Headquarters:
Toronto, ON, Canada
Year founded:
1967
Number of employees:
300
Phone:
416 673 9000
Email:
contact@caatpension.ca
Website:
caatpension.ca
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/caat-pension-plan
"We are constantly living by our core values: integrity, impact and teamwork"
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
Read on
IB Top Brokerages
Award Winner
SHIELDED INSURANCE BROKERS
Award Winner
CAAT PENSION PLAN
Derek Dobson
Chief Executive Officer
and Plan Manager
Kevin Rorwick
Chief Operating Officer
and Chief Financial Officer
Asif Haque
Chief Investment Officer
Leadership
Since joining as CEO in April 2009, Derek Dobson has applied his expertise in funding, risk management, strategic planning, governance, and stakeholder relations to strengthen the CAAT Plan, and more recently, guide its growth. In addition to leading one of Canada’s model pension plans, he plays an active role in various industry groups, notably as co-chair of the Canadian Public Pension Leadership Council and as a member of the board of directors of the Association of Canadian Pension Management. He is also an associate of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
Derek has a mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo.
Chief Executive Officer and Plan Manager
Derek Dobson
Kevin Rorwick is a chartered professional accountant (CPA, CA) with more than 25 years of experience in the financial services sector and a strong background in investment operations and risk management. He oversees core operations of the plan, which includes responsibility for all member and employer interactions and administration, as well as central functions, including finance, office administration, information technology, and communications and marketing.
Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Kevin Rorwick
Asif Haque brings over 25 years of experience in finance and investments to CAAT Pension Plan. As CIO, he leads CAAT’s investment team in managing a portfolio designed to generate sufficient long-term returns to keep benefits secure. Prior to this appointment, Asif was responsible for CAAT’s public market investment program. He sits on the board of directors of the Pension Investment Association of Canada and serves as chair of its Member Services Committee.
He earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Toronto, and is a CFA charterholder.
Chief Investment Officer
Asif Haque
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
“We are constantly living by our core values: integrity, impact and teamwork”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
“We now have more frequent recognition awards because we want to celebrate our employees’ contributions”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
Read on
Award Winner
CAAT PENSION PLAN
Asif Haque
Chief Investment Officer
Kevin Rorwick
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Derek Dobson
Chief Executive Officer and Plan Manager
Leadership
Headquarters:
Toronto, ON, Canada
Year founded:
1967
Number of employees:
300
Phone:
416 673 9000
Email:
contact@caatpension.ca
Website:
caatpension.ca
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/caat-pension-plan
Since joining as CEO in April 2009, Derek Dobson has applied his expertise in funding, risk management, strategic planning, governance, and stakeholder relations to strengthen the CAAT Plan, and more recently, guide its growth. In addition to leading one of Canada’s model pension plans, he plays an active role in various industry groups, notably as co-chair of the Canadian Public Pension Leadership Council and as a member of the board of directors of the Association of Canadian Pension Management. He is also an associate of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
Derek has a mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo.
Chief Executive Officer and Plan Manager
Derek Dobson
Kevin Rorwick is a chartered professional accountant (CPA, CA) with more than 25 years of experience in the financial services sector and a strong background in investment operations and risk management. He oversees core operations of the plan, which includes responsibility for all member and employer interactions and administration, as well as central functions, including finance, office administration, information technology, and communications
and marketing.
Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Kevin Rorwick
Asif Haque brings over 25 years of experience in finance and investments to CAAT Pension Plan. As CIO, he leads CAAT’s investment team in managing a portfolio designed to generate sufficient long-term returns to keep benefits secure. Prior to this appointment, Asif was responsible for CAAT’s public market investment program. He sits on the board of directors of the Pension Investment Association of Canada and serves as chair of its Member Services Committee.
He earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Toronto, and is a CFA charterholder.
Chief Investment Officer
Asif Haque
SPECIAL REPORT
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Bio
For the second year running, Shielded Insurance Brokers has claimed the number-one spot among IB’s Top Brokerages. In 2020, it was record-setting growth that drove the company’s impressive success. This year, says managing director Stuart Brady, the key ingredient behind the win is the Shielded culture. Brady is proud of the shared vision for constant improvement across all aspects of the business. “We are thrilled to take out the win again, and it’s hats off to the team for their hard work over the past year,” he says.
