Compensation & Benefits Virtual Symposium 2020
Webinar Recording (3.0 CPD Hours) | Original Broadcast Date: September 21, 2020
Thank you sponsor:
As we all know, COVID-19 has enforced many changes on business’s and employers. These changes have come in forms of social distancing to contact tracing every time we visit a business. It is more likely than ever now that the workplace will look very different in the months and years to come. The extent to which this pandemic will change the payroll and employee benefits landscape is still coming into focus, but change is certain.
Our Compensation and Benefits Virtual Symposium will cover the latest updates with an emphasis on how COVID-19 will impact these workplace functions. Our industry experts will review the current compensation trends for key industries and what the added value benefits are that can be offered to increase the likelihood of retention. This event will empower attendees to be leaders in shaping their organization in a post-pandemic workplace.
Session #1: A Sceptic’s Guide to Negotiating Renewals
Speakers: Diane Dupuis, President & Brian Cole, Operations Manager - The Dupuis Langen Group
Session #2: Why Flexible Benefits are More Important Than Ever
Speakers: Lindsay Byrka, B.A., B.ED, CFP, Vice President & Howard Cheung, Employee Benefits Consultant - Immix Group
Session #3: Canadian Employee Benefits: 2020 and Beyond
Speakers: Kevin H. Jeffrey, FCPHR, Senior Vice President & Faizal Mitha, Chief Innovation Officer - HUB International
Meet your presenters
Diane Dupuis
President, The Dupuis Langen Group
Diane Dupuis is an entrepreneur by nature and an Employee Benefits Consultant by design. Never content to do just a good job, she is always looking for ways to offer better solutions, exceptional service, and greater expertise. Since opening her firm in 1985, Diane has used her drive and ambition to build The Dupuis Langen Group into one of the largest, most respected companies in the insurance industry in British Columbia. Diane is a Certified Health Insurance Specialist, a Chartered Financial Consultant, a Chartered Life Underwriter and a Certified Financial Planner. Education is important because "Where there’s a problem, we have to have the answers" she says. Diane’s passion for this business is infectious and it creates a culture of employees who also believe in excellence. Dupuis Langen financially supports education and lifelong learning, such as the GBA (Group Benefits Associate) and CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) designations through Dalhousie University for our Benefits Consultants and our Account Managers. Diane’s community involvement has grown to now include the Charitable Foundation she and her late husband, Fred, founded in 2014 called The Act West Community Foundation. This registered charity provides $30,000 bursaries to single mothers in obtaining a full post-secondary education in order to secure meaningful employment and build better lives for themselves and their children. This is fully funded annually by Dupuis Langen Group. Diane says "It’s easy to be passionate about your business if it benefits others as well as yourself and the passion can become a legacy".
Brian Cole
Operations Manager, The Dupuis Langen Group
Brian Cole is a self-described Benefits Nerd. Brian has spent the last 22 years working in Employee Benefits. After starting his career in Calgary, Brian returned to BC where he started his own consulting firm specializing in Administration Services Only. Dupuis Langen purchased Brian’s firm in 2016 and Brian joined Dupuis Langen Financial in April 2017. Brian is a self-proclaimed “benefits nerd” and is driven to offer the very best value to all of our clients. Brian’s analytical mind and his dedication to superior customer service make him a great member of the Dupuis Langen Team.
Lindsay Byrka
Vice President, Immix Group
Lindsay Byrka began her career in 2004 as an advisor in the insurance and investment industry. Today, she is Vice President of both Ciccone McKay Financial Group and the Immix Group.At Immix, Lindsay’s focus is on partnering with business owners, CFOs and Human Resource personnel to design, implement and manage cost effective, comprehensive benefit programs for businesses of all sizes and in all industries. Lindsay graduated from UBC in 2003. She is licensed by the Insurance Council of BC and through the FPSC as a Certified Financial Planner. Lindsay is on the organizing committee for 100 Women Who Care Vancouver and is co-founder of a women’s industry networking group. Lindsay lives in Vancouver with her family.
