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

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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

Jamie Ugarte, PMP

Senior Vice President, Business Solutions

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

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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.