FEATURED WINNER

Strong Roots Insurance Brokers

“I had a picture of a house, and the house was Premiere Mortgage Centre”

Kerri Reed, Premiere Mortgage Centre

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EXCELLENCE AWARDEE: Underwriting Agency of the Year

https://www.strongrootsinsurance.ca

https://linkedin.com/company/strong-roots-insurance-brokers-ltd/

info@strongrootsinsurance.ca

519-930-1430

168 Ontario St, Stratford, ON N5A 3H4, Canada

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WINNER: The Travelers Canada Award for Brokerage of the Year (10–100 staff)

Strong Roots Insurance Brokers

Shara Bierman

Principal Broker, COO

As COO and Principal Broker of Strong Roots Insurance, Shara Bierman leads with a clear vision for innovation, client-focused service, and sustainable growth. Since opening the brokerage in 2023, Shara has seen the business quickly blossom into a modern, community-driven brokerage, recognized for its integrity and service excellence. With over 25 years in the insurance industry, she has been instrumental in building strong operational foundations and empowering a high-performing team. Under her leadership, Strong Roots has achieved remarkable milestones, including being honoured as Traveler’s Canada Brokerage of the Year. Shara continues to champion collaboration and forward-thinking solutions across the organization.

Principal Broker, COO

Shara Bierman

www.facebook.com/primerica

@primerica

Robin Barham

Leadership

1188 Whakue St, Rotorua Central, Rotorua

Ben Webster

Co-founder and Head of Product

Leadership

Ben Webster, co-founder of AGILE, is also the driving force behind other successful insurtechs like Insured by Us and SanctionsCheck.co. With decades of experience in founding and scaling remote-first companies across multiple time zones, Ben has mastered the art of managing diverse skill sets. He is also a co-founder of Insurtech Australia, further cementing his reputation as a key industry influencer. His multifaceted experience in both traditional insurance and technological innovation makes him a unique asset to AGILE.

Co-founder and Head of Product

Ben Webster

Nick Goritsas is a seasoned insurance executive with over 30 years in the field, focusing on operational and financial improvements. He previously served as CFO and head of risk management at W.R. Berkley Insurance Australia and was the founding CFO at DUAL Australia. As the APRA Alternate Agent in Australia for W.R. Berkley, Nick brought an extra layer of compliance and risk mitigation to the table. His proficiency in finance and risk management provides AGILE with a strategic advantage in these critical areas.

Co-founder and Group CFO

Nick Goritsas

Robin Barham brings over 30 years of industry experience to AGILE, having honed his skills at Lloyd’s Syndicates in London and Australia. Starting out in Marine and Aerospace underwriting, he later assumed management roles focusing on A&H, Property, Casualty and Financial Lines. His former positions include underwriting manager at Catlin Australia, regional director at Arch Underwriting at Lloyd’s (Australia), and MD at StarStone Underwriting Australia. Robin’s extensive background adds unparalleled underwriting expertise to AGILE’s leadership team.

Co-founder and CEO

Robin Barham

Co-founder and CEO

Robin Barham

@Primerica

Robin Barham

Co-founder and CEO

Bellbird Park State Secondary College (BPSSC) prides itself on providing an innovative and inclusive education experience for all learners. Our college is extraordinary because of the incredible students, parents, community partners and staff who bring it to life each day. Since opening in 2017 with 212 Year 7 students and 31 staff, the school has been on a rapid journey of student growth and staff recruitment. BPSSC now has an enrolment of 1,800 students and 150+ staff members. Located in the aspirational, multiculturally rich Ipswich community (ICSEA 953), we’re exceptionally proud to be the school of choice in our community. At BPSSC, we’re committed to supporting the success and wellbeing of every student as they transition through each stage of learning through our high-expectations, high-support approach. In 2023, 175 First Nations students are connected and thriving at our college. Our Many Pathways, No Limits mantra extends to all students, and we provide tailored differentiated, culturally appropriate educational opportunities for our First Nations students. Our approach to First Nations education is extensive, multifaceted and a whole-school effort effecting positive systematic change and outcomes for our students.

