Leadership figures hail financial strength and organization's shared identity
At the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Calgary, Co-operators emphasized resilience amidst a complex environment.
The event saw 96 delegates from 46 member organizations across Canada gather to discuss achievements, elect the board of directors, and reaffirm the company's strategic direction and cooperative identity.
Co‑operators is a Canadian financial services co-operative, offering multi-line insurance and investment products, services, and advice. It has more than $62 billion in assets under administration.
At the AGM, leadership figures, including the president and CEO Rob Wesseling, CFO Karen Higgins, and board chairperson John Harvie, shared insights on the company's strategic achievements and future directions.
"By design, co‑operatives are really good at bringing people together,” Wesseling said. “Our collective ability to influence change is reflected through our shared identity. Co‑operators and its members are pulling in the same direction for the same reasons. This is, and always will be, core to our business. It anchors who we are as organizations. It anchors the decisions we make. And it pushes us to go further, creating positive change."
Higgins added: “Our financial strength ensures we are able to meet the needs of our clients and members as well as continue to serve and support our communities. We are able to operate through times of economic and inflationary volatility; are able to withstand the continued growing impact of climate change; and withstand short-term increases in claims trends that we are currently seeing. We continue to have a very strong balance sheet and capital position to support our long-term strategic priorities."
Diversity and inclusivity were also central themes at the AGM, culminating in the launch of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) in Governance strategy. This initiative aims to enhance decision-making through a diverse array of voices and experiences.
The board welcomed François Hastir from Quebec as a new director and announced the re-election of the following seven directors: Christie Stephenson, British Columbia; Jennifer Uhren, Saskatchewan; Mike Csversko, Manitoba; Pierre Dorval, Ontario; Chris Johnson, Ontario; Nicole Waldon, Ontario; Robert Moreau, Atlantic. The board also acknowledged the contributions of retiring director Louis-H Campagna.
The event spotlighted future leaders, with the Co-operators Young Leaders Award recipients participating in a panel discussion on engaging youth with the cooperative business model for a sustainable future.
Highlighting its commitment to community and youth leadership, Co-operators donated $5,000 to The Howl Experience. This Calgary-based non-profit focuses on experiential learning for youth, emphasizing reconciliation, community resilience, and sustainability.
Adam Robb, founder and co-director of The Howl Experience, remarked on the shared values between the two organizations and the importance of building a strong, hopeful community foundation for youth.
