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.
Role: President
Term: 2021-2023
Brokerage: Zehr Insurance Brokers
519-662-1710
Joanna Mendonca
Role: Vice President and House & Programs
Term: 2021-2023
Brokerage: Staebler Insurance
519-743-5221
Role: Secretary and Treasurer
Term: 2021-2023
Brokerage: Breckles Insurance Brokers
888-253-2547
Role: Membership & Member Development
Term: 2021-2023
Brokerage: KW Insurance Brokers
519-744-4190
Elnaz Akbari
Role: Social Media & Public Relations
Term: 2022-2024
Brokerage: Cowan Insurance Group
519-650-6363
Role: Political Action Liaison
Term: 2022-2024
Brokerage: OTIP-RAEO
800-272-5688
Laura Eagle
Role: Education
Term: 2021-2023
Brokerage: Zehr Insurance Brokers
519-746-5900
Role: Member at Large
Term: 2021-2023
Brokerage: OTIP-RAEO
519-888-9683
Role: Member at Large
Term: 2023-2025
Brokerage: OTIP-RAEO
800-267-6847 x1182
Nick Lopers
Role: Member at Large
Term: 2023-2025
Brokerage: Ives Insurance Brokers Ltd.
519-501-2625
Role: Executive Secretary
Term: N/A
Brokerage: Brokerlink Ltd. (Cambridge)
519-572-7563