Intact’s Diversity & Inclusion Council was established in 2006, and is made up of 15 senior leaders from across the company. The council members work to reinforce our Values of Respect and Integrity.
The council monitors Intact’s progress when it comes to diversity representation and inclusive competencies, provides thought leadership to align D&I priorities with business imperatives and champions D&I initiatives in our business units.
Meet our members:
Alena Kharkavets, Anne Fortin, Carmen Duarte, Christian Menkens, Denise Thompson, Ingrid Phillips, Isabelle Girard, Karim Hobeila, Michael Ackerman, Rob Boyle, Samir Abdallah, Stephanie Lee, Tina Debos and Yoomi Wynveen.
Alena Kharkavets
Vice President
Digital Strategy & Customer Experience
Why are you a D&I Council member?
I am a D&I Council member, first and foremost, because I want to make a difference. Diversity & Inclusion are fundamental for both a successful workplace and a strong, and welcoming society. If I can make any sort of positive change, even a small one, to help make our workplace and our world a better place for everyone, I want to do it!
Why is D&I important to you?
Diversity & Inclusion are a part of my life every single day. It’s my responsibility to learn about what I can do to create safer spaces, both at work and at home. While I don’t know everything and I still make mistakes, I try to challenge myself each day to be a positive role model for my young daughters, 2 and 4. Change starts with all of us.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
I am most proud of our introduction of metrics to measure our progress on Diversity & Inclusion. As a girl seriously studying math and growing up in Eastern Europe, I was taught by my mom and dad that the sky is the limit. A dear friend of mine, born in India and also very passionate about D&I, is debating about meritocracy versus metrics around the D &I with me to this date! I had to give it a serious thought: Where do I stand on putting metrics around tracking how many women or visible minorities, for example, are on the board or in senior ranks? For me, what gets measured gets done, and I am so happy we were able to advocate to the Execution Committee to adopt metrics. It is always nice to see how we’re progressing, and this has really moved the needle. Be sure to participate in the Count Me In! campaign, coming next week!
Anne Fortin
Senior Vice President
Direct Distribution and Chief Marketing Officer
Why are you a D&I Council member?
I first became a member to advocate for the rights and equality of women. That is what I had in mind about seven years ago when I accepted to sit on the board.
However, this role has shed significant light on other diversity issues and the systemic discrimination that many of our colleagues face. Today, concerns related to diversity and inclusion of all kinds occupy a great deal of space in my thinking and spur my desire to fight social injustice.
The role of the Diversity & Inclusion Council is crucial in building a stronger culture by rethinking practices, encouraging differences and helping to create a respectful, inclusive and diverse workplace.
Why is D&I important to you?
I am the mother of two daughters and it is my wish to see them grow up in a better world. One that is fair, accepting and kind where the battles we are fighting today have been won. It is for them, among others, that I plead for respect and diversity and commit myself to promoting inclusion. Whether in the office or at home, we all have a role to play in breaking down barriers, creating opportunities for collaboration, recognizing the value of our differences, and overcoming unconscious biases. My role on the Diversity & Inclusion Council aims to bring about positive change within Intact and the communities in which we live so that everyone can recognize the value of diversity.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
Guided by our values and beliefs, belairdirect recently made a statement about its partnership with Edmonton’s football team, encouraging the team to reconsider their name that has been a point of criticism for some time. As one of the 13 major sponsors of the team, belairdirect was not alone with the concern over the continued use of the name, as other partners had expressed similar concerns. As a result of these actions and with input of the Inuit community, the team announced its intention to change its name. We are proud to have acted as a force for positive change and are dedicated to support the Edmonton team throughout this process. This was one step in the right direction in a much larger fight. Each step counts, and as long as we are moving forward, we are making progress.
Carmen Duarte
Director, Communications
OneBeacon
Why are you a D&I Council member?
I am a newer Council member, having joined the group in 2020. Early in my career I spent a number of years in HR, so have always had a passion around talent, engagement and being a top employer. Today, that requires having a culture that embraces diversity and inclusion across all facets, so serving on the Council provides me with an opportunity to directly contribute to this commitment at Intact.
Why is D&I important to you?
I actually hope it’s important to everyone at Intact, as we need companywide belief and support of D&I principles in order to fully become an inclusive business. We’re living through an important time for D&I advocates, as stakeholders are demanding very different expectations of the brands where they work, shop and otherwise support. As a marketer, I think those companies that accept the challenge will not only make a difference, but will enhance their brand equity.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
As a newer Council member, I can only speak about 2020 efforts. The quick actions taken to convene as a group following the social justice activism that unfolded after George Floyd’s murder was a strong indicator of the Council’s commitment to doing the right thing. We thoughtfully worked with the D&I Task Force to consider how to expand D&I’s mandate from talent to enterprise-wide opportunities, and now have a strong slate of actionable options. Our challenge will be to be both strategic and tactical, so we take meaningful steps within the spirit of common objectives that align to our values and culture.
Christian Menkens
Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer
Information Technology
Why are you a D&I Council member?
