Pension and Benefits Seminar hosted by the CPBI London Chapter | This seminar will explore the evolving dental landscape and key challenges in retirement plan communication and representation. How can we best navigate complexities and drive success in today’s dynamic environment? In the first part of the seminar, we’ll gain expert insights into the latest dental care trends and what long-term sustainability in dental benefits means. As Canada’s population continues to age and life expectancy rises, we, as plan sponsors, face growing challenges in ensuring that employees are engaged and adequately prepared for retirement. In the second part of the seminar, we’ll explore how to tackle these challenges together and empower employees to take an active role in saving for their future. | SESSION ONE - Oral health care in Canada: Where might we be going?Speaker: Dr. Carlos Quinonez, Vice Dean and Director, Schulich Dentistry Western University | The focus on oral health care in Canada is at an all-time high, whether it is utilization, prices, or political interest. Could the oral health care market be at an inflection point? What evidence is there that oral health and oral health care are important to overall health?What is driving the costs of oral health care? Can funders even bend the cost curve? Through this presentation, you will learn about the: - Impacts of COVID-19 on the oral health care market.
- Effects of oral health and oral health care on systemic illness and quality of life.
- Value that Canadians place on oral health care.
- Federal dental care plan and what it may mean for private plans.
- Value of working in partnership with the dental profession.
| SESSION TWO - Communicate, Educate, Represent: Overcoming Retirement Plan Challenges TogetherPanel Discussion with:
- Tracey Riccardi, Vice President of Compensation, Benefits & HR Systems, Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited
- Neil Craig, Area Senior Vice President Group Retirement Services Arthur J. Gallagher
- Kim Francis, Director, Plan Sponsor Services, Sun Life
- Alison Smiley (moderator), GRS Sales Director, Canada Life
| Join us for an engaging panel discussion where we’ll examine the critical roles that carriers, advisors, and plan sponsors play in helping employees understand and maximize the benefits of employer retirement plans. Topics will include: - Engaging Employees: Strategies for encouraging employees to take an interest in saving for retirement and making the most of the pension plan options available to them.
- Educating for Decumulation: Ensuring employees are well-informed about the decumulation phase and how to manage their pensions once they retire, focusing on sustainable, long-term financial planning.
- The Role of Carriers, Advisors, and Plan Sponsors: How each party can contribute to a comprehensive retirement strategy, with a particular focus on fostering a culture of financial literacy and preparedness.
- Building an Effective Pension Committee: The importance of having the right people in place to support employees in their journey to retirement, ensuring they have the guidance and resources needed to succeed.
This session will offer valuable insights and practical solutions to ensure employees are not only prepared for retirement but also actively engaged in making decisions that will impact their financial future. | Schedule 8:00 am - 9:00 am: Registration, Hot Breakfast & Networking
9:00 am - 10:00 am: Session One
10:00 am - 10:20 am: Spotlight - Coffee break and networking
10:20 am - 11:30 am: Session Two | Pricing
CPBI Member $75 or $430 for a table of 6
Future Member $115 or $650 for a table of 6 | Presentations & CE creditsContinuing Education Attendance Certificates will be available for this seminar. | Speakers |  | | Dr. Carlos QuiñonezVice Dean and Director Dentistry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University
Dr. Carlos Quiñonez is a dental public health specialist and is the Vice Dean and Director of Dentistry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. His research centres on the history, politics, and economics of dentistry with a focus on health and social equity. He is a world authority on the political economy of dentistry, and his research is regularly used by public and private agencies to enhance their policy and practice. | | | | |  | | Tracey RiccardiVice President of Compensation, Benefits & HR Systems,Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited With over 30 years of extensive experience in Human Resources, Tracey Riccardi brings a wealth of expertise to her current role as Vice-President of Compensation, Benefits and HR Systems at Gateway Casinos & Entertainment Limited, one of the largest and most diversified gaming and entertainment companies in Canada. At Gateway she is also a member of the Human Resources Leadership Committee playing a pivotal role in jointly overseeing HR strategies, standards and frameworks that support the current and future business objectives of the company. Consistently seizing opportunities for hands-on learning, advancement, and personal development, Ms. Riccardi’s expertise encompasses the full spectrum of HR, showcasing proficiency in benefit plans, retirement programs, total compensation, pay equity, contract administration and HR systems. Her professional journey began at Caesars Windsor, where she initially held finance positions. She subsequently made a seamless transition to HR in key roles such as Manager of Compensation & Benefits and Senior Manager, HR Engagement & Contracts before venturing into the benefits industry. During her tenure as Manager of Client Services at Greenshield Canada she expanded her knowledge by overseeing benefit service teams across three provinces before returning to her HR and gaming industry roots. Tracey shares her knowledge and passion for Compensation and Benefits as a faculty member at St. Clair College. She previously served several years as a member of the CPBI Council. Tracey also served as a board member of the Welcome Centre Shelter for Women and Families. Ms. Riccardi holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from the University of Windsor. Tracey is committed to creating a positive impact by prioritizing the needs of others, recognizing the significance of a synergistic team in fostering organizational and professional success. | | | | |  | | Neil CraigArea Senior Vice President Group Retirement Services Arthur J. Gallagher
Neil is a Senior Vice President of Group Retirement Services Ontario for Gallagher Benefit Services. Neil has worked with thousands of plan sponsors and members across North America and has designed programs for employers ranging from small privately held firms to large multi-national corporations. Neil has had significant experience in all areas of Corporate Retirement planning including Defined Contribution, Defined Benefit and Executive Compensation programs. Neil has worked successfully as a consultant both in Canada and the United States. In 2010 Neil was recognized as an “Industry Expert” by the Canadian Department of Finance and was asked to provide his insights into pension reform from the perspective of a private sector plan sponsor. Neil has his RPA designation through the International Foundation and is an active member in the pension community. He is a frequent participant on Industry Advisory councils, and is a recognized thought leader in the Defined Contribution plan world. |
| | |  | | Kim FrancisDirector, Plan Sponsor Services, Sun Life
Kim Francis is the Director of Plan Sponsor Services at Sun Life. She has 26 years of experience in the retirement industry. Kim leads a team of Account Managers and Member Experience Consultants, focusing on plan design consultation and member communication strategy. Since joining Sun Life in 1998, Kim has held various roles, including Implementation Manager, Client Relationship Executive, and Director of National Standards. Kim holds CEBS, CSC, and IFIC designations and recently completed the Elevate your Leadership Program with the Scala Network. Neil has presented to conferences in North America and Europe and a contributor to industry publications. | | | | |  | | Alison SmileySales Director, Group Retirement Services, Canada Life, (moderator) Alison has over 25 years of experience in the group retirement industry. In her current role as Sales Director, she oversees and drives the performance of the Sales teams across the Toronto and Southern Ontario regions. Throughout her tenure at Canada Life, Alison has held various roles that have shaped her expertise in the industry, including client service, education and communication management, sales and leadership. She has completed the Canadian Investment Funds Course (CIFC), the Life Insurance Level 1 exam and the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist (CEBS) designation. Alison is passionate about giving back to her community as a member of the Executive team for Brantford Girls CYO Basketball, where she contributes her leadership skills to support youth sports and empower young female athletes. | | | | |
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