About the IBAWR

 

 

Who We Are

The Insurance Brokers Association of Waterloo Region (IBAWR) was established in 1931 as a not-for-profit professional business association and

still exists today to be the local advocate for the independent insurance broker in Waterloo Region, facilitating connection and communication

between members and other stakeholders for the betterment of the industry and our community. The IBAWR believes in strength in unity,

supporting and representing the independent broker as well as fulfilling our obligation to the industry, our community and individual brokers.

 

The IBAWR is an affiliate of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO), and we support the IBAO in representing our members' interests

to government ministries and regulatory bodies, as well as to insurance industry commissions and associations.

 

The IBAO advocates for independent brokers by lobbying the government; drives industry innovation and collaboration through building a strong,

sustainable business environment; and elevates brokerage operations through progressive, professional education – and the IBAWR supports

those initiatives and shares the message with members in our area.  The IBAWR also brings the concerns and opinions of members to the IBAO.

 

The IBAWR advances the interests of brokers in our area by hosting educational seminars, business events, and social affairs; and connects its

members to information, opportunities, and services, and to one another.

 

The IBAWR is one of the largest and most active affiliates in Ontario.  We hold monthly meetings for our members in January, February, March, April,

October, and December each year.  The IBAWR also hosts a Hospitality Night in May, a Golf Tournament in September, and our AGM in November

each year.  We are fortunate to live in a great community, and we support and serve our community through a number of initiatives; charitable

donations, annual award(s) for students in the Business Insurance Program, collection drives for food or warm items to benefit local organizations,

and awareness events that promote the broker channel.  Click here to check out our Events calendar.

 

The IBAWR is run by a Board of Directors who volunteer their time and energy to furthering the association’s efforts.  The IBAWR has a broad network

of industry friends that are engaged in the work we do and participate in our events, including insurance company partners, restoration contractors,

auto repair shops, and car rental companies.  We are so grateful to those industry friends that sponsor the IBAWR each year so we can continue our

work.  Click here to see a complete list of our current IBAWR sponsors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario

 

 

Other Helpful Links

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Directors

 

 
Richard Zehr

Role: President

Term: 2021-2023

Brokerage: Zehr Insurance Brokers

519-662-1710

[email protected]

 

 

Joanna Mendonca

Role: Vice President and House & Programs

Term: 2021-2023

Brokerage: Staebler Insurance

519-743-5221

[email protected]

 
Shara Bierman
Shara Bierman

Role: Past President and Sergeant at Arms

Term: 2021-2023

 

 

[email protected]

 

 

 
Shannan MacMillan

Role: Secretary and Treasurer

Term: 2021-2023

Brokerage: Breckles Insurance Brokers

888-253-2547

[email protected]

 

 
Jessica Bevenborn

Role: Membership & Member Development

Term: 2021-2023

Brokerage: KW Insurance Brokers

519-744-4190

[email protected]

 

 

Elnaz Akbari

Role: Social Media & Public Relations

Term: 2022-2024

Brokerage: Cowan Insurance Group

519-650-6363

[email protected]

 

Sonia Fonseca

Role: Political Action Liaison

Term: 2022-2024

Brokerage: OTIP-RAEO

800-272-5688

[email protected]

 

Laura Eagle 

Role: Education

Term: 2021-2023

Brokerage: Zehr Insurance Brokers

519-746-5900

[email protected]

 

 

Danny Marceau

Role: Member at Large

Term: 2021-2023

Brokerage: OTIP-RAEO

519-888-9683

[email protected]

 

Jesse Brideau

Role: Member at Large

Term: 2023-2025

Brokerage: OTIP-RAEO

800-267-6847 x1182

[email protected]

 

Nick Lopers 

Role: Member at Large

Term: 2023-2025

Brokerage: Ives Insurance Brokers Ltd.

519-501-2625

[email protected]

 

 

Dianne Andernacht

Role: Executive Secretary

Term: N/A

Brokerage: Brokerlink Ltd. (Cambridge)

519-572-7563

[email protected]