The Great and Powerful: Insurance Company Panel

Moderated by: Pete Tessier


Ken Bolt	Brenda Gibson	Evan Johnston	Wayne Wyborn

Ken Bolt

President & CEO, Wynward Insurance Group

Ken Bolt joined Wynward Insurance Group in 2012, and after nearly two decades in the property & casualty insurance industry in a variety of roles including underwriting, operations, distribution management and analytics, was named President of Wynward in December 2023.

Ken received his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree from the University of Manitoba and completed his Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional (FCIP) designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

A lifelong Winnipegger, Ken is proud to raise his family in the city where he grew up. In his spare time, he enjoys staying active and coaching his kids’ basketball and soccer teams. Ken is honoured to be a trustee of the Richardson Foundation and is a strong supporter of the United Way, being a part of the leadership team that has led to Wynward achieving 100% donor participation for many years running.

Brenda Gibson, CPA, CA, CIP

President & CEO, Red River Mutual

Brenda Gibson was appointed as President and CEO of Red River Mutual, a Manitoba-based Property and Casualty Insurance Company, in 2023. She is a graduate of the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) and holds the designations of Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) from the Institute of Chartered Accountants and Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

With over 19 years of experience in the insurance industry, Brenda has held various senior roles, including VP of the British Columbia Region, VP of Financial Planning and Analysis, VP of Life Insurance Products, and VP of Canadian P&C Personal Insurance Products. Her extensive background spans both corporate and operational roles, equipping her with the expertise to strategically lead Red River Mutual through its next chapter.

Since joining Red River Mutual, Brenda has been instrumental in executing the company's strategic plan, focusing on major advancements in technology, data, and innovation. She is committed to profitability and leadership, working collaboratively with a disciplined approach to achieving company objectives and strategic alignment. Brenda is excited to continue building on the company’s strong foundation through growth and diversification.

Under her leadership, Red River Mutual has been recognized as a Top Insurance Employers in 2023 and 2024 by Insurance Business Canada Magazine and was a finalist for the Westland Insurance Group Award for P&C Insurer of the Year. This year, Red River Mutual was nominated for three IBC Awards: The CAN Award for Excellence in Philanthropy & Community Service, The P&C Insurer of the Year Award, and the Outstanding Customer Experience Award.

Evan Johnston

President & CEO, Wawanesa

Evan started his career as a corporate lawyer practicing early-stage technology and biotechnology law at a boutique firm in Vancouver. He left Vancouver looking for more pure finance and international experience after having completed his Chartered Financial Analyst designation and spending two summers at the United Nations in New York City. With that in mind, he accepted a role in the Securitization practice in London, England with Clifford Chance, still the largest international law firm in the world.

Evan left London in 2008 and returned to Canada to join the Securities practice at Blakes in Calgary where he was involved in numerous public and private financings, M&A deals and general commercial transactions. He remained there until he was recruited by The Forzani Group, a national retailer of sporting goods, to act as its VP, General Counsel. In his role, he led the sale of the company to Canadian Tire in 2011. After the sale, he became the VP, General Counsel at Stuart Olson, a national commercial and industrial construction company based in Calgary, until joining Wawanesa in 2016.

Evan holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Hons.), an LLB, a CFA and an MBA from the Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. He is also a Fellow with the Life Management Institute and has completed his Chartered Insurance Professional designation. He is a Board Member of ICMIF (International Cooperative and Mutual Federation), a Board Member of the Canada Games Council, was the Co-Chair of the Major Corporations Division of the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Winnipeg United Way Campaign cabinets and continues to be involved with the Business Development Committee.

Wayne Wyborn

President & CEO, Portage Mutual Insurance

Wayne began his career with Portage Mutual in 1986 and has enjoyed various roles in the organization including Branch Manager, VP Underwriting, and Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. On January 1, 2023, he became the President and CEO.

Wayne has a diploma in Business Administration, is a Fellow of the Insurance Institute of Canada, has a risk management designation from the Risk Management Society of Canada, a Professional Farm Mutual Manager designation from the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Wayne served as Director for the Canadian Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (CAMIC) from October 2018 to October 2024 and served as their Board Chair from October 2022 – October 2024. He was appointed to the board of the General Insurance Statistical Agency (GISA) in October of 2024. He also acts as a Director for Portage Mutual Financial Inc.