Nick Goritsas

Co-founder and Group CFO

Co-founder and CEO

receive appropriate coverage for the lowest cost, freeing up cash flow to direct toward savings, investments, and debt reduction. This approach, grounded in practical financial education, has resonated strongly with Canadians facing economic uncertainty and rising living costs. The company’s impact is evident in its market presence. In 2024, Primerica Canada surpassed $150 billion in life insurance face amount in force, ranking among the top 10 life insurers in the country by OSFI data. It issued $15.9 billion in term life insurance and paid more than $170 million in benefits to Canadian policyholders, underscoring its leadership in protection and its commitment to standing beside families in their most critical moments. Primerica Canada’s value proposition is equally defined by service excellence. Its call centre consistently targets a competitive 20-second response time, ensuring fast, friendly, human support. The company’s claims performance is a particular point of pride: in the last fiscal year, 84 percent of claims were processed within 14 days and 96 percent within 30 days, offering timely financial relief when it matters most. In 2025, Primerica Canada further enhanced this experience with the introduction of a dedicated claims portal for representatives, enabling electronic submission of claims and real-time status updates, blending efficiency with transparency. A thoughtfully expanded product shelf supports this service model. A new distribution agreement with Canada Life added a carefully curated selection of segregated funds that balance growth potential, guarantees, and creditor protection. These offerings complement Primerica Canada’s core term life and investment solutions and are bolstered by the Enhance program, which provides additional protection through critical illness, disability, travel medical, dental, and business overhead expense coverage. Together, these solutions enable representatives to craft well-rounded financial strategies tailored to the needs of the cohort the company serves: middle-income families. Education remains central to Primerica Canada’s identity. Clients receive a complimentary financial needs analysis that covers budgeting, debt management, protection, and savings strategies, delivered through one-on-one consultations that demystify complex financial concepts. Internally, the company invests heavily in training so representatives maintain up-to-date product knowledge and can provide clear, practical advice. This commitment is mirrored in “The Primerica Way,” a values framework introduced in 2025 that emphasizes purpose, integrity, faith, family, and freedom, and guides how employees and independent representatives serve clients and support one another. Beyond its core business, Primerica Canada demonstrates a strong sense of social responsibility, supporting nearly 20 charitable organizations annually and amplifying conversations about the value of financial advice through initiatives like its Financial Security Monitor survey and thought leadership events. By uniting disciplined market performance, client-first product design, responsive claims service, and a deeply rooted culture of education and values, Primerica Canada is a beacon for what excellence in the insurance industry should look like. 

Elizabeth Kuepfer

Account Manager, Team Lead

With over six years of industry experience, since the brokerage opened in 2023, Elizabeth Kuepfer has been pivotal to Strong Roots Insurance’s growth. As Team Lead, Elizabeth is known for creating a supportive, solutions-driven environment where the team works confidently and cohesively. Her strong technical knowledge and calm, practical approach help ensure clients receive clear guidance and exceptional service. Elizabeth has been a steady influence during Strong Roots’ rapid rise, contributing to milestones such as earning Traveler’s Canada Brokerage of the Year. Her leadership continues to strengthen both the team and the client experience.

Account Manager, Team Lead

Elizabeth Kuepfer

Ben Webster

Co-founder and Head of Product

Ben Webster

Jamie Ugarte, PMP

Senior Vice President, Business Solutions

Nick Goritsas

Co-founder and Group CFO

Nick Goritsas

Jamie Ugarte has been in the premium finance industry for over 10 years, with experience in various roles including account and project management. As the VP Business Solutions, Jamie manages a team of technical and project management specialists and oversees the development, delivery, and implementation of FIRST Canada’s technical solutions to our insurance partners. Jamie is a certified project management professional with a BA in political science from the University of Western Ontario.

Senior Vice President, Business Solutions

Jamie Ugarte, PMP

Stuart Murray has over 21 years of experience in the Australian financial services industry, specialising in credit assessment and mortgage underwriting. Prior to joining Brighten, Stuart was Head of Lending Australia and Responsible Manager at Resimac, where he was responsible for management of all aspects of Resimac’s Australian underwriting team. Prior to that, Stuart worked in mortgage credit assessment at St.George Bank and Bluestone Mortgages.

Head of Credit

Stuart Murray

Chris Meaker has over 21 years of experience in the finance industry with a focus on lending, business development and sales management. Prior to joining Brighten, he worked for La Trobe Financial, where he was an Executive General Manager and Head of Origination Channels. Previously, he worked for Pepper Financial Services Group as State Manager and Senior Business Development Manager.

Head of Distribution

Chris Meaker

Craig Thompson

Chief Operating Officer

Co-founder and Group CFO

Nick Goritsas

BACK TO COMM GUIDE

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@primerica

Strong Roots Insurance Brokers was founded in 2023 with a clear mission: to deliver exceptional, personalized insurance solutions built on trust, transparency, and community values. Strong Roots was created to offer a modern, client-first approach to insurance –combining industry expertise with genuine care for the people and businesses we serve. In just a short time, Strong Roots has earned a reputation for outstanding service. Clients consistently highlight our responsiveness, attention to detail, and commitment to making insurance simple, understandable, and stress-free. Whether helping families protect what matters most or supporting entrepreneurs with tailored commercial coverage, we pride ourselves on creating clarity in a complex industry. Our team is dedicated to building long-term relationships, not transactions. We take the time to understand each client’s unique needs, ensuring they receive the right coverage with expert guidance at every step. As an emerging leader in the brokerage space, Strong Roots continues to innovate – leveraging technology, education, and a personalized touch to redefine what exceptional insurance service looks like. Strong Roots Insurance Brokers: protecting what matters most, from the ground up.

As an independent, forward-thinking girls’ school we are committed to preparing girls for a lifetime of learning, leadership and engagement in our global community. We believe in girls. At Ruyton Girls’ School we foster the individuality of each girl in a caring and safe environment, nurturing her intellectual, physical, social and emotional qualities that are essential to flourish. Powerful learning is central to the Ruyton culture, building on our strong academic reputation. We focus on advancing the learning of every girl through the engagement of intellectual curiosity, building their knowledge and skills about how to learn, and supporting them to achieve their personal best and be exemplary citizens. We believe in real-world learning beyond the classroom, collaborating with the wider community to promote growth, discovery and sustainability. We empower our girls to lead lives of purpose with courage, character and compassion. Through the development of values and action-focused learning they are inspired to pursue equity and justice for self and others. By embracing diversity and raising their voices, our girls effect positive change and make a difference.