Howard Cheung
Employee Benefits Consultant, Immix Group
After graduating from SFU Business in 2006, Howard Cheung specializes in Employee Benefits in the insurance industry as a licensed insurance advisor. With 14 years of experience, he works closely alongside many local small and medium sized businesses to help them better understand the intricacies of maintaining sustainable benefits. He emphasizes pro-active health and wellness solutions, with the ultimate goal of providing healthy and happy workplaces. Howard enjoys the nature and outdoors in Vancouver with his family. When he’s not working, he spends time with his trilingual Japanese/Cantonese/English speaking toddler and tries to figure out an optimal means of communication!
Kevin Jeffrey, FCPHR
Senior Vice President, HUB International
Kevin Jeffrey is Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits for HUB International Pointbreak, located in Vancouver, BC, and has over 30 years of senior consulting and operational experience in the employee benefits industry. Kevin began his career with a technical focus as a benefit plan underwriter for a major Canadian insurance company, before moving into consulting with an international actuarial firm. Over the years Kevin has consulted to large, medium and small companies in all business sectors including public, private and government organizations. Over his career he has held the roles of Health and Benefits Practice Leader, Senior Vice President, and Partner in one of Canada’s leading Executive Search firms. As a Senior Vice President with HUB, Kevin helps lead a dynamic employee benefits consulting and broker firm delivering total benefit solutions, strategic advice, and tactical execution to drive people ROI. His team is part of a larger HUB strategy to reimagine employee benefits in ways that help organizations unlock the Strategic and Economic potential of their Employee Benefit programs. Kevin’s experience and dedication extends to his education. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with Honours from the University of Manitoba, as well as the Chartered Human Resource Professional (CPHR) designation. In 2011 Kevin was awarded the Fellow Chartered Human Resource Professional designation (FCPHR) for contributions to the profession. His contributions to the community include Past Chair and Director of CPHR BC & Yukon, where he has also served as Secretary Treasurer and Director of Learning Services, Chair of the Board of Directors nominating committee, and Past Disciplinary Panel Member of the Editorial Advisory Board for Peopletalk magazine. He has also been a member of the Canadian Council of Human Resource Associations Federal Affairs Committee. Kevin is currently on the Board of Directors of the Burnaby Hospital Foundation as Chair of the Strategic Planning committee. Prior appointments include Board of Trustees of the Healthcare Benefits Trust (Finance Committee), the B.C. Human Rights Commission Employer Advisory Council, Human Resource Faculty Advisor at the B.C. Institute of Technology, United Way of Calgary Leaders Division and the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation. Kevin is a speaker, lecturer, and author on numerous human resource and benefit topics.
Faizal Mitha
Chief Innovation Officer, HUB International
Faizal Mitha is Chief Sales & Innovation Officer for HUB International’s rapidly growing Canadian Employee Benefits Division, which is now Canada’s largest brokerage.Faizal began his career as an underwriter with two of Canada’s largest insurers. He joined the Benefits Consulting space with ES3 Advisory in 2004 as a Group Benefits Consultant, where he was subsequently promoted to Lead Consultant and eventually Partner. ES3 was acquired by HUB in 2018 for their capabilities in digital, employee health, and proven ability to engage younger demographics in the benefits conversation. Faizal was initially appointed as Senior Vice President of Employee Benefits at HUB, before accepting his current position as Chief Sales & Innovation Officer, where he leads a talented team across Canada in reimagining the traditional employee benefits experience.In addition to his group benefits background, Faizal is also a tech entrepreneur. He founded one of Canada’s fastest growing insuretech companies, utilizing artificial intelligence and big data sets in order to make better insurance decisions and provide on-demand benchmarking for benefit plans designs and costs. Faizal’s dedication extends to his community and education. He co-founded Vancouver Young Professionals and led Ripple Effect Society, which connected young professionals to their communities. He is a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Calgary, as well as a Solution Focused Coaching designation from Erickson College, and an Executive MBA from Simon Fraser University.