• Message from the Chairperson  
  
• Highlights from the CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Conference "Evolution Through Innovation"
• Welcome to our New Council Members 
  
• Regional Volunteer of the Year: Trina Kistner
• 2016-17 Calendar of Events 
• 2016-17 Sponsorship Opportunities
• CPBI Membership
• 2016-17 CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council & Committees 
• Would you like to get involved?

Summer in Saskatchewan brings warm sunny days, the beautiful scenery of fields in bloom, and the anticipation of vacation time with family and friends. Summer also brings our 2015/2016 CPBI program year to a successful conclusion. And what a year it has been!

The Program Committee provided us with a wide array of topics including meeting governance, investments, drug plan management, fraud, and our ever-popular economic outlook. Thank you to our Program Committee who worked so hard to put together a great year of learning and networking for all of us in Saskatchewan.

Evolution Through Innovation, our 2016 CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Conference, was an unforgettable event. So many great speakers shared their learnings and brought new insights for us to take back to our respective work places. The evening event featuring Jessica Holmes was both entertaining and fun. The Conference Committee knocked it out of the park once again. I give my congratulations and appreciation to the Conference Committee for a job well done.

On behalf of CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council, I wish to extend our gratitude to all of the people who made 2015/2016 a success for our region. Thank you to all of the CPBI Saskatchewan Region council members. It is a privilege to work with such a diverse and talented group of industry professionals who commit themselves to ensuring education is a priority in our province. Thank you to all of the speakers who gave their time to prepare and present in Regina and Saskatoon. Thank you to all of our sponsors whose support and generosity allows us to offer quality education right here at home. And of course, thank you to all of you, our CPBI members and event attendees, it is your participation that makes our events a true success.

Work has already begun for 2016/2017. You can look forward to receiving information about our events beginning in early fall. I also want to call your attention to the exciting announcement that CPBI Forum, our national conference, will be held in Winnipeg in 2017. We hope that CPBI Forum being held in such close proximity will encourage and inspire many from Saskatchewan to attend. More information about CPBI Forum will be shared throughout the year.

For now, we wish you all a safe and happy summer. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming CPBI Saskatchewan event.

Alana Shearer-Kleefeld 

Chairperson

CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council

On April 12 to 14, 2016, CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council hosted its 6th annual conference at the Delta Regina Hotel in Regina, Saskatchewan. The conference kicked off on April 12 with a member appreciation event where conference attendees and CPBI Saskatchewan members got a chance to meet and network over wine and cheese. The following two-day conference event included a variety of plenary and breakout sessions focused on important innovations in both the pension and benefits industries.

Highlights from the event included Dr. Posen, Jessica Holmes, the breakout and luncheon speakers, and the many networking opportunities to meet and greet other colleagues from across the pension and benefits industries.

This year’s Conference Planning Committee was pleased to receive acknowledgements from attendees both during and after the conference for the content and value received from the conference once again this year.

Jessica Holmes with CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council Members

Back Row: Doug Volk, Dara Sewell-Zumstien, Bud Anderson, Jessica Holmes, Karen Lovelace (Administrator), Trina Kistner, Kendra Dumont, Alana Shearer-Kleefeld, Sylvia Rempel, Narinder Kempa. Front Row: Kelley Orban, Sheryl Armstrong, Bob Wilhelms

Without the support from our sponsors, events like this would not be possible. We would once again like to thank the following organizations for their support:

2016 Conference Sponsors

CPBI is a national organization with regional councils across Canada. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to Peter Casquinha, CEO of CPBI, who attended our conference again this year. This is the third time Peter has attended since we began hosting our regional conferences six year ago. We are always thrilled to have representation from our national body at our conferences.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to Joe Hornyak, Executive Editor of Benefits and Pension Monitor (BPM) magazine, who attended the conference for his 6th consecutive year, and who wrote and published highlights about our conference. The recognition and participation that our event receives each year is due in part to the fantastic coverage that Joe provides in this distinguished national publication.

A big ‘Thank-You’ as well is extended to Bud Anderson (left) for accepting the role as Chair of the Conference Planning Committee, and for his dedication and commitment to planning this year’s conference. As well, we extend a huge ‘Thank-You’ to all Council members who served on the Conference Planning Committee for their countless hours and efforts in the preparation of the conference.

CPBI Saskatchewan is pleased to welcome our new Council members:

Dan Bolan

Dan Bolan is a new member of both CPBI and the Saskatchewan Regional Council. Dan is currently an Account Executive with Great-West Life and has 18 years of experience in account management of group benefit insurance. Dan has a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a specialization in risk management and insurance. He also has served as the Tournament Management Chair for Great-West Life's Charity Golf Classic Benefitting Hospitals of Regina for 8 years. Dan joined the Finance Committee and the Conference Planning Committee with CPBI.  

Jeff McNaughton

Jeff McNaughton joined CPBI in 2011 and in addition to joining the regional council this year, he is on the Governance & Nominating Committee. Jeff is currently with the Saskatchewan School Boards Association in the role of Director, Employee Benefits and Insurance Plans, which is where he has been since 2010. Jeff also currently sits on the Municipal Employees Pension Commission. Prior to this, Jeff was the Benefit Plans Administrator for the SGEU LTD Plan and the SGEU Health and Welfare Trust for ten years. Jeff’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Social Work, and he has obtained a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation from Dalhousie University. 

