About the IBAWR

 

 

Who We Are

The Insurance Brokers Association of Waterloo Region (IBAWR) was established in 1931 as a not-for-profit professional business association and

still exists today to be the local advocate for the independent insurance broker in Waterloo Region, facilitating connection and communication

between members and other stakeholders for the betterment of the industry and our community. The IBAWR believes in strength in unity,

supporting and representing the independent broker as well as fulfilling our obligation to the industry, our community and individual brokers.

 

The IBAWR is an affiliate of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO), and we support the IBAO in representing our members' interests

to government ministries and regulatory bodies, as well as to insurance industry commissions and associations.

 

The IBAO advocates for independent brokers by lobbying the government; drives industry innovation and collaboration through building a strong,

sustainable business environment; and elevates brokerage operations through progressive, professional education – and the IBAWR supports

those initiatives and shares the message with members in our area.  The IBAWR also brings the concerns and opinions of members to the IBAO.

 

The IBAWR advances the interests of brokers in our area by hosting educational seminars, business events, and social affairs; and connects its

members to information, opportunities, and services, and to one another.

 

The IBAWR is one of the largest and most active affiliates in Ontario.  We hold monthly meetings for our members in January, February, March, April,

October, and December each year.  The IBAWR also hosts a Hospitality Night in May, a Golf Tournament in September, and our AGM in November

each year.  We are fortunate to live in a great community, and we support and serve our community through a number of initiatives; charitable

donations, annual award(s) for students in the Business Insurance Program, collection drives for food or warm items to benefit local organizations,

and awareness events that promote the broker channel.  Click here to check out our Events calendar.

 

The IBAWR is run by a Board of Directors who volunteer their time and energy to furthering the association’s efforts.  The IBAWR has a broad network

of industry friends that are engaged in the work we do and participate in our events, including insurance company partners, restoration contractors,

auto repair shops, and car rental companies.  We are so grateful to those industry friends that sponsor the IBAWR each year so we can continue our

work.  Click here to see a complete list of our current IBAWR sponsors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario

 

 

Other Helpful Links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Directors

 

Joanna Mendonca

Role: President and House & Programs

Term: 2023-2025

Brokerage: Staebler Insurance

519-743-5221

[email protected]

 

Nick Lopers

Role: Vice President

Term: 2023-2025

Brokerage: Ives Advantage, a division of Ives Insurance Brokers Ltd.

519-501-2625

[email protected]

 

Richard Zehr

Role: Past President

Term: 2023-2025

Brokerage: Zehr Insurance Brokers

519-662-1710

[email protected]

Shannan MacMillan

Role: Secretary and Treasurer

Term: 2022-2024

Brokerage: Breckles Insurance Brokers

888-253-2547

[email protected]

 

Sally Stephenson

Role: Sargeant In Arms

Term: 2023-2025

Brokerage: OTIP-RAEO

800-272-5688

[email protected]

 

Jessica Bevenborn

Role: Membership and Member Development

Term: 2022-2024

Brokerage: KW Insurance Brokers

519-744-4190

[email protected]

 

Sonia Fonseca

Role: Political Action Liaison

Term: 2023-2025

Brokerage: OTIP-RAEO

800-272-5688

[email protected]

 

Laura Eagle

Role: Education

Term: 2022-2024

Brokerage: Zehr Insurance Brokers

519-662-1710

[email protected]

 

Elnaz Akbari

Role: Social Media & Public Relations

Term: 2022-2024

Brokerage: Cowan Insurance Group

519-650-6360

[email protected]

 

Dawn Moore

Role: Member at Large

Term: 2024-2026

Brokerage: NFP Canada

226-868-0858

[email protected]

 

Michelle Westphal

Role: Member at Large

Term: 2024-2026

Brokerage: OTIP-RAEO

519-897-2797

[email protected]

 

Dianne Andernacht

Role: Executive Secretary

Term: N/A

Brokerage: Brokerlink Ltd. (Cambridge)

519-572-7563

[email protected]