Stephen Stewart is the founder, majority shareholder, President & CEO of SSRU. He is an insurance industry veteran who has built his career from early roles in business development and underwriting, to leading the Canadian operations of an international Specialty Insurer. His experience spans the domestic, US, Bermudan and London markets on both the carrier and brokerage sides.

Stephen founded SSRU in 2016 with the backing of specialist private equity firm BP Marsh and Partners. His vision was to build a company driven by customer need, and differentiated by a unique capacity offering, employee empowerment, and underwriting excellence. This vision has been realized in the SSRU of today. Stephen holds an unrestricted RIBO license, as well as CAIB and FCIP designations.

Georgiana Pasca is the Chief Financial Officer at SSRU and has been with the company since 2018. She is responsible for financial planning, reporting, compliance, treasury, and the capital structure of the company. Georgiana has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, working in both Europe and North America with multi-national insurance organizations covering Life, Health and Property & Casualty. Prior to joining SSRU, Georgiana worked for ING Insurance and NN Group in various roles across financial, strategic, and operational areas.

Georgiana has a Master of International Finance degree from the University of Amsterdam and a CRM designation. She enjoys reading, cycling, playing tennis, and travelling with her family.

Kimberly Aggio is the Director of Business Operations at SSRU and has been with the company since 2023. Kimberly is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operational functions of SSRU. Her mandate includes regulatory and compliance matters, claims, administrative activities and overseeing SSRU’s company standards to ensure optimal business workflows and continued enterprise growth.

As a nationally licensed, unrestricted insurance professional, Kimberly has also been appointed Deputy Principal under SSRU’s CEO, Stephen Stewart.

Prior to joining SSRU, Kimberly was with Dion Strategic and worked as TPA Claims Manager on the SSRU account from its inception. Kimberly is a licensed, unrestricted broker in all provinces and territories and holds a CAIB, RIBO and LLQP.

In her spare time, Kimberly enjoys working on her private pilot ratings, playing hockey, cooking,and is an advocate for Autism Awareness as well as mental health/wellness. Most importantly, she enjoys being a mom to her teenage son and daughter.

Victor Ip is Senior Vice President of Casualty at SSRU and has been with the company since formation.

In this role, Victor is responsible for overseeing the operation and growth of the Casualty department, building on our relationships with existing and new broker partners and finding solutions for their corporate insurance needs. Victor has over 17 years of experience as an Underwriter in the Casualty space, working for both domestic and international carriers. Prior to SSRU, Victor spent three years at Ironshore Canada Limited as the Head of Casualty and held senior underwriting positions at ACE INA Insurance and Lombard Canada.

Victor has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto with concentrations in Economics and Geography, as well as a CIP designation. During his free time, Victor likes to travel, golf, run, and spend time with family and friends.

Peter Lee is Vice President of Casualty at SSRU and has been with the company since 2019. Peter is responsible for the growth of Non-Energy Casualty classes including Manufacturing, Construction, Realty, Retail and Transportation. Peter has over 25 years of experience as an Underwriter and Broker in the Casualty space, working for both domestic and international companies. Prior to joining SSRU, Peter gained experience at ACE INA Insurance, Chubb, Liberty and Northbridge.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Laurentian University. In his spare time, Peter likes to spend time with his family, hiking, fishing and boating.

Shauna Congram is Assistant Vice President of Casualty at SSRU and has been with the company since 2021. Shauna is responsible for the maintenance and growth of the overall Casualty book.

Shauna has over 20 years of experience as a General Casualty and Environmental Underwriter, and has worked in both the MGA and Primary company spaces. Prior to joining SSRU, Shauna worked for Markel Canada, Ace/Chubb and Elliott Special Risk.

Shauna holds a CIP designation and an Honours B.A. degree from the University of Toronto.

Elizabeth Acob is a Senior Underwriting Technician, Casualty at SSRU and has been with the company for since 2022.

Elizabeth is responsible for providing assistance to the Casualty department with premium booking, policy issuance and invoicing. Elizabeth also generates reports for new business and renewal accounts.

Elizabeth has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, and previously worked for Zurich, ING, Marsh, and ACE/Chubb Insurance.

Elizabeth is a graduate of A.B. Economics and is currently working on her CIP and LOMA designations.

In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoys watching movies, sports (tennis/basketball), reading novels, taking care of her plants, cooking, travel, and spending time with family and friends.

Heather M. Jamieson is Senior Vice President of Property at SSRU, and has been with the company since the formation of the Property department in 2019.

Heather is responsible for the operation and growth of the Property and Programs departments. Heather is a fourth generation Insurance Specialist with over 15 years of experience in the industry. Prior to joining SSRU, Heather worked for Zurich and Allianz in positions of increasing responsibility.

Heather’s experience is focused on the structure and execution of international programs primarily in the Mining, Oil & Gas and Power Generation space, and navigating the complex regulatory environment that comes with it.

Heather attended the University of Toronto, has a CRM designation, and is working on her CMGA designation. She is an avid gardener and enjoys spending time in the country with her family and dogs.

Nick Del Monte is Vice President in SSRU’s Property division and has been with the company since 2021. He is responsible for the maintenance and growth of the Non-Energy Property book.

