PROLINK Insurance Inc. has held its biggest International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration to date.
Starting out as a virtual Fireside Chat in 2022, the company’s annual IWD event transitioned into a hybrid format last year before turning into a full-blown in-person gathering for the 2024 edition. The “She Leads the Way: Strategies for Success From Women Leaders” event took place on April 5 at The Chelsea Hotel.
Spearheaded by PROLINK vice president of broker operations & compliance Melissa Bajwa (pictured), the event was supported by the Ontario Association of Social Workers (OASW), SGI Canada, and Trisura Guarantee Insurance Company.
The gathering showcased inspiring talks by notable figures such as OASW chief executive Deepy Sur and certified high performance & career coach Lauren Ritchie. The event also featured PROLINK’s Fireside Chat, with Trisura’s Alexandra Spence, Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario chief operating officer Brett Boadway, and Mandy Hillhouse of SGI Canada sitting on this year’s panel.
Throughout the event, attendees heard valuable stories, advice, and tactics for excelling in the professional realm, enhancing self-assurance, and guiding future female leaders. Bajwa, in her opening remarks, highlighted the spirit of the gathering by stating: “Here’s to breaking barriers, building bridges, and, most importantly, doing it all together.”
Among Insurance Business Canada’s Elite Women of 2024, Bajwa said when she received the Steamatic Canada Award for Woman of Distinction last year: “This award is not just for me, it’s for every woman that has struggled. Being a woman in this predominately male industry can be very, very challenging. It’s hard. So, I’m just very fortunate.
“I oversee a broker network comprised of 50% first-generation Canadian [immigrants], which is very near and dear to my heart. We need to make sure that we’re building this industry for individuals who might be new to the country and are looking for that dream.”
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