The Insurance Institute of Canada has elected James Russell, president and CEO of TD Insurance, as the chairman of its board of governors.
Russell was elected at IIC’s annual general meeting, alongside the rest of the 2024-25 executive committee.
Russell joined TD in 2014. As head of the largest direct-to-consumer P&C insurer in Canada, Russell has led some of the insurer’s most complex projects, including modernizing the organization’s legacy infrastructure, and supporting its digital marketing expansion.
He has more than 25 years of experience in the industry, starting his career at The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company (now Travelers Canada), and has held senior roles at Canada Life, Aviva Canada, and Facility Association before joining TD, according to his LinkedIn profile.
He is a fellow of both the Casualty Actuarial Society and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. He holds his bachelor of actuarial mathematics from the University of Waterloo.
“The Insurance Institute of Canada is a strategic industry partner. As stakeholders, we recognize the pivotal role it plays in advancing our profession through its formal educational programs,” Russell comments in a release. “I am honoured to accept the role of chair, and I look forward to providing guidance on these vital programs that strengthen our careers, organizations and industry.”
Joining Russell is the new cohort of IIC’s executive committee for the 2024-25 term. The board of governors includes:
- Stéphane Lespérance: deputy chair and president of Aon Canada.
- Nick Creatura: vice chair, membership-at-large, and president and CEO of CNA Canada, Continental Casualty Company.
- Valérie Lavoie: immediate past chair, president and chief operating officer of Desjardins General Insurance Group.
IIC’s regional vice chairs are:
- Kerry McLaughlin – Western provinces
- Tracy Krunic – Ontario
- Alex Stringer – Québec
- Tricia Hashie – Atlantic provinces
And the divisional vice chairs:
- Paul Croft – Academic
- Renée-Léa Soucy – Professionals
Feature image by iStock.com/Igor Kutyaev