Nick has over 20 years of experience underwriting Large and Complex Property accounts. Prior to joining SSRU, Nick worked for Everest, HDI, CNA, ACE/Chubb, Liberty and Transatlantic Re.

Nick holds a FCIP designation and a CRM designation.

In his spare time, Nick enjoys walks, cycling, playing soccer, travelling, and spending time with family and friends.

Stefanie Mangiacotte is an Underwriter in SSRU’s Programs department and is responsible for the maintenance and growth of SSRU’s new & existing Program business.

Stefanie has been active in the MGA and broker environments for over 8 years; primarily focused in Commercial Lines of business.

Stefanie holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Ryerson University, a Diploma in Property & Casualty Insurance from Conestoga College, a CIP designation, and is RIBO licensed.

In her spare time, Stefanie enjoys cooking, travelling to sunny destinations, and spending time with family and friends.

Elysse Ali is a Senior Underwriting Technician, Property at SSRU and has been with the company since 2021. Elysse is responsible for servicing new and renewal business including invoicing, booking, reporting, and CAT modelling.

Elysse has over ten years of underwriting experience in the insurance industry and previously worked at Zurich, CNA, and Aviva.

Elysse has a diploma from George Brown College in Social Work.

In her spare time, Elysse enjoys a good slice of pizza while watching comedies with her family.

Sarah Arruda is an Underwriting Technician, Property at SSRU and has been with the company since 2022. Sarah is responsible for supporting SSRU’S Property Underwriters with the booking of our new and renewal business, as well as transactions on in force policies.

Sarah has a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Journalism and is working on her CMGA designation through the Insurance Institute of Canada.

In her spare time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her daughter, working out at the gym, playing video games, and binge watching true crime TV shows.

Dana McDougall is Team Lead, Programs at SSRU and has been with the company since 2020. Dana is responsible for the management and maintenance of the Residential Realty Program.

Dana has over 10 years experience in the commercial insurance industry in underwriting roles of increasing responsibility. Prior to joining SSRU, Dana worked for a large international carrier.

In her spare time, Dana enjoys spending time with her family and friends, entertaining her two young children, cooking, music, and reading.

Tiia Planert is a Programs Underwriter at SSRU and has been with the company since 2022. Tiia is responsible for the maintenance and growth of our Residential Realty Program book.

Tiia completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) from Queen’s University, and completed her CIP (Honours) as the top graduate in 2020.

Tiia has over 5 years of experience in the insurance industry in both personal and commercial insurance underwriting. She previously worked for Halwell Mutual Insurance Company.

In her spare time, Tiia likes to travel, read, and enjoy meals on a patio with family and friends.

Whitney Cottingham is an Underwriting Assistant for the Residential Realty Program at SSRU, and has been with the company since 2022. Whitney is responsible for handling policy and bulk submission processing, and for generating month-end reporting.

Whitney has over 13 years of experience in the insurance industry. She previously worked as an Account Executive at a Canadian-owned insurance software company for over 10 years.

In her spare time, Whitney enjoys spending time with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors – camping, swimming, and archery in the summer months, and watching her kids play hockey during the winter.

Brian Hitchlock is Director of Information and Operations at SSRU and has been with the company since 2017. Brian is responsible for our digital infrastructure and the applications we use to manage our operations.

Brian is a second-generation insurance professional and has spent nearly 30 years working as an insurance broker, manager, trainer and consultant in the Canadian insurance industry. Brian holds an unrestricted RIBO registration, as well as CAIB and CIP designations.

Binh Nguyen is an IT Operations Analyst at SSRU and has been with the company since 2022. Binh is responsible for managing SSRU’s network, hardware and software.

Binh previously worked for Marsh and McLennan and has over 15 years of IT experience.

In his spare time, Binh enjoys trying out new restaurants.

Nicole Macdonald is Vice President of Communications and Underwriting at SSRU and has been with the company since 2019. Nicole is responsible for managing all communications for the company and overseeing the underwriting of Program business. Nicole has over 20 years of experience including front line underwriting, management, and corporate governance roles in both the Casualty and Property lines of business. Prior to joining SSRU, Nicole worked for several carriers, including Aviva Canada, Northbridge Insurance and Zurich Canada.

Nicole has a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a minor in Business Communications from Ryerson University and an FCIP designation. When Nicole is not busy chasing after her two young sons, she can usually be found running by the beach near her home. She also enjoys reading, hiking, and a good cup of coffee with family and friends.

Vicki Stewart is an Executive Coordinator at SSRU and has been with the company for over 4 years. Vicki is responsible for coordinating the CEO’s schedule and making sure the office runs smoothly.

Vicki has over 20 years of experience in the insurance industry and previously worked at American Reinsurance and The MEARIE Group.

In her spare time, Vicki enjoys reading and gardening.

Michelle Francis is a Business Process Analyst at SSRU and has been with the company since 2021.

Michelle is responsible for evaluating and analysing employee needs, internal workflows and business process, and collaborate with the business and IT leaders to outline and document process designs.

Michelle holds a B.Tech IT degree. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and crocheting.