Leadership

John A. Barclay

John serves as the President and CEO of SWG, boasting a decade-long tenure driving its growth and expansion. He attributes the company’s success to its talented colleagues, who possess specialized industry knowledge. John prioritizes supporting community brokers and enhancing client relationships through expertise delivery. He has strategically reinvested cash flow into infrastructure and market-facing initiatives. Notably, he’s accelerated product innovation, enriching the broker channel’s offerings. Looking ahead, John anticipates leveraging automation and AI for continued excellence. His vision includes empowering colleagues to focus more on market engagement and less on transactions, ensuring sustained success over the next decade.

Anastasia Botchkarev

Anastasia serves as both the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer at SWG since September 2019. With extensive experience in senior financial roles, she previously offered financial consulting to MedThree Insurance Group and Three Holdings Inc. In her dual roles, Anastasia drives financial stewardship, regulatory compliance, and strategic alignment for growth as CFO. Simultaneously, as COO, she manages day-to-day operations, including underwriting, HR, Marketing, IT, and Compliance. Anastasia is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA CMA), Payroll Compliance Practitioner (PCP), and recently acquired her Canadian Managing General Agent (CMGA) designation while pursuing the CIP designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada.

Howard Kohn

Howard Kohn, General Counsel at SWG, brings 37 years of legal expertise, predominantly serving insurers. Previously with A.M. Fredericks, Howard’s career spans large and boutique insurance litigation firms in Toronto. He boasts a diverse portfolio representing professionals like engineers, architects, and medical clinics, notably certified in Environmental Law by the Law Society. Howard enhances SWG’s legal team with extensive experience in personal injury claims and environmental litigation, co-authoring a prestigious legal text. In his pivotal role, Howard oversees the legal department, acts as a corporate officer, and negotiates strategic transactions, vital to SWG’s operational success.

Shannon Hayes

Shannon Hayes joined SWG as HR Team Lead in May 2024, bringing over 10 years of HR experience in Canada and the US within regulated industries. Shannon is passionate about talent development, employee engagement, and driving organizational success. Her expertise includes employee relations, recruitment, performance management, and talent development, as well as managing complex claims. Shannon has a proven track record of supporting company growth and expansion initiatives while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and values. She holds a BBA with a major in HR and a concentration in Marketing.

Colleen Bliss

Colleen serves as the central hub for all current and evolving compliance matters, ensuring seamless alignment across departments. With a steadfast commitment to transparency and accessibility, she fosters a culture of diligence and collaboration. Leveraging technology and strategic partnerships, Colleen drives efficiency, mitigates risk, and promotes compliance within SWG. Beginning her career with SWG in 1993 as a senior underwriter, she transitioned to focus exclusively on compliance. Colleen spearheads ongoing improvements in organizational compliance and governance through collaboration with technology partners and broker communities. Her dedication extends to exploring avenues for long-term value creation and sustainability across stakeholders.

Sam Capone

Samantha Capone joined SWG as Business Development Manager. Samantha brings a wealth of experience, having served as a Senior Business Development Representative at Wawanesa Insurance, and as a Broker Enablement Specialist at Gore Mutual Assurance. With a proven track record of driving growth and fostering partnerships, she is poised to make significant contributions to SWG’s continued success in the insurance industry

Georges Badro

Georges Badro, currently serving as a Bilingual Business Development Manager at SWG, brings a wealth of experience from his roles as a Business Development Specialist at ARAG and DAS within the Broker Chanel. With a background as a seasoned broker, Georges possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of the industry. His diverse expertise enables him to craft innovative sales strategies and forge impactful connections. 

Katry Ann Beaudoin

Katry Ann Beaudoin joined SWG in 2024 as the Bilingual Marketing Communication Team Lead. With a unique talent for connecting with diverse audiences, Katry Ann is instrumental in expanding SWG’s reach and impact across Canada. As a certified copywriter (SQRP), her expertise extends beyond language proficiency to include strategic planning, content creation, digital marketing, UX, and team leadership. Renowned for her innovative approach, Katry Ann has led numerous successful campaigns, showcasing her commitment to excellence and significantly enhancing SWG’s brand presence.

Yves Bouchard

Yves Bouchard joined SWG in 2020 and holds the role of Team Leader and Senior Underwriter for Liability and D&F commercial solutions. He is dedicated to providing open market solutions for complex, hard-to-place and high-risk commercial transactions. With invaluable experience in the insurance industry since 1977, and having worked for both insurers and brokers, he has an in-depth knowledge of the inner workings of the industry.

Sam Chu

Sam Chu, Senior Underwriter and Team Lead for Senior Care at SWG, has a decade of diverse insurance experience. With credentials as a Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) and Certified Risk Manager (CRM), he is known for his technical proficiency and leadership. Sam focuses on thorough risk assessment and informed decision-making. He prioritizes strong broker relations through open communication, fostering trust within the community. Committed to continuous improvement, Sam enhances operational efficiency and develops innovative insurance products for the healthcare industry.

Fanny Coulombe

Fanny Coulombe is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in insurance and underwriting. Serving as the Quebec Team Lead and Senior Underwriter for Property at SWG since 2022, she brings expertise, leadership, and a deep understanding of the Quebec market to her role. With a proven track record of delivering exceptional results, Fanny excels in analyzing risk, crafting tailored solutions, and fostering strong client relationships. 

Joyce Jiang

Joyce (Yu) Jiang has three decades of experience in the insurance industry and is the Team Lead/Senior Underwriter – Professional Lines & Cyber at SWG. She uses her extensive background to provide solutions, advice, and coaching, focusing on designing and implementing comprehensive insurance programs for Professional Lines aimed at profitable growth. Joyce joined SWG in 2016 as an Underwriter and became Team Lead in 2023. Her leadership emphasizes excellence in customer service and strong broker relationships, demonstrating her dedication to internal success and SWG’s clients.

Gary Wastle

As Senior Underwriter/Team Lead at SWG, Gary Wastle drives growth in national liability markets. Joining SWG in 2020, he brings over 20 years of experience in underwriting, leadership, and property and casualty management as a Managing General Agent (MGA). Gary steers his team to provide services infused with industry intelligence, fostering broker-trust and ensuring predictable outcomes. Collaboratively, they prioritize continuous improvement in product quality, efficacy, and execution. In today’s dynamic market landscape, flexibility is key to anticipating and addressing future risks. Gary’s proactive leadership and mentoring prowess enable SWG to deliver effective solutions consistently across provincial boundaries, ensuring readiness for tomorrow’s challenges.