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The Co-operators has announced the appointment of Karen Higgins as its new executive vice-president and chief financial officer.
Higgins replaces previous EVP and CFO, Bruce West, who had announced his retirement earlier this year.
For the past 20 years, Higgins has served in a number of senior financial roles within the insurance and financial services industries – the last 10 of which she has spent within The Co-operators organization.
“Karen’s reputation as a respected and effective leader is highlighted in her track record of building high performing teams, particularly during times of significant change, with a keen focus on motivation, development and succession,” said The Co-operators president and CEO Rob Wesseling. “Over the past 10 years, her impact has been evident across the organization through the trusted business partnerships she’s built to deliver exceptional results.”
Joining The Co-operators in 2008, Higgins initially served as VP of corporate finance. She later took on the role of VP finance, property and casualty operations in 2011. In 2017, she was assigned to lead the finance team within life operations.
Before joining The Co-operators, Higgins held similar leadership roles at Clarica Life, Sun Life and Seniors Money Limited.
“The opportunity to lead the finance organization at The Co-operators is a privilege, particularly as we develop our new four-year organizational strategy,” commented Higgins. “Succeeding Bruce West in this role is an honour, and after 11 years of such profound leadership, where he built a strong foundation of great people and processes, I have big shoes to fill.”
Higgins was a recipient of the Chartered Director designation through The Directors College in 2016. Before that, she also received her Chartered Professional Accountant designation in 1990. She earned her Honours BA and Business diploma from Wilfrid Laurier University and has completed the Harvard Business School’s Leadership program and the Change Management program from Wharton Business School.