Because I strongly believe that diversity is a strength that sets us apart as an organization. I hope that with my contributions to the council I can advance diversity and inclusion across our whole organization. I believe that this way, I can provide some of my past global experience from working with diverse organizations to the benefit of Intact.
Why is D&I important to you?
An inclusive company and society that leverages diverse contributions, thoughts, ideas and capabilities can achieve things that otherwise could not be achieved at all, no matter how much work and effort is put in. When we bring more voices and perspectives to the table, it changes the dynamic and unlocks greater opportunities. It impacts employee engagement, the customer experiences we provide, our operations, and our ability to succeed.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
I am proud of the amazing work and fast turnaround that the D&I taskforce around Visible Minority and Person of Color achieved so quickly. The outcomes led to several efforts internally, as well as to Intact joining two external initiatives: the BlackNorth Initiative in Canada, and the #StopHateForProfit initiative to boycott advertising on Facebook in July. The outcomes assure that, around the topic of Visible Minorities and People of Color, building on our current Diversity and Inclusion Strategy will be a top priority.
Denise Thompson
Vice President, Human Capital Management
Why are you a D&I Council member?
There is an element that is about wanting to do the right thing and to help people achieve all that they are capable of. We have the opportunity to help nearly 16,000 people from all backgrounds, skillsets and places of birth feel like they belong and do their best work!
Why is D&I important to you?
I see Diversity & Inclusion being important on multiple levels – for individuals, businesses and society:
- Individuals feeling included and valued, achieving what they wish.
- It leads to innovation and better outcomes for customers – people with different perspectives from lived experiences results in more innovative outcomes. Research shows that companies with more gender and ethnic diversity have higher revenues.
- In society, diversity leads to positive economic outcomes and higher GDP – this is good for every single member of society.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
I am very proud of the work the folks who started our LGBT & Allies network have done. They are a grassroots team super committed to making a difference.
Ingrid Phillips
Vice-President Corporate Claims & IFC Procurement
Why are you a D&I Council member?
I had the opportunity to be nominated back in 2017 to the Council. At that point I had always been aware of the importance of diversity at Intact and the work the previous members had accomplished. But participating on the Council has really given me and heightened awareness of my own personal impact on the topic – in and out of the council as well as outside of Intact in my personal life, as well.
Why is D&I important to you?
Everyone can be an ally but its key to really to make a difference in your actions each and every day. I feel very lucky to work in an organization where it is embedded in our values and strategy.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
There is still much to do, but I am most proud that Intact has put Diversity and Inclusion at the heart of their strategy. We are lucky to have the commitment and support from a dedicated D & I team within the organization. As well, the growth and expansion of networks and ally programs have been so important to this success.
Isabelle Girard
Senior Vice President, Personal Lines
Why are you a D&I Council member?
I am convinced that the best teams are made with diverse people and different points of view, working together in an inclusive environment so that we can respectfully challenge ourselves, even sometimes be outside our comfort zone, which in turn allows us to develop ourselves professionally and personally. So I feel privileged to be part of the D&I Council, being able to exchange my perspective on Diversity & Inclusion with my colleagues and influence next steps of our organization in its Diversity & Inclusion Journey.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
I am very proud of Inclusion Circles that we hosted a few years ago on Gender, and more recently on Visible Minorities. Those listening forums are important to exchange with employees on workplace challenges, perceptions and concerns, and will guide the D&I action plan going forward.
Karim Hobeila
Director, Actuarial
Why are you a D&I Council member?
Because I want to be a part of the change in how organizations think about Diversity & Inclusion. D&I isn’t just another governance item; it’s a real way for us to make a positive impact in our society.
Why is D&I important to you?
D&I is important for me because I truly see it as a competitive advantage. By giving equal opportunity to a diverse workforce, we are able to leverage multiple different ways of thinking and solving problems.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
We’ve made tremendous strides on the gender front and we’ve been quick to deploy efforts in the past few months around our visible minority strategy.
Michael Ackerman
Director, Commercial Lines
Why are you a D&I Council member?
First, to make a difference and secondly, to gain perspective on the challenges people face at work and within their communities. I realize I live a privileged life and my actions have an impact on our communities and can help make a difference. It’s critical for our collective success for each of us to reflect on how we can influence our company to be more inclusive for everyone.
Why is D&I important to you?
The world we live in should be fair for everyone to be themselves and reach their full potential. One needs to dream big when thinking about Diversity & Inclusion. The difficulty is for us to individually challenge our own beliefs, to drill into the core of yourself, then being brave enough to address injustice in your own way. Big or small efforts can support significant movement to shape today and the next generation.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
Over the past couple of years, the ongoing work associated with gender equality at the VP level and above. More recently, the response to racial injustice for visible minorities/people of color. By listening to our employees, signing the BlackNorth Initiative and making substantial donations to charities to influence meaningful change. This is just a starting point; there a lot of work ahead of us.
Rob Boyle
Vice President, Specialty Solutions
Why are you a D&I Council member?
