Dionne is a dynamic leader with twenty-five 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 one of the Co-Founders and Chair 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, has been acknowledged as Instructor of the Year through the Insurance Institute of Canada (Ontario Chapter) for 2023 and has been recently acknowledged as Insurance Business’ top 100 Best Insurance Professionals, globally. In her spare time, Dionne 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.

Since 2015, Lindsey has been an engaged member of the Edmonton Insurance Association (EIA), serving in multiple capacities on the board. Her contributions include two terms as Treasurer, seven terms as President, and she now holds the position of Director. She is also honored to represent the EIA within the Canadian Association of Insurance Women (CAIW/ACFA). Her involvement with the EIA has been a rewarding experience, offering opportunities to attend and help organize numerous industry events and to build meaningful connections with professionals across the insurance sector. Among the highlights of her involvement are the CAIW/ACFA conventions she has attended across Canada, where she has met many inspiring individuals.

Outside of her professional life, Lindsey enjoys curling—where she plays as the skip for her team in the Insurance Curling League—along with golfing, camping with her boyfriend and their two dogs, and singing. She performs on stage as part of the John Cameron Experience Choir for the Edmonton Singing Christmas Tree, as well as Crescendo.

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.

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.

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 the Team Leader of Business Operations at Farm Mutual Re, bringing over 14 years of experience in the mutual insurance industry. With a career that began in underwriting, Nicole spent 11 years developing a deep understanding of commercial and personal lines before moving into training and research, and eventually, leadership.

She is passionate about building member-centric solutions, optimizing operations, and fostering strong, people-focused teams. Nicole has shared her expertise as an instructor at both the Insurance Institute of Canada and Fanshawe College and continues to be a strong advocate for professional development within the industry.

A Chartered Insurance Professional, Nicole also holds certificates in Risk Management, Commercial Insurance, and Virtual Teaching and Training. She is currently advancing her leadership skills through the Organizational Leadership and Executive Excellence program at the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto.

Nicole is an active contributor to the industry, serving on the Southwestern Chapter Council for the Insurance Institute of Canada, and was a guest speaker at the 2023 Women in Insurance Summit Canada.