Canadian employers continue to invest more and more in the health and well-being of their employees. This approach complements Canada’s tradition of public healthcare and reduces pressure on the public system. It also reinforces employers’ corporate and societal responsibilities, with Canadians increasingly relying on them for their physical and mental health needs.
Now, more than ever, Canadians need a cohesive ecosystem that supports their physical and mental health. We must come together to not only improve outcomes but also prevent illness. Join Canadian Club Toronto on May 30, when experts from the insurance and health industry will share their views on access to care and the impact on the productivity of employees. Moderated by The Globe and Mail’s Carly Weeks, our expert panel will feature:
*For virtual attendees, please note that the live stream will begin at approximately 12:40 pm ET & the link will be provided closer to the event date*
Dave Jones
President, Sun Life Health
Dave Jones is President, Sun Life Health. He is responsible for ensuring Sun Life delivers innovative health solutions to Clients and Canadians, helping them to navigate, access, and receive care. Sun Life Health is focused on empowering people to live their healthiest lives. This ambitious mandate is brought to life by leveraging the capabilities of Sun Life’s Group Benefits and Health Solutions businesses, which include Lumino Health.
Sun Life’s Group Benefits cover over 3 million Canadians and their families. With industry leading products and wellness solutions, almost 80 million claims are paid each year.
Lumino Health is an award-winning and free platform that connects Canadians with the tools and resources they need to manage their health. Lumino’s provider search allows people to find and connect with local health care providers. The search engine has been used over 30 million times.
Since joining Sun Life in 2003, Dave has held progressively senior roles in Sun Life Canada. Most recently, as Senior Vice-President, Group Benefits, leading a dedicated team supporting over 25,000 Canadian employers and their benefits plans.
Dave holds a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from the Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto and an Honours BComm from Queen’s University.
Cherif Habib
CEO, Dialogue Health Technologies inc.
Cherif Habib is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dialogue Health Technologies Inc., Canada’s leading virtual care company. Launched in 2016, Dialogue offers its Integrated Health Platform™ to over 6 million Canadians across the country. Dialogue has received several industry accolades, including The Globe & Mail Canada’s Top Growing Companies 2023, as well as becoming Canada’s first virtual care provider to receive the Accreditation Canada Primer award, a third-party validation of safety and high-level quality of care awarded to major health centers across the country. The company had completed an IPO in March 2021, and was acquired by Sun Life in October 2023, under which it operates as an independent entity.
Before launching Dialogue, Cherif was the CEO of EMcision, a medical device company acquired by Boston Scientific, and spent three years at McKinsey as a senior management consultant. He has an undergrad in Computer Science from Concordia, a LLM from the University of Turin and an MBA from The Wharton School.
Julie Quenneville
Chief Executive Officer of the University Health Network (UHN) Foundation
Julie Quenneville is Chief Executive Officer of the University Health Network (UHN) Foundation. Her career began in the public domain, first as a journalist in television, radio and print and, in 2003, as Associate Chief of Staff to Philippe Couillard, then Minister of Health and Social Services of Quebec. Working alongside Minister Couillard, Ms. Quenneville was responsible for a number of important health portfolios.
Ms. Quenneville accepted a senior management role at the MUHC in 2005. Over the next decade, she took on increasingly senior positions including Chief of Strategic Planning and in 2008, Director of Development and Marketing.
Ms. Quenneville was appointed President and CEO of the MUHC Foundation in 2015, where she spearheaded a transformation of the charitable organization resulting in a 350% increase in annual revenue, and a growth of the donor community by more than 2,500%.
She is past Chair of the Banff Forum, and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the 2024 President’s Cup, the international PGA tournament, which will be played in Montreal. She previously served on the Boards of the University Club of Montreal, the West Island Health Centre (now CIUSS), the Montrealer newspaper.
Her vast knowledge of philanthropy, business and government relations has made her a sought-after speaker on multiple platforms. Whether as a commentator, panelist or media expert, Julie communicates her message in a dynamic and engaging way. She is a change agent, passionate about the need for innovative research as a global responsibility. As someone who has excelled in her field, Julie offers her expertise to business, corporate, community, health care and government leaders. She is a proud mentor, particularly passionate about empowering young women. Julie has been named a TOP 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada, Concordia Top 50 under 50 and Montreal’s Women We Admire 2023.
Dr. Ash Bender
MD, FRCPC
Dr. Bender is an Occupational Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto. At CAMH, he is a staff psychiatrist and former Medical Head of the Work, Stress and Health Program, which is a multidisciplinary program specializing in the assessment, treatment and research of workplace mental health and addiction. Dr. Bender has several publications in this area and provides consultation and training to large organizations, including RBC Insurance. As an expert, he has performed numerous independent evaluations for worker’s compensation, private insurers, employers, unions, regulatory bodies and the courts. Clinically, Dr. Bender works with forensic populations part-time at the Toronto South Detention Centre.
Carly Weeks
Health Reporter, The Globe and Mail
As a health reporter, I have had the chance to cover some of the most important stories – the opioid crisis, overcrowded hospitals, the rise of youth vaping and, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an honour to work alongside a team of reporters and editors who work tirelessly to bring Canadians the information they need to make sense of an increasingly complex world.