“Now, we have much more frequent recognition awards because we want to celebrate people staying at CAAT and recognize the contributions that they bring to the organization”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
“We are constantly living by our core values: integrity, impact and teamwork”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
Read on
Award Winner
CAAT PENSION PLAN
Julie Giraldi
Chief Human Resources Officer
Kevin Rorwick
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Derek Dobson
Chief Executive Officer and Plan Manager
Leadership
Headquarters:
Toronto, ON, Canada
Year founded:
1967
Number of employees:
300
Phone:
416 673 9000
Email:
contact@caatpension.ca
Website:
caatpension.ca
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/
caat-pension-plan
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
Since joining as CEO in April 2009,
Derek Dobson has applied his expertise in funding, risk management, strategic planning, governance, and stakeholder relations to strengthen the CAAT Plan,
and more recently, guide its growth. In addition to leading one of Canada’s model pension plans, he plays an active role in various industry groups, notably as co-chair of the Canadian Public Pension Leadership Council and as a member of the board of directors of the Association of Canadian Pension Management. He is also an associate of the Canadian Institute
of Actuaries.
Derek has a mathematics degree from the University of Waterloo.
Chief Executive Officer and Plan Manager
Derek Dobson
Kevin Rorwick is a chartered professional accountant (CPA, CA) with more than
25 years of experience in the financial services sector and a strong background
in investment operations and risk management. He oversees core operations of the plan, which includes responsibility for all member and employer interactions and administration, as well as central functions, including finance, office administration, information technology, and communications and marketing.
Kevin holds a bachelor’s degree in
business administration from Wilfrid Laurier University.
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer
Kevin Rorwick
Evan Howard and his team are responsible for pension policy development, public affairs, and pension regulatory compliance at CAAT. He brings over 25 years of experience in the area of pension and benefits law in Canada and abroad. Previously chair of the Ontario Regional Council of the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM), he continues to serve on the ACPM’s National Policy Committee.
Evan earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto (Trinity College)
and an LLB from the University of
Western Ontario.
Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer
Evan Howard
For the second year running, Shielded Insurance Brokers has claimed the number-one spot among IB’s Top Brokerages. In 2020, it was record-setting growth that drove the company’s impressive success. This year, says managing director Stuart Brady, the key ingredient behind the win is the Shielded culture. Brady is proud of the shared vision for constant improvement across all aspects of the business. “We are thrilled to take out the win again, and it’s hats off to the team for their hard work over the past year,” he says.
Evan Howard
Chief Legal and
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Evan Howard and his team are responsible for pension policy development, public affairs, and pension regulatory compliance at CAAT. He brings over 25 years of experience in the area of pension and benefits law in Canada and abroad. Previously chair of the Ontario Regional Council of the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM), he continues to serve on the ACPM’s National Policy Committee.
Evan earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto (Trinity College) and an LLB from the University of Western Ontario.
Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer
Evan Howard
Evan Howard
Chief Legal and
Regulatory Affairs Officer
Evan Howard and his team are responsible for pension policy development, public affairs, and pension regulatory compliance at CAAT. He brings over 25 years of experience in the area of pension and benefits law in Canada and abroad. Previously chair of the Ontario Regional Council of the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM), he continues to serve on the ACPM’s National Policy Committee.
Evan earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Toronto (Trinity College) and an LLB from the University
of Western Ontario.
Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer
Evan Howard
Asif Haque
Chief Investment Officer
Asif Haque brings over 25 years of experience in finance and investments to CAAT Pension Plan. As CIO, he leads CAAT’s investment team in managing a portfolio designed to generate sufficient long-term returns to keep benefits secure. Prior to this appointment, Asif was responsible for CAAT’s public market investment program. He sits on the board of directors of the Pension Investment Association of Canada and serves as chair of its Member Services Committee.
He earned a master’s degree in economics from the University of Toronto, and is a CFA charterholder.