Nikki-Lynn McKeague

Nikki-Lynn McKeague is the Manager of Group Life and Health at the Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation. She is a Certified Compensation Professional and a Global Remuneration Professional. She has been a member of CPBI since 2012 and in addition to joining the Saskatchewan Regional Council, she is also on the Professional Development Programs Committee and the Governance & Nominating Committee.  

John Salmond

John Salmond is a new member to both CPBI and its Saskatchewan Regional Council this year. John is currently the VP of Sales and Marketing for Group Medical Services (GMS). He has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. John also serves on the Advisory Board for the Arthritis Society. John joined the Sponsorship & Membership Committee and the Communications Committee with CPBI.

Shaunt Parthev

Shaunt Parthev is a new member of both CPBI and its Saskatchewan Regional Council. Shaunt was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 1987 and was appointed as Queen's Counsel in 2008. He currently practices law with the firm of McPherson Leslie and Tyerman. His practice includes the representation of various professionals in benefit related claims, insurance defense including pension and benefit claims, and advising members of the insurance industry regarding procedures and obligations. Shaunt is frequently invited to present to insurance and financial planning groups regarding professional liability and loss prevention. Shaunt has joined the Sponsorship & Membership Committee and the Governance & Nominating Committee with CPBI.

Troy Shanks

Troy Shanks is a new member of the CPBI and its Saskatchewan Regional Council. He has been in the finance and insurance industry for the past 15 years, working with some of Western Canada’s industry leaders. Troy currently holds the title of Vice President of Blackstone Insurance, Benefits and Bonding, with offices in both Saskatchewan and British Columbia. Troy has a Bachelor of Commerce, an Honours Degree, and a Bachelor of Arts and he holds his Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation. With CPBI, he currently serves on both the Conference Planning Committee and the Sponsorship & Membership Committee. 

Andrea Johnson

Andrea Johnson is a lawyer with Miller Thomson LLP. Andrea’s practice focuses on labour and employment law and commercial litigation. She was called to the bar in Saskatchewan in 2013. Andrea has Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Human Resource Management and Industrial Relations). Andrea Johnson is a new member of CPBI and its Saskatchewan Regional Council and also serves on the Professional Development Programs Committee and the Communications Committee with CPBI. 

Trina Kistner has been a member of CPBI since 2005 and joined council in 2007. Trina has participated on many of our committees over the past 9 years including Professional Development Programs, Communications, Governance & Nominating, and Conference Planning. She has served as the Secretary of Executive Council for the past 5 years and was the Chair of our very successful 2015 CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Conference Connections & Creativity. She also did a fantastic job as hotel liaison for our 2016 regional conference.

Trina has a very thoughtful and rational approach to things. She is a great listener and is always willing to help someone in need. She is always a calming voice on council.

In her day job, Trina is an Account Executive for Sun Life. She is a dedicated wife and a mom to twin daughters.

PHOTO: Alana Shearer-Kleefeld, Chair, CPBI Saskatchewan Regional Council (right) presents the 2016 Regional Volunteer of the Year Award to Trina Kistner (left).  Photo credit: Kendra Dumont 

CPBI Saskatchewan is pleased to announce our 2016-17 sponsorship program. Once again, this year's sponsorship package is designed to allow you the opportunity to maximize your sponsorship dollars. If you choose the option to sponsor both the 2016-17 program year and the 2017 regional conference, you are eligible to receive a 10% discount if you apply by September 15, 2016.

We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to promote your brand to a diverse group of benefits, pension, investment and human resource professionals in the Saskatchewan region. With the various sponsorship packages available, your company has the flexibility to achieve its marketing objectives and stay within budget. Each package guarantees you excellent and ongoing recognition building up to and during the events.

The success of our programs and conferences is credited largely to our sponsors who lend their names and financial support. Join us for another exciting year of educational and promotional opportunities.

Click here to download the Sponsorship Brochure and Application Form. 

Finance Committee

     Chair, Glenda Schlosser

     Bob Wilhelms

     Sheryl Armstrong

     Dan Bolan

     Dara Sewell-Zumstien

     Alana Shearer-Kleefeld

Professional Development Programs Committee         

     Co-Chair, Kelley Orban

     Co-Chair, Sylvia Rempel

     Glenda Schlosser

     Don Rowell

     Nikki-Lynn McKeague

     Andrea Johnson

     Dara Sewell-Zumstien

     Alana Shearer-Kleefeld 

Governance and Nominating Committee

     Chair, Bob Wilhelms

     Doug Volk

     Kelley Orban 

     Nikki-Lynn McKeague

     Shaunt Parthev

     Jeff McNaughton

     Dara Sewell-Zumstien

     Alana Shearer-Kleefeld

Communications Committee  

     Chair, Don Rowell

     Kelley Orban

     John Salmond

     Andrea Johnson

     Dara Sewell-Zumstien

     Alana Shearer-Kleefeld

Sponsorship and Membership Committee

     Chair, Narinder Kempa

     Don Rowell

     Sheryl Armstrong

     Glenda Schlosser

     Shaunt Parthev

     Troy Shanks

     John Salmond

     Dara Sewell-Zumstien

     Alana Shearer-Kleefeld

Conference Planning Committee

     Chair, Sheryl Armstrong

     Vice-Chair, Kelley Orban

     Sylvia Rempel

     Glenda Schlosser 

     Narinder Kempa

     Troy Shanks

     Dan Bolan

     Gail Genest, Saskatchewan Pension Plan

     Dara Sewell-Zumstien

     Alana Shearer-Kleefeld