2019 CPBI Regional Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients  

Kevin Hollis  

CPBI Atlantic Region 
President, Belmont Health & Wealth

Kevin is the President of Belmont Health & Wealth. As President (since 2014), his primary job is to provide leadership and direction as best as he can. 

Prior to Belmont Health & Wealth, Kevin was a Director at Desjardins (2009-2014) and prior to that he was a Principal at Mercer (2004-2009). Kevin studied at UNB and has a BSc in Statistics.

Since joining the Atlantic council in 2011, Kevin has been one of our most engaged and engaging members. He has held every role on the executive (Treasurer, Co-chair and Chair), co-chaired two highly successful regional conferences and contributed to countless programming initiatives over the years. In 2019 alone, Kevin again participated on the conference committee and acted as a key organiser for the March 2019 Spotlight Session, Thriving in the Era of Disruptive Innovation with Jim Harris, all while undergoing two surgeries. Throughout it all, Kevin has been extremely supportive and accessible, always there to lend a hand even when he was off his feet.

CPBI Atlantic History:
Below is a list of Kevin’s history with CPBI Atlantic:
• 2011-12 – joined Council in Treasurer role
• 2012-13 and 2013-14 – Vice Chair
• 2014-15 and 2015-16 – Chairperson
• 2016-17 – Past Chairperson
• 2017-18 – Council member
• 2018-19 Council Member & key member of the 2019 CPBI Atlantic Executive Breakfast and Spotlight event 

Regional Conference:
• 2012 – Committee member
• 2013 – Co-chair
• 2014 – Co-chair
• 2015 – Committee
• 2017 – Committee
• 2019- Committee

Mike Macoun

CPBI Ontario Region  
Consultant, Accompass

Clients appreciate Mike’s refreshing authenticity and desire for making a difference. Prior to joining Accompass in 2016 Mike worked at one of Canada’s largest insurance companies supporting many national clients.

He develops long-term value for Accompass clients through his roles in both client management and business development. Mike has been a member of the CPBI Ontario regional council since 2017 and currently is the chair of programming for all CPBI Ontario events.

Mike has a BBA from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Masters in International Business from Queen’s University.

In a few short years since joining the Ontario Regional Council, Mike Macoun has revitalized the Region’s programming. Mike leads the Regional Programming Committee and for the past two years has led an important resurgence with respect to events held within the Region. Mike has spearheaded the introduction and growth of regular Regional webinars, to aid in the expansion of the Region’s profile and reach to members across the province. Mike has also led a team of Council members and volunteers with respect to several successful in person seminars, including new and successful formats, such as a wildly popular Links and Learn event in July 2019 and a new half day session in November 2019. Mike also coordinates the Region’s Benefits Program Certificate that the Region puts on in conjunction with the Human Resources Professionals Association and he regularly volunteers on the Region’s Conference Committee. “Doers” are the life blood of a volunteer organization and Mike is one of the ultimate “doers”.

Marnie Klimack

CPBI Manitoba Region 
Account Manager, Manitoba Blue Cross

A member of the Manitoba Blue Cross team since 2012, Marnie is responsible for overall Account Management for existing clients. She brings 20+ years of industry experience having previously worked with a Benefits Broker and a Third Party Administrator where she was responsible for the Sales, Service and Administration team functions.

She is Life Licensed in the Province of Manitoba and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She is currently completing her Certified Employee Benefits Designation from the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans and Dalhousie University.

Marnie has been a member of CPBI since 2012. In an effort to become more involved, she joined the CPBI Manitoba Council in April 2016, where she has contributed to both the Programming and Golf Committees. In April 2018, Marnie assumed the role of Programming Chair for CPBI Manitoba.

Sylvia Rempel

CPBI Saskatchewan Region
Senior Benefits Specialist, Employee Benefits, 3sHealth

EDUCATION
• CMS - Compensation Management Specialist/CEBS, International Foundation and Dalhousie University
• Canadian Securities Course, Canadian Securities Institute
• Graduate Studies - Advanced Finance and Economics Courses, University of Saskatchewan
• B. Comm. (Distinction), Finance, University of Saskatchewan
•Diploma (Distinction), Human Resources, Beijing Economics College, P.R.C.

PENSION AND BENEFITS PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
• Senior Benefits Specialist, People & Resources, University of Saskatchewan
• Senior Specialist, Compensation, Benefits, and Budget Management, Human Resources, University of Saskatchewan
• Pension Advisor / Budget Management, Human Resources, University of Calgary
• Financial Advisor (Investment and Life Insurance), Standard Life and Performa Investment Inc.
• Human Resources Officer, Beijing First Light Industrial District, P.R.C.

OTHER BOARDS/COMMITTEES/VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES:
• Annually involved in various diversity initiatives including Graduation Powwow and fundraising for disability students, University of Saskatchewan
• Founder and Music Artistic Director, Chinese Instrumental Ensemble, Saskatoon
• Board of Directors, Saskatoon Chapel, Immigration Woman of Saskatchewan

Sylvia has been a CPBI member since 2004 and joined the CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council in 2011. For the past 8 years, Sylvia has contributed a great deal of time and effort "behind the scenes" towards the success of CPBI Saskatchewan's events, programming, and communications. She has served as Chair of our Communications Committee, Co-Chair of our Professional Development Programs Committee, and she has also served on our Conference Planning Committee for several years which is our busiest committee. Sylvia has been instrumental in researching and engaging many of the speakers and topics we have enjoyed at our luncheons and conferences over the years, including the two morning keynote sessions at this year's conference. On the Conference Planning Committee, Sylvia established a niche for herself by learning all about the complexities of audio/visual services in order to look after the conference AV needs in an in-depth manner. Sylvia is always willing to be our MC at Saskatoon luncheons, or take on any task that needs to be done to make a CPBI event a success. Her quiet diligence and consistent commitment have contributed greatly to the growth and success that the Saskatchewan Region has experienced.

Craig Hewson

CPBI Pacific Region
Employee Benefits, HUB International

Shannon Hughes

CPBI Southern Alberta Region 
Director, Business Developement, Hillcrest Financial 

A series of unexpected life events led Shannon Hughes to the insurance industry 11 years ago and there has been no looking back. In her role as a Business Development Specialist, she takes pride in supporting employers in finding solutions to take amazing care of their employees. Several years spent working with a large international insurance company provided valuable knowledge and the opportunity to work with plan sponsors exclusively on their retirement savings plans rounded out her expertise.

Commitment to both lifelong learning as well as community means she actively participate in many organizations including the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute Regional Council and Salvation Army.