Zurich Canada has named Yvonne Steiner as head of the Canadian operation’s property unit.

Steiner joins Zurich Canada’s executive team, reporting to CEO Saad Mered. Her appointment takes effect April 15, a release said.

As leader of the property unit, Steiner will be responsible for managing first-party insurance portfolios, driving profitable underwriting results, encouraging innovation and developing talent management strategies. She leads a team of underwriters in commercial property, energy, construction and marine. Steiner will also work with other Zurich Canada executives to synchronize portfolio management, distribution management, risk services, and claims management.

She joins Zurich Canada from RSA, where she was head of global specialty lines in Canada.

Steiner has also held positions of increasing responsibility at Finning International and GCAN Insurance Company (previously known as Gerling Global), as well as Swiss Re. She spent 11 years at the Swiss firm, where she worked in the international market while based in Zurich and later moved to Canada to lead the property and energy team.

“We are very excited to have a leader of Yvonne’s calibre joining us,” Mered said in a statement. “As we continue on our transformation journey, her leadership and proven track record will be instrumental in helping us drive our strategies in the marketplace.”