Mike Schwartz

Mike retired from Great-West Life Assurance Company (recently rebranded Canada Life) at the end of 2018 after a long, successful career.  Mike began in financial roles, having achieved his Chartered Accountant and Certified Management Accountant designations.  In 1998 he shifted course to lead customer service operations.  As Senior Vice-President Group Benefits, Mike led life, disability and health claims and contact centre operations, comprising over 2,700 staff in offices across Canada.  In 2015 Mike again changed course, joining a new team as Senior Vice-President Transformation and Operational Excellence, where he led a number of transformational change initiatives.  Over his diverse career, Mike gained deep experience in many areas, including technology and other projects, and strategic, financial, staff and service leadership.   

Mike also contributed in a broader context.  Mike led formation of Workplace Strategies for Mental Health, a public service initiative of Canada Life providing free resources towards improving workplace mental health, serving as Executive Director from its launch in 2007 until 2015.  Mike noted indigenous people were underrepresented in his service organization, and reached out to AMIK, which provides indigenous engagement services.  With AMIK’s support, Canada Life has increased its recruiting from the indigenous community.  On retirement, Mike was honoured with a spirit name, Nibing Noodin (Summer Wind), in recognition of his support.  Mike continues an interest in indigenous recruiting and reconciliation in his post-retirement life.