iA Financial Group reveals upcoming retirements and appointments, enhancing its US and acquisition strategies
iA Financial Group has announced a series of changes to its Executive Committee, including several key leadership transitions.
Michael Stickney, executive vice-president and chief growth officer US Operations, and co-head of Acquisitions, will retire in the coming months after 25 years of dedicated service.
Stickney, who began his tenure following the acquisition of Seaboard Life Company in 1999, has played a crucial role in various capacities, most recently focusing on US operations since August 2023.
To ensure a smooth transition, Stickney will remain as a strategic advisor in the coming months. Succeeding him will be Sean O'Brien, who has been a member of the Executive Committee and brings nearly 30 years of experience in the financial sector.
O'Brien, previously overseeing Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions along with Canadian Dealer Services and Wealth Management sectors, will now concentrate solely on expanding iA's US operations.
His new role includes managing Dealer Services, Individual Insurance, and Vericity, a US life insurance company and digital agency once the transaction is finalized.
Additionally, Denis Berthiaume will now solely oversee acquisitions, a role he shared with Stickney. As the executive vice-president of Strategy, Performance, Mergers and Acquisitions, Berthiaume will lead efforts to deploy capital in value-creating acquisitions across all business lines.
Berthiaume has been instrumental in aligning iA's strategic and operational goals since his appointment in August 2023.
iA also announced the appointment of Louis-Philippe Pouliot as Executive Vice-President, Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions.
Pouliot, who joined iA in 2008 and served in various actuarial and administrative roles, ascended through the company's ranks, most recently holding the position of Vice-President, Administration, Group Insurance, and Savings Solutions.
Pouliot’s promotion will be effective May 29, the date when all the announced changes are set to take place.
Denis Ricard, president, and chief executive officer of iA Financial Group, expressed gratitude for Stickney’s significant contributions: “Mike Stickney has played a very important role in iA's success over the past decades, and we are very grateful for his contribution. I wish him a very happy retirement.”
Ricard also praised the capabilities of the incoming leaders, noting O'Brien's exceptional business acumen and the proven track records of Berthiaume and Pouliot in driving growth and profit.
