Women Leaders in the Benefits, Pensions, and Institutional Investments Industry | Elite Women (original) (raw)

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Creating a brighter future

Benefits and Pensions Monitor names 45 influential women leaders to its inaugural 2024 list of Elite Women, a passionate cohort dedicated to breaking down barriers and raising standards in the financial services sector.

“The industry overall has evolved, yet we still have a long way to go,” reflects Roxana Nache, a national director of wealth at Canada Life, who commented on this year’s report. “We need to be each other’s greatest allies and cheerleaders.”

This year’s Elite Women are at the forefront of the Canadian benefits, pensions, and institutional investments industry. They are leading with authenticity, they value diversity, and they are helping to reshape industry standards for the next generation of women leaders by:

As the following five award-winning women leaders illustrate, their achievements and impact transcend traditional practices and norms.

Helen Hurlbut – Equiton

Co-founder and CFO

Drawing on her three decades of transformational leadership in the real estate business, Hurlbut seized an opportunity nine years ago to establish private equity firm Equiton, an emerging leader in Canada’s real estate investment space.

Since the beginning, she has consistently prioritized inclusion and team empowerment while delivering remarkable growth:

In support of her nomination for BPM’s Elite Woman award, a former direct report acknowledged, “Helen has a vision for more than just the numbers. She has always been invested in the professional growth of her team, often setting lofty and challenging goals to which they can rise.”

It’s no surprise that Hurlbut cites leading Equiton’s team on its growth journey as rewarding. She also finds joy in seeing the smiles on employees’ faces as she walks the halls, a testament to her dedication to building a diverse workforce where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported.

“In the real estate industry, female representation is less common,” Hurlbut remarks. “It’s important to me to make women feel they have the chance to thrive and achieve their goals.”

Helen Hurlbut Equiton

“Through my own actions, I’m working to improve this industry for the better. By empowering more women to rise, we’re going to see a meaningful and positive transformation”
Helen HurlbutEquiton

Christina Iacoucci – BGO

Head of Canada and Canadian CIO

As the first female CIO and head of Canada in BGO's 100-year history, Iacoucci has broken barriers and now serves as an inspiration to aspiring women leaders in the real estate investment space.

With more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate, Iacoucci’s accomplishments underscore her commitment to pushing boundaries:

“The most rewarding aspect of my work is leading and collaborating with my team, who incorporate diverse perspectives while seamlessly integrating innovation, sustainability, and positive social impact on the asset that we build and manage for our clients,” she explains. “It’s not just about enhancing the built environment around us but also enhancing the experience of the people these assets impact.”

Iacoucci also embraces the opportunity to share her story of personal and professional challenges with partial deafness to help others face their obstacles with strength and resolve.

She firmly believes that these challenges should not define one’s potential, and, with the support of an important mentor, Iacoucci was able to build a rewarding career. She continues to be actively engaged in speaking engagements despite some of the challenges her hearing loss poses.

“The ability to positively influence others with my story is worth the initial discomfort I felt in sharing it because it teaches others that self-imposed limitations are the only real barriers.”

Christina Iacoucci BGO

“My goal is to help shape an industry that thrives on diversity, mentorship, and a commitment to creating sustainable spaces that truly serve the diverse needs of people”
Christina IacoucciBGO

Gayle Shurvell – Alberta Health Services

Director, employee benefits and retirement programs

Regarded by her peers as a resilient, caring, and compassionate leader, Shurvell’s passion for delivering group benefit programs of the highest standards is unparalleled. She wears two operational hats in her current role, including supporting the trustees of the Health Benefits Trust of Alberta (HBTA).

Over a 35-year career, Shurvell has honed a forward-thinking leadership style that has catapulted her to the top of her field. Her recent achievements are a testament to the positive contributions she has made:

In support of Shurvell's nomination, a colleague commented, “Gayle is a visionary and always thinks about innovative ways to serve HBTA participants better while sustaining its programs. Her motto is, ‘Not if, but how, we can make things happen’.”

Beaming with pride, she reflects on the team she has built over her eight years on the employer side of the group benefits, pensions, and institutional investments industry. Shurvell emphasizes that she ensures everyone feels valued, connected, and supported. That has translated into high talent retention, comprised of people passionate about the organization’s mandate.

“Get me into a meeting where we’re brainstorming and talking about what the future looks like – that completely inspires me,” she notes, adding that her team plays a crucial role in that process. “Being able to embrace change, adapt, and shift your mindset to long-term goals is key for me.”

Gayle Shurvell Alberta Health Services

“There are challenges in the financial sector that we all strive to overcome. I’m trying to ensure the road I create for those behind me has fewer bumps along the way”
Gayle ShurvellAlberta Health Services

Anne Meloche – Sun Life Global Investments

Head of institutional business

An actuary by training with over three decades of experience in pension and investment consulting, Meloche has led Sun Life Global Investments’ institutional business team to become the 16th largest pension manager in Canada on the defined contribution side. Its institutional pension assets were $21.2 billion as of Dec. 31, 2023.

She strives to build strong relationships with colleagues by communicating clearly and encouraging diversity of thought.

Meloche has been instrumental in paving the way to innovative retirement and investment initiatives and solutions, resulting in meaningful contributions to the financial industry and all Canadians.

Highlights for which she has received Elite Woman distinction include:

“Managing and promoting talent has been and still is the most important quadrant of my leadership success,” she explains. “I’ve always put a lot of energy into building and leading a harmonious team, balancing that with the right dose of managerial courage.”

Not one to back down from challenges, Meloche has honed an approach that enables her to take a step back to understand what people need to function at their best. She gleaned this strategy from early advice that sparked a turning point in her career and continues to reap dividends.

Anne Meloche Sun Life Global Investments

“I encourage women to explore this industry and discover new interests or skill sets; they’ll have more well-rounded experience, and career progression will be at their fingertips”
Anne MelocheSun Life Global Investments

Marie-Chantal Côté – Sun Life Canada

Senior vice president of group benefits

With a career journey spanning 25 years at Sun Life Canada, Côté has held progressively senior roles across the business. She values diversity and strives to create a space for it in the workplace.

In 2021, her relentless drive, focus, and commitment to excellence culminated in her appointment to her current position, a testament to her impressive achievements, which include:

“She believes it’s OK for employees and leaders to reveal vulnerabilities, including struggles related to mental health,” a nominator remarked of Côté’s compassionate leadership. “She’s also passionate about improving the dynamics of workplace equity for women and 2SLGBTQIA+ community members.”

An unwavering dedication to leading authentically is near and dear to Côté’s heart. She brings her whole self to the office and talks candidly with her team about mental health challenges, as well as her professional experience as a member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

“"I've always tried to do things that excite me with people who inspire me,” she explains. “I need to feel that I’m doing something meaningful and purposeful because then my passion and strengths come out; boundaries don’t exist anymore.”

Marie-Chantal Côté Sun Life Canada

“When we look back and see all Canadians having access to appropriate health and product solutions for their unique needs, that is the impact I hope to have”
Marie-Chantal CôtéSun Life Canada