Chief Investment Officer
Asif Haque
Julie Giraldi
Chief Human Resources Officer
Julie Giraldi is an accomplished, energetic senior executive and a recognized organizational culture turnaround specialist. A valued member of executive teams, Julie has demonstrated expertise in setting and executing winning strategies for people and business needs. She joined CAAT Pension Plan in 2018, and is accountable for people and culture. As CAAT’s very own “intrapreneur,” Julie leads the organization’s innovation initiatives.
She holds a degree from the University of Toronto, is a Certified Human Resources Executive from the Human Resources Professional Association, and is certified by the Institute of Corporate Directors as an ICD.D.
Chief Human Resources Officer
Julie Giraldi
Julie Giraldi
Chief Human Resources Officer
Julie Giraldi is an accomplished, energetic senior executive and a recognized organizational culture turnaround specialist. A valued member of executive teams, Julie has demonstrated expertise in setting and executing winning strategies for people and business needs. She joined CAAT Pension Plan in 2018, and is accountable for people and culture. As CAAT’s very own “intrapreneur,” Julie leads the organization’s innovation initiatives.
She holds a degree from the University of Toronto,
is a Certified Human Resources Executive from the Human Resources Professional Association, and is certified by the Institute of Corporate Directors as
an ICD.D.
Founding and Managing Partner
Julie Giraldi
Evan Howard
Chief Legal and Regulatory Affairs Officer
Julie Giraldi is an accomplished, energetic senior executive and a recognized organizational culture turnaround specialist. A valued member of executive teams, Julie has demonstrated expertise in setting and executing winning strategies for people and business needs. She joined CAAT Pension Plan in 2018, and is accountable for people and culture. As CAAT’s very own “intrapreneur,” Julie leads the organization’s innovation initiatives.
She holds a degree from the University of Toronto, is a Certified Human Resources Executive from the Human Resources Professional Association, and is certified
by the Institute of Corporate Directors as an ICD.D.
Chief Human Resources Officer
Julie Giraldi
“That’s really great because it helps us connect across the platform, regardless of where people are working or the times that they’re working,”
she says.
More importantly, the recognition ties into CAAT’s values, so people choose which value is being recognized, such as integrity or teamwork, for each award. Giraldi says that the platform is great because it builds momentum
and awareness, and enables other people to leave comments.
“We’re all connected so I can log in any day and see what’s happening, along with messages. And it’s really heartwarming when your colleague takes the time to send you a thank-you note to or recognize you on your anniversary.”
The online program also includes quarterly awards if the organization meets its corporate objectives, along with long-service recognition at one, three
or five years, followed by five-year intervals starting at the employee’s
10th anniversary.
“Prior to the pandemic, we were only recognizing 15-year milestones, but we want to celebrate and recognize the contributions that our employees bring to the organization more frequently. This has been well received, along with CAAT’s employee referral program, which makes up about 30 per cent of new hires. Giraldi says that employee networks and referrals are a primary way of attracting new employees and are reflective of the strong brand CAAT has with employees.
Another important area is employee wellness, which has been adjusted partly because of feedback from the employees themselves and because of Covid-19. Previously, CAAT offered a gym membership or fitness incentive for physical fitness, but because of the pandemic, many employees either couldn’t go to the gym or weren’t interested in that form of physical fitness. To solve this, CAAT offered alternatives to staff, including options such as online yoga classes and a subscription to the Calm app for meditation. In 2022, CAAT expanded the wellness incentive.
“We’ve given people an incentive that they get to use for physical, mental or financial wellness — whatever contributes to your wellness – because wellness comes in different forms for different people,” she says.
If there was any question about the success of these efforts, Giraldi cites an employee engagement score that rose from 76 per cent in 2019 to 84 per cent in 2021.
“That’s awesome, and it validates that we’re on the right track in terms of the environment [and] the initiatives that we provide.”
CAAT Pension Plan is an independent, jointly governed plan that offers two designs of a defined benefit pension. It is respected for its pension and investment management expertise as well as focus on stability and benefit security. The award-winning DBplus plan is leading an extraordinary pace of growth for the company.
