Community Leaders

VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 1

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Community Leadership Across Ontario's Broker Channel

Cover Illustration by Madison van Rijn

This past year has been difficult and challenging for all of us. Individuals and businesses continue to struggle as we approach one year of this pandemic and three months in lockdown in some parts of the province. But throughout the struggle, Ontario’s broker channel stands out for its compassion, client advocacy and community involvement. Brokers have gotten creative in their efforts and have had to analyze how best to direct their energy to help in this new situation.

We honoured these efforts and individual stories by featuring a single category in our 2020 Awards of Excellence program—Community Leadership—where brokers were nominated by their peers. This new award highlights broker generosity, selflessness and compassion, recognizing brokers who made a difference within their communities by going above and beyond through support of local organizations or causes, unparalleled service, volunteer efforts, financial contribution or outstanding expertise.

Congratulations to all Ontario Brokers who showed resilience and helped their communities despite this difficult time. Your compassion is truly inspiring. As a token of our appreciation and gratitude, IBAO facilitated donations to each winners’ charity or organization of choice, and we’ll be featuring winners throughout the year. Cheers to you, and on behalf of your clients and communities—thank you.

Throughout the struggle, Ontario’s broker channel stands out for its compassion, client advocacy and community involvement.

2020 IBAO Community Leaders

Amanda Barth, Ontario West Insurance Brokers Arlene Wright, W. H. Williamson & Co Ashley Hainer, Insuranceland Bruce Mackay, Mackay Insurance Brokers Gord McCool, The Standard Holly Phillips, Mackay Insurance Brokers Jamie Marshall, Ontario West Insurance Brokers Jay Regimbal, Youngs Insurance Johanna Allen, Allen Insurance Group Kathy Clayborne, Youngs Insurance Lucas Prominski, Billyard Insurance Group Michelle Mortensen, Staebler Insurance Paul Hainer, Insuranceland Peter Blodgett, Darling Insurance Peter Carr, Preferred Insurance Group Rorie McIntosh, McCam Insurance Rose Palombi, Martin & Wright Insurance Ruxandra Rodgers, Leslie & Giles Insurance Stephen Darling, Stan Darling Insurance Traci Boland, Ontario West Insurance Brokers Trent Young, Rhodes & Williams Trevor McIntosh, Zensurance

AMANDA BARTH

Ontario West Insurance Brokers

Community means everything to Amanda. She gives back by volunteering at food banks, blood banks, school functions and local sporting events. As a female leader in her community, she was recently recognized as one of the Women of Influence in Strathroy by MyFM 105.7.

“I’m very proud to be recognized for my community involvement by IBAO. Giving back is part of the culture in Strathroy and the beauty of living in a small town. I chose the Strathroy Salvation Army as my donation recipient because they directly impact our community running programs like their food bank, thrift store, housing and social services.”

ASHLEY HAINER

Insuranceland

Whether it’s organizing volunteers to deliver meals, preparing meals or hosting fundraising events, Ashley is passionate about helping people in need put food on their plates. She’s part of the volunteer team at ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas and Feed Mississauga. She created both of their websites, and she volunteered at the Mississauga Food Bank every Friday morning from April to August, putting together hampers for people in need.

“I joined the ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas Foundation at the beginning of the pandemic. Within a week, we launched Feed Mississauga to help ensure no one in our community would go hungry. Giving back to the community is very important to me but being able to use my marketing and events skills to help out makes it that much more rewarding. It was an honour to be recognized by IBAO for my efforts this past year but getting to donate money to continue helping people in need was the real prize. Thank you IBAO for helping feed five families for an entire week!”

ARLENE WRIGHT

W.H. Williamson & Co

Arlene gives back to her community as much as she can, most notably taking care of the town of Picton’s flower arrangements. She’s a sponsor of many organizations including Reaching for Rainbows, The Hospice of Prince Edward, Picton Hospital Foundation and the Rotary Club.

“When I first saw the email advising that I’d been selected as one of IBAO’s Community Leaders, I dismissed it as an error or a joke. One of our staff members had submitted my name unbeknownst to me. I was truly humbled by the recognition, my efforts aren’t geared toward gaining accolades. I love my community, where I’ve spent all my life. I’m happy to contribute what I can for the betterment of my neighbours.”

VOLUME 21 | ISSUE 1

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