Look into the Crystal Ball, My Pretty: Tech Panel

Moderated by: Ren de Moissac


Samuel Belanger Lamoureux	Nick Kidd	Dwight Heppner

Samuel Belanger Lamoureux

Co-Founder, Co-President, CRO, Ceminar

Samuel is the co-founder and co-president of Cemiar, where he leads business development and go-to-market strategies. A visionary leader, he plays a key role in Cemiar’s growth and its positioning as a North American Insurtech innovator. Leveraging AI and advanced integration technologies, Cemiar delivers custom automation solutions designed to meet the unique needs of Canadian insurance agencies.

Nick Kidd

CEO & Co-Founder, Quotey

Nick Kidd has a unique perspective on our amazing industry, having spent 28 years in leadership roles on the Insurer, MGA and Broker sides of the business in both the UK and Canada. In the process, Nick has developed functional expertise in claims, underwriting, pricing, analytics, strategy, sales and operations at companies such as AXA, Aon, April and Mitch Insurance. All of this has been channelled into Quotey, which aims to transform the way that commercial insurance works for brokers, insurers, MGAs and their clients. Nick lives in Brooklin, Ontario, with his wife and 3 kids.

Dwight Heppner

Chief Technology Officer, Guild Insurance Group

In 2002, Dwight began his career in the insurance industry. After working as a broker for nine years, he transitioned into an IT role where he supported users with technical challenges related to their daily insurance operations. His previous experience as a broker has proved to be invaluable in his current role as Chief Technology Officer at Guild Insurance Group.

Dwight's involvement with the insurance industry extends beyond his professional work. For the past 15 years, he has been deeply involved in the IBAM community, serving on the Board, a past Chair and member of the Young Broker Network, and actively participating in IBAM/MPI Committees. He is also a member of the CSIO Board and IBAC Technology Committee.

There's No Place Like Home: Broker Panel

Moderated by: Alexa Loewen


Kim Aird	Tara Chammartin	Lorie Yerama

Kim Aird

Winnipeg Area President, Arthur J Gallagher

Kim has been in the insurance industry and with Gallagher Canada Limited (previously Ranger Insurance Brokers) since 1995. She is a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB), focusing primarily on the operational side of the business. Over the years, she has developed and implemented various workflows and processes to help improve systems, create consistency, reduce errors and achieve efficiencies. Kim is dedicated to ensuring that a consistent level of professional service is adhered to in all activities and client relationships.

Tara Chammartin

Director of Finance, Partner, La Salle Insurance

Tara Chammartin began her career as an insurance broker in 1994 and is now a Partner and Director of Finance at La Salle Insurance Ltd., which has grown to 11 locations, including six in Winnipeg and five rural Manitoba offices in La Salle, Sanford, Oak Bluff, Île des Chênes, and Lorette.

She earned her Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker (CAIB) designation in 2001 and was honored with the Dale Rempel Award of Excellence from the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) in 2016. With a deep commitment to the industry, Tara has served as President and Board Member of IBAM, a past IBAC Board Member, member of many industry committees and a CAIB Facilitator.

Tara joined La Salle Insurance in 2011, when it operated just two locations. In 2016, she became a partner, helping lead the acquisition of two additional brokerages, expanding the business to six offices. Today, La Salle Insurance has 11 locations and nearly 100 team members.

Over the past 14 years, Tara has been a driving force behind the brokerage’s growth, operational advancements, and digital transformation. She has played a key role in modernizing internal systems, enhancing efficiency, and creating a more seamless experience for both clients and team members.

Beyond operations, Tara is passionate about mentorship and employee development, helping team members grow in their careers and enhance their expertise in the insurance industry. Her financial leadership has played a vital role in ensuring the brokerage’s long-term sustainability and continued success.

Tara is also a strong advocate for the insurance industry and actively supports broker representation at provincial and national levels. She remains engaged in community initiatives, reinforcing La Salle Insurance’s commitment to building strong relationships with the people, businesses and communities it serves.

Lorie Yerama

Partner, Love & Persson Group

Lorie Yerama is an accomplished insurance professional with a career that began in 1987. She earned her Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) designation in 2000 and has been a Partner at Love & Persson Group since 2004, specializing in Commercial Insurance. With decades of expertise, Lorie is known for her deep industry knowledge and commitment to excellence. Outside of work, she and her husband, Dean, enjoy life at the lake. They have two sons and their families including four grandchildren who bring even more joy to their lives. Lorie and Dean also enjoy traveling, discovering new places and experiences. A passionate advocate for education, Lorie believes that mentorship plays a key role in helping people succeed.