July 28, 2022 (Toronto) – Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is pleased to announce that its Board of Directors has elected Heather Masterson as its Chair. Ms. Masterson is President and Chief Executive Officer of Travelers Canada.
"I'm proud of our industry and the work we do to protect Canadians from coast to coast," said Masterson. "As the voice of Canada's property and casualty insurance industry, IBC is uniquely positioned to help address shared challenges and forge solutions to pressing issues. Through IBC, the industry will continue engaging governments and stakeholders across Canada to drive changes that will benefit Canadian businesses and consumers. I look forward to continuing this important work and representing the shared values of our industry."
Masterson brings more than 25 years of industry experience, market and broker expertise, and executive leadership to this role. She joined Travelers Canada in 2015 as its Chief Operating Officer and became the company's President and CEO one year later. Prior to joining Travelers, she was President and CEO of Totten Insurance Group, and a senior executive at Hub International and AIG.
In addition to serving as Chair of IBC's Board of Directors, Masterson is Chair of the Insurance Institute of Canada's national board and is a board member of both the Property and Casualty Insurance Compensation Corporation and Équité Association.
Masterson is a founding member of the Insurance Super Club Canadian Chapter and Advisory Board; currently, she's a supporter as well as a Global Ambassador for the chapter and board. In addition, she previously served as President of the Insurance Institute of Ontario and served on the General Insurance Statistical Agency board for four years. She was also a board member of the Women's Brain Health Institute for two years.
The industry has recognized Masterson's stellar leadership record. In 2013, she was honoured with a "Business Insurance Women to Watch Award." Then in 2014, she received the HUB International Chairman's Award. In 2018, she won Insurance Business Canada's "Woman of Distinction Award." And in 2020 and 2021, Masterson was recognized as one of the Insurance Business Global 100.
Masterson has a Bachelor of Arts from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Education from Memorial University of Newfoundland. She has also earned a Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.
"In her new role as Chair, Ms. Masterson brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to IBC," said Don Forgeron, President and CEO, IBC. "We look forward to working with her to reach our goals of helping consumers and keeping Canada's insurance industry strong and robust. With Ms. Masterson's leadership, IBC will continue to advance its strategic priorities with communities, stakeholders and governments across the country."