2022 CPBI Regional Volunteer of the Year Award Recipients  

Jennifer Shay Urquhart

CPBI Atlantic Region 
Director, Pension Client Services
NSHEPP

Jennifer is a actuary with many years of experience in the pension consulting field. She has taken a her career in a new direction with a role in one of the largest pension plans in the region.

Jennifer places a high value on her all relationships, both professional and personal. She is delighted to be a member of the hard-working team at NSHEPP, and outside of work she is happiest talking and connecting with others.

• CPBI Member since 2010
• CPBI Atlantic Council Member since 2017
• Key Member of the CPBI Atlantic Pension & Investment Committee
• CPBI Atlantic Vice Chair 2019 & 2020
• CPBI Atlantic Chairperson 2021 & 2022
• CPBI Atlantic Conference Committee 2018-2022
• Industry Designations: FSA, FCIA
• Member on many CPBI National Committees

Regina Baezner

CPBI Ontario Region
Retired Partner
Grant Thornton LLP (Canada)

For over 30 years Regina served public and private entities in a wide range of industries, but mostly in the pension, not-for-profit, professional services, manufacturing and distribution sectors. She specialized in providing audit services to pension plans, benefit plans, charities and not-for-profit clients.

Regina was the engagement partner lead on the audits for various pension and benefit clients, including multiemployer and single employer welfare & benefit trusts, employee health and life trusts (ELHTs), as well as defined benefit, defined contribution and hybrid pension plans.

Regina joined the Ontario Council in 2018, having participated at conferences and seminars in the past. She was attracted to CPBI because of the range of courses offered and the ability to learn in-depth about the industry and it environment.

Since retirement in 2021, Regina has been enjoying life at home and working on the family-owned farm, raising Percheron Horses.

Marcia Lafantaisie

CPBI Manitoba Region 
Communications and Client Services
The Civil Service Superannuation Board

Marcia Lafantaisie is the Manager of Communications and Client Services with the Civil Service Superannuation Board, one of the largest pension plan administrators in Manitoba.

Marcia has almost 20 years’ experience with the administration of a defined benefit plans and provides senior level of expertise in complex all pension calculations, unique cases, and specializes in relationship breakdown issues. She works closely with plan actuaries and lawyers to ensure compliance with the various aspects of legislation related to pension benefits.

Marcia holds a designation with the Pension Plan Administration Certificate Program and a designation as a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist. She is also an active volunteer as a council member with the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute.

Marcia has been a member of CPBI since 2013, and joined CPBI Manitoba Regional Council in 2017. She has participated in the membership committee and co-chairs the Fundamentals Committee.

Manitoba Regional Council members that have worked with Marcia provided these comments:
“Marcia has been such an integrated part of CPBI Manitoba and has provided many volunteer hours/ long term membership by being involved in a variety of committees as well as Forum. She facilitated the entire Fundamentals event, coordinated speakers as well as gather participants. She provides good feedback and ideas throughout meetings as well.”

Randy Lewis

CPBI Saskatchewan Region
Principal Consultant
Lewis Consulting

Randy has been part of CPBI for about 5 years and has provided support on several committees. He is an expert in benefits but provides great insight and support to the pension and investment knowledge for CPBI Sask. Randy is always willing to step up when needed to ask for speakers or sponsors!! The last couple years he has supported CPBI as the national board rep and has been invaluable at providing the connection between the national office and CPBI sask. Randy has been our National Rep, been key in our programs and conference planning for the past few years. He has been a volunteer for many years and sits on the council for the past three years. He has moderated and hosted a number of our virtual programs. He is a joy to work with.

Sonya Uppal

CPBI Southern Alberta Region 
Account Executive, Group Retirement Solutions
Manulife 

Sonya has been a long-standing member of CPBI Council chairing various committees, such as Social, Communication and Program. Her contributions, energy and innovative ideas make our council stronger and successful.

Sonya sits on many committees currently and has sat on most in the past. She is quick to put forth ideas and excels when working on program, communications, and social activities! We are so grateful to have her on our Council and the energy and knowledge she brings is unmeasurable.

Damon Callas

CPBI Northern Alberta Region  
Senior Consultant and Experienced Pension Actuary
Aon

Damon is a senior consultant in the retirement consulting practice at Aon’s Edmonton office where he assists clients on a wide range of consulting assignments, and responds to a variety of related client queries. Damon is responsible for review and management of pension administration, actuarial and other pension consulting assignments for public and private sector clients, and he manages the local retirement client service team.

Damon’s areas of specialization include design and valuation of registered and supplementary pension plans, as well as other post-employment benefits. Damon assists and partners with clients, bringing solutions to address funding, and financial reporting requirements including public and private enterprise standards in Canada, as well as international standards.

Damon joined Aon in 2001 following completion of a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Alberta, with specialization in actuarial science and a business minor; he is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. In his spare time, Damon enjoys cycling, football, traveling and spending time with family. Damon is a member of the Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute, currently serving as the treasurer for the Northern Alberta Regional Council, he has also served as the vice chair and chair of the Northern Alberta Regional Council.

Damon is our past Chair and current Treasurer for the Northern Region of CPBI, and has been on the Steering Committee of the Western Regional Conference. During his time with CPBI he has organized many pension related sessions and seminars for the Northern Alberta CPBI membership.

Jamal Siddiqui

CPBI Pacific Region  
AVP, Relationship Management and Client Service at Canadian
Western Bank - Trust Services

A dedicated, entrepreneurial, responsive, client-focused relationship management professional with solid, pension and asset services expertise. Skilled at combining industry, product and regulatory knowledge to provide clients with tailored advice, insights and solutions, enabling them to achieve their objectives amidst challenging market conditions. Exceptional interpersonal skills, strong initiative and a passion for excellence.

Current chair of Pacific CPBI and Co-chair of Pacific education/programs. Jamal stepping up as Chair was huge - always positive and encouraging, very well organized, a delight to work with and offers critical thinking how to best meet the needs of CPBI members in Pacific.