Équité appoints two industry vets to board of directors

Équité Association has announced the appointment of two senior leaders to its board of directors.

Joining the board are Promutuel Assurance CEO Geneviève Fortier and Suzanne Courtlander, Gore Mutal Insurance’s senior vice president of claims, Équité said in a press release Thursday.

Fortier has held senior executive positions in the industry over the years, mostly recently as CEO of Promutuel Assurance.

“She has successfully led a team of over 2,000 professionals, demonstrating exceptional strategic acumen and a deep understanding of the insurance industry,” Équité says. “Her influential roles on the boards of prominent organizations such as Metro Inc., Investissement Québec, and the Canadian Association of Mutual Insurance Companies underscore her commitment to industry advancement.”

Fortier has also accumulated numerous accolades, including the prestigious Knight of the Order National du Québec.

Courtlander has more than 20 years of experience leading diverse teams and “brings a deep understanding of the complexities and challenges within the industry,” Équité says. Her track record includes the development of an advice centre program at TD Insurance, as well as transforming the insurer’s fraud special investigations unit.

Courtlander holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of San Diego School of Law and is a Law Society of Ontario licensee.

Équité president and CEO Terri O’Brien says the insurance crime and fraud prevention organization is honoured to welcome Fortier and Courtlander to its board of directors. “Their outstanding leadership skills, combined with extensive industry knowledge, will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our position as Canada’s leading authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention.”

Insurance industry veteran Paul Johnstone, president of Chubb Insurance Company of Canada, was appointed chair of Équité’s board of directors in November 2023. He replaced outgoing board chair, Jason Storah, who was appointed CEO of UK & Ireland General Insurance at Aviva and succeeded as Aviva Canada CEO by Tracy Garrad.