March 23, 2022, Toronto, ON — Canadian Premier Life Insurance Company has appointed three employees to new leadership roles.

Graham Kent appointed to Chief Operating Officer

Graham joined Canadian Premier in 2017 as Chief Risk Officer and Chief Actuary. In 2020, the role of Chief Investment Officer was added to his responsibilities. Under his leadership, Canadian Premier has developed a thoughtful and resilient Enterprise Risk Management program – putting into place governance, policies and practices that empower every employee to be part of Canadian Premier’s strong risk culture.

As Chief Actuary, Graham has driven understanding and review of all reserves, established a strong second line of defense for financial risks and built a highly functioning team. As Chief Investment Officer, he has established a great working relationship with external asset managers, driven significant earnings through an updated investment strategy and advocated for an environmental, social and governance (ESG) view within the investment strategy.

In his new role, Graham continues to oversee Canadian Premier’s risk, actuarial and investment functions while also driving strategy and the company’s transformation efforts made possible by the acquisition of Sun Life’s sponsored markets business. Graham reports to Suzette Huovinen, Canadian Premier’s CEO.

Cassandra Tontini appointed to Chief Risk Officer

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, Cassandra joined Canadian Premier in 2018 as Head of Corporate Actuarial. With a strong background in actuarial valuation and oversight, Cassandra has created a framework for the company’s financial risk management, and led enhancements to Canadian Premier’s reserving practices including working on annual experience studies and basis changes.

Over the last two years, Cassandra has led Canadian Premier’s understanding of mortality and morbidity risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including serving as Canadian Premier’s representative to parent company Securian Financial’s Mortality Task Force. She has also taken on asset liability management, working closely with external asset managers.

In her new role, Cassandra is responsible to the Canadian Premier Board of Directors for the Enterprise Risk Management program as a whole, and oversees the second line of defense for risk management.

John Burns appointed Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Privacy Officer and Chief Anti-Money Laundering Officer

Currently reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, John joined Canadian Premier in January 2022. A 24-year insurance and financial services professional, John has significant regulatory and compliance experience in the industry. Before joining Canadian Premier, he held regulatory and compliance roles of increasing responsibility with Primerica, Manulife Financial and John Hancock.

In his three roles, John oversees Canadian Premier’s compliance functions, reporting regularly to the Board and to regulators. He also serves as the company’s representative to industry groups for compliance and regulatory topics.

“We are pleased to have high quality talent such as Graham, Cassandra, and John leading the way, as we continue our rapid growth and expansion,” said Suzette Huovinen. “I thank them for their accomplishments to date and congratulate them on their expanded roles.”

About Canadian Premier

For more than 60 years, Canadian Premier has been committed to providing financial security to Canadians and their families in the face of uncertainties. Canadian Premier offers individual term and group life, accident & sickness, credit and creditor insurance solutions to a number of leading financial institutions, retailers and affinity groups, insuring over 2 million Canadians and families coast-to-coast. Canadian Premier is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Securian Financial Group, Inc. To learn more about Canadian Premier, visit www.canadianpremier.ca.

Media Contact

Rosie Iskander
416-358-9190
rosie.iskander@canadianpremier.ca