commitment to innovation led Canfinse to win the Technology Leader Award from CSIO, and she’s helped launch over 60 websites for clients.

womencreatinglegacycanada@aviva.com 

Charlene Ramdeo
charlene.ramdeo@aviva.com 

10 Aviva Way
Markham, Ontario L6G 0G1

Nominate someone

Self-nominate