Strengthening Our Community Together: Our Partnership with the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals

At Sovereign, we believe that Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) is the foundation of who we are and how we act. It’s why we’re driven to collaborate with industry and community partners to amplify our collective efforts to drive positive change.

Now in our second year of partnership, we’re proud to stand with the Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals (CABIP). Together, we advocate for representation, inclusion and advancement of Black insurance professionals within the Canadian insurance industry.

To celebrate renewing our partnership, we reached out to Richard McGee, CABIP Co-founder and Chair of the Board of Directors to share CABIP’s perspective on why our relationship continues to matter and how we will continue to create impact together.

Q. For those who may not know your work, can you share a bit about CABIP and who you support?

A. The Canadian Association of Black Insurance Professionals (CABIP) was founded to advance the representation, development, and elevation of Black professionals across Canada’s insurance industry. As a national not-for-profit, we serve individuals at every career stage — from students and early career entrants to seasoned executives — while also supporting organizations seeking meaningful pathways to embed equitable and inclusive practices to address anti-Black racism. 

Our mission is grounded in advocacy, mentorship, education, and networking.  We strive to remove systemic barriers and create opportunities that reflect the rich diversity of our industry and the communities it serves. CABIP exists to support Black professionals while strengthening the industry by fostering workplaces where diverse perspectives are valued, empowered, and actively cultivated.

Q. How has this partnership with Sovereign Insurance supported your work in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion for Black professionals in the insurance industry?

A. Our partnership with Sovereign has been instrumental in expanding both the reach and impact of CABIP’s work. Through Sovereign’s commitment to evidence based inclusion — reinforced by its ROI of DEI study — we have been able to demonstrate the measurable value of equitable workplaces, further strengthening our advocacy efforts. 
Sovereign’s support has enabled CABIP to scale programming, enhance mentorship networks, and provide platforms that elevate Black talent across the industry. Their willingness to engage deeply, listen intentionally, and invest in long term change reflects a shared belief that diversity, equity and inclusion is not an initiative, but together, they are an organizational imperative. Through this partnership, we continue to advance a more inclusive insurance ecosystem where Black professionals can thrive and lead confidently.

Q. From your perspective, what role can partnerships like this play in creating more inclusive systems or environments?

A. Partnerships like ours with Sovereign play a transformative role in reshaping industry systems and culture. When organizations commit to shared learning and collective progress, they help shift inclusion from aspiration to action. Sovereign’s ROI of DEI research underscores that inclusion is not only morally essential but strategically advantageous — improving innovation, decision making, and organizational performance. 

By collaborating across institutions, we can challenge systemic inequities, broaden access to opportunities, and embed sustainable practices that benefit current and future generations of Black insurance professionals, and therefore propel the industry and customer experience. These partnerships serve as catalysts for industry wide accountability and create models that others can replicate.

Q. Can you share an example of an initiative or outcome that captures the impact of working together with Sovereign as a partner?

A. One approach that demonstrates our shared impact is the expanded professional development programming supported by Sovereign, which has strengthened CABIP’s capacity to deliver high value learning experiences.
 
Through this support, we have been able to host targeted workshops, leadership sessions, and networking forums designed to equip Black professionals with the tools and connections needed for advancement. The alignment with insights from the ROI of DEI study has further enabled us to position these initiatives as both socially necessary and organizationally beneficial. 

At the 2025 RIMS Canada Conference in Calgary, Sovereign sponsored the DEI Studio where we joined them for a discussion on the importance of diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry. This session provided a space for meaningful and critical discussion, which aligns with CABIP’s and Sovereign’s ongoing efforts. The result of these initiatives is a growing community of Black professionals who feel empowered, supported, and recognized by their industry.

Q. What shared values make the relationship strong between Sovereign and CABIP?

A. Continuing our partnership with Sovereign affirms a shared commitment to addressing Canada's history of systemic anti-Black racism through actions focused on equity, representation, and long term systemic change. 

What makes this collaboration so strong is our alignment in values — particularly the belief that inclusion must be intentional, measurable, and embedded in business strategy. Sovereign’s ongoing investment and their work on the ROI of DEI demonstrate an understanding that diversity strengthens organizations, elevates performance, and creates more resilient teams. 

For CABIP, the renewal of this partnership reinforces that we are not alone in this work; we have committed allies who understand the contributions of Black Insurance Professionals, championing their advancement and amplifying their voices. CABIP is an added value resource to partners, members, and individuals who wish to be on this journey with us.

Q. As you look ahead, where do you see the greatest opportunity for continued progress in inclusion and advancement of Black insurance professionals through this partnership?

A. Looking ahead, the greatest opportunity lies in scaling data driven, community informed initiatives that address gaps in representation and career mobility. With insights from Sovereign’s ROI of DEI research, we see potential to deepen organizational education, strengthen talent pipelines, and expand leadership development pathways for emerging Black professionals. 

Together, we can support more intentional hiring practices, broaden access to mentorship, and cultivate environments where Black professionals can grow into roles of increasing influence. By continuing to collaborate, we can accelerate progress and embed inclusion as a long term industry standard, not a moment in time.