Discover the story behind the Foundation, how it all began, who we are, and the impact we’re making to support insurance and risk management education today.
The William H. McGannon Foundation (the Foundation) was established following the release of a study by the RIMS Canada Council in 1999 that evaluated the need for a Canadian organization to support risk management education and advance the profession of risk management in Canada.
The Foundation was established to provide resources in the form of scholarships, research grants and student involvement to advance risk management by way of education, research, mentorship and work experience programs.
It is modeled after the Spencer Foundation in the U.S. and acts independently from Spencer and RIMS.
The Foundation is established as a Canadian Corporation under the provisions of the Canada Corporations Act and is governed by the provisions of that Act and by the By-laws of the Foundation.
Our Financial Highlights
Take a deep dive into our financials and discover how our donor support is driving the Foundation’s success.
2024 Stewardship Report
A look at the impact we’ve made through a year of growth, partnership, and progress.
Board of Directors
April’s risk management career spans over 25 years during which she has developed extensive experience in operational and enterprise risk management, claims management and the design of insurance and risk management programs.
April’s exposure to risk management began with her career in the consulting division of Aon Toronto. April then spent 10+ years in the Hudson’s Bay Company corporate risk department holding various roles of increasing scope and responsibility.
April joined Catlin Canada in 2005 and served in various roles as the Canadian Hub grew and matured which included Chief Risk & Compliance Officer, Director, Broker Relations & Risk and membership on Catlin’s Executive Committee.
In 2014, April joined Yamana Gold with responsibility for directing their insurance and risk functions supporting their operations of gold production, development and exploration properties and land positions throughout the Americas including Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Canada.
April joined Crawford Canada in 2020 in the role of National Account Executive, London Markets with responsibility for the management of claims services to Lloyd’s & London market clients and Coverholders in Canada.
April has since returned to the Mining sector joining Centerra Gold in 2022 with responsibility for insurance and risk management supporting Centerra’s focus on operating, developing, exploring and acquiring gold and copper properties in North America, Türkiye, and other markets worldwide.
As an active participant within the risk management community, April has served as a long term Board Member and two term President of the Ontario Chapter of RIMS, Co-Chair Industry of the 2008 RIMS Canada Conference, Chair of the RIMS Canada National Conference Committee, Co-Chair of the 2017 Toronto RIMS Canada Conference and Member of the RIMS Nominating Committee. She has also previously served on the Risk Management Steering Committee for the Girl Guides of Canada.
April joined the McGannon Foundation Board in 2010 and sits as Co-President alongside Frances Weeks. April holds both Chartered Insurance Professional and Certified Risk Management designations.
Location: Calgary, AB
Frances is a Managing Partner at Iridium Risk Services. Iridium provides leading edge risk management and insurance brokerage solutions to energy and energy-related companies operating in Canada and around the globe. Frances joined Iridium in 2006 and is a member of the executive team, with responsibility for finance. She is also the Account Lead on a number of energy, marine and chemical companies.
Frances started her insurance career in 1990 in the risk management department at Husky Energy, where she spent 14 years providing internal consultative risk management advice.
In 2004, Frances joined global broker Aon as a Senior Risk Analyst, providing outsourced risk management services to a variety of multi-national clients, including Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.
Frances is a past Board Member of the Southern Alberta chapter of RIMS (SARIMS) and was a Program Committee member for both the 1999 and the 2006 RIMS Canada conferences. She is a frequent volunteer with the Calgary Drop-in and Rehab Centre.
Frances joined the McGannon Foundation Board in 2018 and sits as Co-President alongside April Savchuk.
Frances holds the Certified Risk Manager (CRM) designation.
Location: St. John’s, NL
Craig is the founder and CEO of ClearRisk, a leading North American Risk Management Information System provider. Craig actively works as a mentor and advisor with tech startups and entrepreneurs, and he is Past Chair of techNL. He is Past Chair, YMCA Canada; Past Chair, YMCA Newfoundland and Labrador; Past Chair Ches Penney Family YMCA Building Project, Past Chair of Newfoundland and Labrador RIMS. In addition to his work with the YMCA for over 20 years, Craig has been a director with numerous other organizations, such as United Way Centraide Canada, RIMS (US), and co-founded a charity poker event called The Big Raise that has raised almost $500,000 for charities over 6 events. Craig and his wife, Heather have three grown children.
Location: Calgary, AB
Dave McKeen is the VP of National Underwriting and Risk Engineering at Sovereign. In this role, he works with the specialists in the National Underwriting Center, Actuarial, Business Analytics, Claims and Risk Engineering to support our underwriting teams across the country as they work to support our business partners.
With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, specializing in Commercial and Specialty lines within the mid-market space, Dave has held progressive underwriting and leadership roles with Chubb prior to joining Sovereign.
In his current role, Dave is passionate about developing innovative solutions that benefit clients and supporting our underwriting team in making informed, strategic decisions. He deeply values the knowledge and expertise within our team and is committed to creating an empowering environment for their success.
