Headquarters:

Ottawa, Ontario

Year founded:

2001

Number of employees:

1–10

Phone:

1 866 688 2845

Email:

mperron@yowcanada.com

Website:

yowcanada.com

LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/company/yowcanadainc

“We put our customers at the centre of our business, responding to brokers in a proactive and timely manner and working with the customer to understand their unique risk profile and tailor appropriate solutions”

Erica Kofie, QBE

YOW CANADA

Marie-Chantale Perron

Director of Marketing and Sales

Brandon Mackean

Director of Technical Services

Claude Bigras

Director, President and CEO

Leadership

Rennie Kissoonsingh is GDI Canada’s vice president of safety, responsible for regional operations in the greater Toronto region. Rennie has been with GDI for 15 years and has progressively introduced standards and procedures to elevate GDI’s internal safety culture across Canada. Rennie is a Certified Registered Safety Professional (CRSP) and holds an honours degree in applied science (BASc) as well as an Executive Masters of Business Administration. Rennie is based in GDI’s Toronto office.

Vice President, Safety and Regional Operations (GTA)

Rennie Kissoonsingh

bio to follow

Vice President, Safety and Quality

Mike Cadotte

Since 1982, Claud Bigras has spent his career in the construction, janitorial and facility maintenance industry. He joined GDI in 1994 and later became a major shareholder in 1998. Over the years, he has held many positions, and became president and CEO of GDI in December 2004. In this role, he has overseen GDI’s significant organic and acquisition-based growth, leading GDI to become the largest janitorial services company in Canada, and one of the largest in North America. Through his leadership, perspective and experience, Bigras has driven the development of the company’s key financial strategic planning, and brings with him an exceptional track record of disciplined capital allocation and strategic acquisitions. He holds certificates in Finance and Management from École des Hautes Études Commerciales in Montréal.

Director, President and CEO

Claud Bigras

Erica Kofie, QBE

“We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations”

Erica Kofie, QBE

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“We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations”

Erica Kofie, QBE

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Stephane Lavigne

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Stephane Lavigne joined GDI in September 2016 after a year with IPL, where he was the executive vice president and CFO from July 2014 to July 2015 and president and CEO following the sale of the company from August 2015 to October 2015. Prior to his tenure at IPL, Lavigne held the position of senior vice-president, corporate business development and M&A from January 2014 to June 2014 and vice president, strategic initiatives, finance and IT from June 2012 to December 2013 with Superior Energy Group, a subsidiary of Superior Plus Corp. He joined Supremex in 1991 and occupied various positions, including vice president and CFO from January 1996 to May 2012. Lavigne started his career with KPMG in 1988. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Université du Québec à Montréal and is a member of the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec (CPA).

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Stephane Lavigne

Avi Steinberg

President, Janitorial Quebec and President, Modern Cleaning Concept

Avi Steinberg is president (Québec region) for the janitorial business segment and his responsibilities include managing GDI’s cleaning operations in the Québec market. He is also responsible for the management and expansion of the GDI’s Franchise Group, which includes Modern Cleaning Concept LP. Prior to joining GDI, Steinberg developed long-term growth strategies and led large M&A initiatives for Iron Mountain. He also worked as a management consultant at McKinsey & Co., helping retailers improve their profitability through banner optimization, and working with financial institutions to negotiate information technology purchases and facilitating implementation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from McGill University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

President, Janitorial Quebec and President, Modern Cleaning Concept

Avi Steinberg

An award-winning online safety training provider, YOW Canada develops courses and materials to help Canadians with occupational health and safety compliance. With over 20 years of industry experience, it proudly offers fully trackable, user-friendly training courses and outstanding customer support. YOW’s team of dedicated professionals ensures that the most accurate information is available to its clients. Each one of its courses and training products is reviewed by industry professionals to ensure accuracy, relevancy and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. YOW values customer input, and it has helped the company streamline its training and administration tools over the years. A great deal of time and effort goes into the courses that the YOW develops, and the company is proud of what it offers. YOW’s courses are easy to use, dynamic and effective. YOW’s list of online courses includes WHMIS/SIMDUT, Workplace Violence & Harassment, Transportation of Dangerous Goods, Confined Spaces, Fall Protection, Lockout/Tagout, and H2S Awareness.

“We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations”

Erica Kofie, QBE

Fred Edwards

Chief Marketing Officer

Kevin Padley

Executive Vice President, Integrated Facility Services and Janitorial Canada Sales

Mike Boomrod

President, Janitorial USA

Evelyn Peng

Chief Risk Officer

Fred Edwards joined the GDI team in 2013 as president, Western Canada, and during the period from 2013 to 2018, GDI became the largest cleaning services provider in the Western Canada region. In 2019, he moved on from his previous role to become the chief marketing officer for the GDI group of companies. He has over 35 years of experience in the cleaning services industry. Prior to joining GDI, he was the president and CEO of Servpro Cleaning (Calgary), which he grew to become one of the largest cleaning services providers in Alberta. He has served as a board member for BOMA Calgary and is currently a board member for the BOMA Calgary Foundation. He is an active member of the Calgary community and supports multiple charities around the city.