I am the newest member of the Diversity & Inclusion council. I have joined at a time where I believe that meaningful and sustained change is achievable. I believe that we are at a moment in history where issues of equality, respect, diversity and inclusion will not fade from our consciousness as in the past. There has been a paradigm shift in society and I am excited to be part of this cross-functional team that has the desire and the opportunity to lead change in our organization.
Why is D&I important to you?
I am not someone who has experienced racism, exclusion, or discrimination in the past but I am someone who has attaches a strong personal value to fairness and equality.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
Although I have not been on the Council long, I have been so impressed by our willingness to stop and listen. In times of crisis, the natural instinct is to act quickly to remedy the situation. However, in this environment, a critical step was added to give people a chance to express themselves and really have their stories heard. I am proud that our senior leaders are so invested in the wellness of our employees and are insisting that through the D&I Council, we affect meaningful change.
Samir Abdallah
Director, Business Development
Why are you a D&I Council member?
Impacts of diversity is something I’ve lived with my entire life. I’ve seen the positive impacts of D&I and, unfortunately, I’ve also seen the negatives. Being a council member has allowed me to add my perspective, share my experiences and to help push for continual positive change
Why is D&I important to you?
Diversity touches all of us every day. Seeing diversity is easy; acknowledging diversity is the next step and embracing diversity is what is important to me! Equality is not a privilege; it should be part of our basic human rights. As we embrace each other, we pave the way for equality.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
We know that these topics can be sensitive and difficult for some people to discuss. Not all organizations are willing to take the necessary steps towards a more diverse and inclusive work environment. Many initiatives are underway at Intact, and I must say that I’m so proud that our organization is not only committed to treating everyone fairly, but also taking action to provide a safe, welcoming and equal environment for all.
Stephanie Lee
Vice President, Legal Affairs
Why are you a D&I Council member?
I joined the Diversity &Inclusion Council earlier this year and was impressed right away by the commitment of the members of the Council and D&I Team. The Council takes its role very seriously in championing D&I and helping mold D&I strategy. I am privileged to hold the position that I have at IFC, so if as a member of the Council, I can contribute by bringing different perspectives and helping to advance the D&I discussion, then I feel that it is not only an opportunity but I have a responsibility to do so.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
The rapid steps taken this year following the events that took place in the U.S. and the resulting social unrest in both the U.S. and Canada, by putting in place the Visible Minority & People of Color Task Force, holding the employee listening circles, implementing mandatory training, and redefining our priorities and roadmap, especially in terms of the talent pipeline and recruitment, and this with support from the highest levels of the organization, is a testament to the importance of Diversity & Inclusion at IFC. But as we know, this is not a one-and-done exercise, there is much more to be achieved over time to effect sustainable progress in D&I.
Tina Debos
Director, Diversity & Inclusion
Why are you a D&I Council member?
A big part of my role at Intact involves providing thought leadership and working closely with the business, HR and employee community to define, develop and implement Intact’s D＆I strategy. Working with the other members of the D&I Council representing every business unit enables us to be mindful to align our D&I strategy with the full spectrum of people and business priorities for all IFC. On Monday, we’re launching our Count Me In! campaign which will be key to help focus our Council’s work even more – hope everyone takes a minute to share their diversity information.
Why is D&I important to you?
I often call Diversity & Inclusion my chosen career and the one that best aligns with my purpose and need to be an agent for change. After being a financial analyst for 10 years, I changed career paths to find an industry and profession that was better aligned with my purpose. Today, I’m doing what I am passionate about, driven to ensure that our workplace values difference and fosters a culture which is conducive to developing and retaining talented, diverse people.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
Since joining Intact in October 2019, there are a number of initiatives that stand out, each providing a sense of pride because of the impact they had on the organization. First, developing and rolling out the training that 1800 IFC managers took part in to help their teams manage through the mental health challenges related to the pandemic. It helped bring the conversation about mental health to the forefront and better understand the importance of demonstrating inclusive behaviours.
Second was hosting Inclusion Circles with over 120 employees this summer. Having the opportunity to listen to employee feedback on workplace challenges and perceptions, translating the conversations into a key themes report and then working with the Visible Minorities/People of Colour Task Force and D&I Council to prepare recommended actions was extremely rewarding because of the impact it’ll have to build sustainable change and equity in the organization.
Yoomi Wynveen
Vice President, Personal Lines West
Why are you a D&I Council member?
To actively participate in a discussion shaping a D&I strategy for IFC and to honestly share my experience and point of view in being one of the visible minority leaders within the organization.
Why is D&I important to you?
To help everyone feel like they belong and are part of our organization. My personal view is that people bring the best of themselves when they feel that they can be their unique self and are surrounded by people and a culture that embraces everyone’s uniqueness.
What D&I initiatives/achievements are you proudest of?
Being a part of the People of Color/Visible Minority Task Force – a great opportunity to listen, reflect and challenge my own thought process on what we should do as an organization to make a meaningful impact.
Thank you for taking the time to get to know members of our Diversity & Inclusion Council.