Insurance Business Canada (IBC) recently unveiled its Elite Women for 2023, recognizing the achievements of female trailblazers in the insurance sector.
Among the award’s 55 recipients is Melissa Bajwa, vice president of compliance and broker network operations at PROLINK.
Reflecting on her professional journey spanning nearly two decades, Bajwa acknowledged that while some progress has been made in the insurance brokerage space, there are still barriers impeding women’s advancement into leadership roles.
“Just 26% of Ontario’s principal brokers are female, demonstrating that much remains to be done to achieve gender parity,” she said.
Bajwa said she has prioritized gender parity in her work as PROLINK’s designated individual and principal broker. She supports over 40 independent brokerages within PROLINK’s broker network, 30% of which are businesses owned by women.
She also volunteers her time and expertise to industry associations, serving on the board of the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO).
Bajwa’s accomplishments includes her membership on the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario’s (IBAO) DEI committee, her volunteer work as a career ambassador for the Insurance Institute of Canada, and her nomination as the chairperson of RIBO’s personal development committee.
She also organized a highly successful International Women’s Day event in 2022 that was focused on work-life balance and breaking barriers, which RIBO approved for its ethics continuing education programming.
Bajwa’s nominator praised her for her role in advocating for modern brokers and inspiring other young women to be courageous and influential voices in the industry.
Bajwa said she considers the recognition as a platform to inspire women from diverse backgrounds to explore opportunities within the insurance sector.
“I want to encourage more women, young people and diverse voices at the table,” she said.
Learn more the winners of IBC’s Elite Women 2023 by reading the full report.