Dave is thrilled about his appointment to the William H. McGannon Foundation board. He fully supports the foundation’s focus on advancing the field of risk management through education, research, mentorship, and work experience programs. This opportunity aligns with his dedication to driving innovation and empowering future generations of risk management professionals.
Outside of work, Dave enjoys an active lifestyle that includes travel, cycling, hiking, and skiing. He also values spending quality time with his family in Calgary.
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Hobby was one of the first graduates from the University of Calgary’s Risk Management and Insurance concentration within their Business degree program. That program sparked a long and very rewarding career in the risk and insurance industry.
Hobby has accumulated over 30 years of experience in risk management roles at large companies such as Parkland, Nexen, Enmax and Shell as well as experience in insurance underwriting and broking roles.
Hobby is currently a Risk Advisor at Iridium Risk Services providing risk management advice and insurance coverage solutions to companies in complex industries. Besides his Bachelor of Commerce degree, Hobby holds the FCIP and CRM designations.
Hobby is passionate about advancing the profession of risk management in Canada and participates on this Foundation’s board to help realize that passion.
Location: Mississauga, ON
Joseph Alcaraz is the Associate Vice President, Risk Engineering at Sovereign Insurance. Joe started his insurance career in 1993 and developed proficiency in all lines of commercial insurance coverage conducting risk/loss control surveys ranging from small, medium sized risks to larger highly protected risks. Joe specializes in the construction segment, and advanced fire protection.
In 2015, Joe joined Sovereign to lead the strategic refresh and transformation of Sovereign’s Loss Control Services to Risk Engineering. The risk engineering practice supports our Commercial and Specialty Solutions including Natural Resources, and Equipment Breakdown practices. Also, Cooperators General Insurance – Commercial & Farm Joe is a licenced Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario and a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) with a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering. He has his Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP,) and Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designations. Joe is recognized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) as a Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS.)
Recently appointed to the William H. McGannon Foundation’s Board of Directors, Joe has built a career driven by his passion for risk management. He is eager to support the Foundation’s mission of advancing the field through education, mentorship, and research. Joe looks forward to inspiring the next generation to explore the dynamic career opportunities within the insurance industry.
Joe lives in Mississauga, Ontario with his wife Margaret and 2 boys – Eric and Adam. He is a volunteer for Erindale Lions Little League.
Location: Montreal, QC
Will Vainqueur has been Client Company Executive for HSB Canada since 2020. Prior to this role, he was a risk manager for McGill University where he managed the institution’s insurance portfolio, as well as providing the different departments and faculties with risk assessment guidance.
Will joined the McGannon foundation board of directors in 2024 as he has a passion for education in the field of Risk Management and Insurance. Understanding the importance of paying it forward and the infinite opportunities for all backgrounds within the field, he hopes not only to attract new professionals to the industry, but also to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Will holds a management degree from McGill university, a Project Management diploma (also from McGill University), and a CRM designation.
Who is Bill McGannon and Why is the Foundation Named After Him?
For those few people in the business that did not know him, Mr. William McGannon was one of the first risk managers in Canada to set up a full service risk management department with loss prevention services and statistical support at NOVA Chemicals Corporation in Alberta in 1979. He retired from that position in 1998. Bill frequently lectured at the University of Calgary where he was instrumental in setting up the Chair of Risk Management and served as ‘Executive in Residence’ from 1998-2000. Sadly, Mr. McGannon passed away in August of 2015 and his presence is sadly and profoundly missed.
The Foundation was named after Mr. McGannon given he was a long time supporter of risk management education and he is also one of the founding Fathers of the Foundation. When searching for a name for the Foundation the initial Board felt that it was most appropriate to attach a name synonymous with excellence in the risk management profession and long time support of education.
Hall of Fame
Joe Restoule, Founder
It is with very heavy hearts that the Board of Directors of the William H. McGannon Foundation announces the passing of Joseph Restoule, one of the Founding Fathers and the Foundation’s President on March 29, 2024.
The Foundation has flourished under Joe’s leadership and guidance over the past 20+ years, and the void in his presence and in our hearts simply cannot be filled. We have lost a dear friend and icon.
Mark Roberton, Director
Mark Roberton gently passed from the loving arms of his family, Linda, Christine and Jason, to the arms of God, in the early hours of Sunday, March 11, 2018 at the age of 61 years. Mark served as a Director for many years and the Board will never forget his many contributions and dedication to the growth of our ambitions and vision. He will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched.
Denis Matthew Schaeffer, Director
Peacefully, with his family by his side, on Saturday, September 8, 2018, Denis passed away at the Dorothy Ley Hospice at the age of 59. Beloved husband of Barbara for 34 wonderful years. Cherished father of Nicole (Livey) and Matthew. Loving father-in-law of Andrew Livey. Son of the late Veronique and Matija Schaeffer. Brother to Monica and the late Marc Schaeffer. He enjoyed every minute of his lifelong career as a chemical engineer. Denis will be remembered for his humour, generosity, joie de vivre and enduring love for his family.
