The Canadian insurance industry is starting to promote more women to top jobs, according to Sandra Henkel, vice president of strategic initiatives for Trisura Guarantee.
Henkel, who was honored in the Insurance Business Women in Influence list, says that woman actually outnumber men in the insurance industry.
“At least over 60% of employees in insurance are women. So, that's very different from fields like STEM where there's a much lower percentage of women in the overall workforce” she said.
She says that the issue is that while there are numerous qualified women in junior and mid-level roles, they’re not being promoted at the same pace as their male counterparts.
“Even up to that middle management level, it's still pretty equal. But then, of course, when you get to the top ranks, the funnel starts thinning out a bit. And then when you get to the board positions, that's even getting smaller and smaller” said Henkel.
But times are changing, with some very accomplished and high profile women rising to the top of their companies.
“There’s a wind of change in the industry” she said.
While we're still a long way away from gender equality and diversity at senior levels, Henkel says we’re moving in the right direction.
“It's certainly as bad as it has been” she said.