Chief Marketing Officer

Fred Edwards

Kevin Padley joined GDI in February 2021 as senior vice president of Integrated Facility Services, responsible for leading, managing and growing GDI’s integrated facility services. He is a key member of the senior management team and is based in the Toronto office. Prior to joining GDI, he spent the last 10 years with JLL, where he was responsible for supporting and developing integrated facility management solutions in North America. He excels in providing client solutions, management, team building and strategic planning. He has over 25 years of experience in the commercial real estate and facility management industries.

Executive Vice President, Integrated Facility Services and Janitorial Canada Sales

Kevin Padley

Mike Boomrod has served as the president of the GDI’s janitorial USA business segment since July 2020. From 2013 to 2020, he occupied successive roles as president, Midwest and regional president for the company’s US operating subsidiary. Prior to joining GDI, Boomrod started his career in the facility services industry as director of operations at Omni Facility Services, working alongside his father, Ahmed, prior to Omni’s merger with the company’s US entity in 2014. Boomrod is based in the Southfield, Michigan office. He received his BA in Business Management from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.

President, Janitorial USA

Mike Boomrod

Evelyn Peng started at CCG in 2017 as director of risk management and now serves as the chief risk officer for the organization. She has a Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and a Master’s in Accounting from the University of Waterloo. She has extensive experience with enterprise risk management, specializing in operational risk management, and financial risk management. Evelyn is a Chartered Accountant and a Financial Risk Manager.

Chief Risk Officer

Evelyn Peng

Chief Risk Officer

Evelyn Peng

Chief Risk Officer

Evelyn Peng

Sarah M Stewart

Associate Vice President, Leasing and Call Centre Operations

Karen Bannister, CM

Vice President, Marketing

Dave Longbottom

Chief Technology Officer

Alex Ventura

Head of Marketing

Damian Palovick

Senior Vice President of Underwriting AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Dr. Mary Lavoie

Head of Risk Management and Senior Vice President AXA XL – Delegated Authority Programs, North America

Mark Bernacki

Chief Underwriting Officer

Ryan Armijo

Chief Operating Officer, Underwriting Division

Bob Petrilli

President, Underwriting Division

“Despite the challenging claims environment, QBE’s coverage and risk appetite have remained consistent. Brokers and customers know and understand our risk appetite and the cover we offer, providing them with certainty for the future,” says Erica Kofie, head of cyber proposition. “We put our customers at the centre of our business, responding to brokers in a proactive and timely manner and working with the customer to understand their unique risk profile and tailor appropriate solutions.” Kofie adds, “Through 2022, QBE successfully delivered significant growth in the cyber sector, reflecting the depth and strength of our team. We continue to see cyber as a key opportunity and will be further developing customer-centric solutions across various geographies and segments in line with our growth aspirations.”

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Earlene Huntley

Group Chief Financial Officer

Melissa Abramowitz

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Melissa Abramowitz has been practicing corporate and commercial law for over 20 years, with an emphasis on the financial services industry. She joined CAA Club Group in 2014, and currently serves as the General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer of CCG and its affiliated companies. At CCG, Melissa provides strategic legal advice on a broad range of matters including corporate governance, licensing, distribution, marketing and advertising, commercial contracts and regulatory compliance. She holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (B.CL) and Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from McGill University and a Certificate in Regulatory Compliance for Financial Institutions from Osgoode.

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Melissa Abramowitz

Earlene Huntley joined CAA in 2014 as director, tax and was promoted to AVP, tax in 2016, and to her current role as group chief financial officer of CAA Club Group in February 2017. In her role, she is responsible for all aspects of finance. She is a graduate of the University of the West Indies where she earned her BSc. Accounting (Hons) and is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the United Kingdom.

Group Chief Financial Officer

Earlene Huntley

Simon Williams

Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955

Simon Williams

Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955

Group Chief Financial Officer

Earlene Huntley

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Melissa Abramowitz

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Earlene Huntley

Group Chief Financial Officer

Earlene Huntley

General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Privacy Officer

Melissa Abramowitz

Management liability Arch Insurance’s management liability team is dedicated to addressing the needs of our partners. Our underwriting approach is to recognize and address exposures particular to each insured and offer creative solutions for our customers including complex risk and hard-to-place industries. Know more here: insurance.archgroup.com/north-america/canada/offering/management-liability Cyber Arch Insurance’s experienced underwriting team takes a forward-looking approach to writing network security, privacy and media liability for mid-to-large accounts. Professional liability Arch Insurance’s professional liability team is positioned to offer professional liability programs for financial service firms.