Transitioning from Winnipeg mayor to vice president at a major insurance company might be a curious career leap for some. But for Brian Bowman (pictured), it just makes sense.
“It’s just a strong fit for me personally,” said Bowman of his role as vice president of sustainability and social impact at the Canada Life Assurance Company (Canada Life).
Insurance Business caught up with the former mayor weeks into his new post. Bowman made the official announcement via Twitter earlier this month, expressing enthusiasm for the role he billed as his “next professional chapter.”
“This is a Winnipeg-based company with a very long and proud history. It has global reach and impact, and it allows me to remain grounded in what matters to me in my public work as mayor,” he told Insurance Business.
I’m joining an outstanding team to advance a global #sustainability & social impact strategy; move the organization’s reconciliation efforts forward in Cdn & advise on similar challenges in the U.S. & Europe; & take a leading role in building/strengthening community partnerships.
— Brian Bowman (@BrianTDBowman) June 10, 2023
Bowman left office nearly nine months ago after he opted not to pursue another term during October’s civic elections.
He made history in 2014 by becoming Winnipeg’s first Métis mayor and the first indigenous mayor of a major Canadian city. He was re-elected for a second term in 2018.
Bowman made his first major announcement on behalf of Canada Life yesterday, unveiling the company’s $500,000 investment in a mentorship program aimed at supporting Indigenous learners bridge their campus experience to the workplace.
Honoured to participate in today’s announcement that @canadalifeco is investing $500,000 in @RRC for the creation of a new Indigenous-led student mentorship program. Learn more>> https://t.co/4gOp7JvVw3 pic.twitter.com/Z60474ySXg
— Brian Bowman (@BrianTDBowman) June 29, 2023
Bowman is mum about other initiatives in the insurer’s pipeline but said he’s embracing the learning process that comes with navigating the early days of a new role.
“It’s important for us to recognise the positive impact that insurance has in helping individuals and families secure their future. That’s something I’m learning about every day,” said Bowman.
“The products and services the organization provides to so many Canadians, and the relationships it creates, is what I think gives us a long-term perspective that’s aligned with the sustainability questions we’re facing today.”
One thing he wants to achieve in his first year is “to strengthen the collaborative working structure across Great-West Life,” of which Canada Life is a subsidiary, to implement their sustainability and social impact efforts more strategically.
“Specifically, I’m going to be focusing on three things,” Bowman said. “Advancing a global sustainability and social impact strategy that includes a new level of transparency into our actions for investors and for all stakeholders; steering the company’s reconciliation journey in partnership with indigenous communities here in Canada, and similar challenges in the US and Europe; and taking a lead role in building and strengthening community partnerships, which are so integral to our shared success in the community.
“All of that is an opportunity to do what I love most, which is building connections with people both within and outside of the company to accomplish these goals together.”
Bowman has been open and enthusiastic about what drew him the most to Canada Life: the opportunity to continue the work he started as mayor.
“What attracted me to Canada Life was that their leadership has demonstrated a commitment to sustainability and reconciliation, something that I was very focused on as mayor,” he said.
“One of the efforts that I led at City Hall was the Winnipeg Indigenous Accord. This was an effort to have leaders in the community pledge to respond to the calls to action, and to publicly report annually on their actions and results. Canada Life was one of the early signatories to that effort.
“It really demonstrated to me that this was an organisation that was prepared to respond to the calls to action and play their role as corporate leaders.”
Driving sustainability and social impact strategies at the insurer is a natural extension of his initiatives in city hall, but through a different lens, according to Bowman. He is keen to continue building on the substantive efforts at Canada Life.
“It’s exciting to be joining an organisation that has clarity on what it’s trying to achieve. This new role will be focused on helping build stronger, more inclusive, and financially secure futures,” he said.
In many ways, Bowman feels like he’s returning home to the corporate community, despite his long stint in public office.
“I started my career in the private sector in legal practice,” the former mayor shared. “I was a practising lawyer and a partner in a major firm in Winnipeg for 14 years.”
This prior experience is only part of what has made his transition from public to private sector so smooth. Bowman earlier revealed he had been in discussions with Canada Life for some time before accepting the role.
“It’s been a nice transition, primarily because I’ve known the leadership of this organization for many years,” he said. “The opportunity to add value to the organization and the broader team is exciting. It’s also a brand in Winnipeg and across Canada that has high recognition and a tremendous amount of community value.”
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