Originally created to support the Ontario college system, the Plan now serves more than 200 participating employers in 11 industries including the for-profit, non-profit, and broader public sectors. The Plan currently has more than 75,000 active and retired members. On January 1, 2021, the Plan was 119 per cent funded on a going-concern basis.
At CAAT Pension Plan, there’s a culture of celebration, says the company’s chief human resources officer, Julie Giraldi. That’s especially true as the organization grows to more than 300 people.
“[Our numbers have] more than doubled since the pandemic started and we want to make sure, through these rewards and recognition programs and, quite frankly, anything else that we do, that it ties people to our culture and
we are constantly living by our core values: integrity, impact and teamwork.”
To that end, the organization moved its peer-to-peer recognition to an
online platform, having previously focused on handwritten thank-you notes
for employees.
“We now have more frequent recognition awards because we want to celebrate our employees’ contributions”
Julie Giraldi,
CAAT Pension Plan
At CAAT Pension plan, there’s a culture of celebration, says the company’s chief human resources officer, Julie Giraldi. That’s especially true as the organization grows to more than 300 people.
“[Our number has] more than doubled since the pandemic started and we want to make sure, through these rewards and recognition programs and, quite frankly, anything else that we do, that it ties people to our culture and we are constantly living by our core values: integrity, impact
and teamwork.”
To that end, the organization moved its peer-to-peer recognition to an online platform, having previously focused on handwritten thank-you notes for employees.
“That’s really great because it helps us connect across the platform, regardless of where people are working or the times that they’re working,” she says.
More importantly, the recognition ties into CAAT’s values, so people choose which value is being recognized, such as integrity or teamwork, for each award. Giraldi says that the platform is great because it builds momentum and awareness, and enables other people to leave comments.
“We’re all connected so I can log in any day and see what’s happening, who’s getting recognized, what are some of the messages. And it’s really heartwarming when your colleague takes the time to send you a thank-you note to or recognize you on your anniversary by saying, ‘Thanks for all the contributions you’ve made.’”
The online program, Kudos, also includes quarterly awards if the organization meets its corporate objectives, along with long-service recognition at one, three or five years, followed by five-year intervals starting at the employee’s 10th anniversary.
“Prior to the pandemic, we were only recognizing 15-year milestones, but now we have much more frequent recognition awards because we want to celebrate people staying at CAAT and recognize the contributions that they bring to the organization. And that’s been really well received,” she says.
A referral program also gives employees $500 for recommending a new recruit who stays with the organization for at least 18 months. Giraldi says that networks and referrals are CAAT’s way to bring in new people and it reflects employees’ perception of the company as a great employer.
At CAAT Pension Plan, there’s a culture of celebration, says the company’s chief human resources officer, Julie Giraldi. That’s especially true as the organization grows to more than 300 people.
“[Our number has] more than doubled since the pandemic started and we want to make sure, through these rewards and recognition programs and, quite frankly, anything else that we do, that it ties people to our culture and we are constantly living by our core values: integrity, impact and teamwork.”
To that end, the organization moved its peer-to-peer recognition to an online platform, having previously focused on handwritten thank-you notes for employees.
“That’s really great because it helps us connect across the platform, regardless of where people are working or the times that they’re working,” she says.
More importantly, the recognition ties into CAAT’s values, so people choose which value is being recognized, such as integrity or teamwork, for each award. Giraldi says that the platform is great because it builds momentum and awareness, and enables other people to leave comments.
“We’re all connected so I can log in any day and see what’s happening, who’s getting recognized, what are some of the messages. And it’s really heartwarming when your colleague takes the time to send you a thank-you note to or recognize you on your anniversary by saying, ‘Thanks for all the contributions you’ve made.’”
The online program, Kudos, also includes quarterly awards if the organization meets its corporate objectives, along with long-service recognition at one, three or five years, followed by five-year intervals starting at the employee’s 10th anniversary.
“Prior to the pandemic, we were only recognizing 15-year milestones, but now we have much more frequent recognition awards because we want to celebrate people staying at CAAT and recognize the contributions that they bring to the organization. And that’s been really well received,” she says.