We've launched our new GreenShield brand! Check out our new integrated health services site here

Skip to main content
""

Our Team

Here are the big shots

But they are actually quite approachable...get to know them.

The GSC Executive Team

As President and CEO, Zahid capitalizes on his 25 years of industry experience – an impressive history that includes high-profile executive positions at international firms and completing the Advanced Management program at Harvard Business School – to help to support GSC in the development of industry-leading initiatives that leave a positive mark on health benefits, and Canada as a whole.

Fun fact about Zahid:

Despite growing up in Montreal and living in Toronto, Zahid has somehow been a huge Vancouver Canucks fan since the 80s. Zero championships and counting…

Brent’s world revolves around service, service, and more service — he leaves nothing to chance while overseeing all aspects of the client experience from claims management to contact centre. He’s the real deal: he’s worked on both the carrier side of the business and the consulting side, so he gets what exceptional service delivery means from all perspectives.

Fun fact about Brent:

His best kept secret is that he’s from the east coast, but doesn’t like seafood (he's into claims, not clams). His guilty pleasure is that while on holiday he catches up on the hobbies he loves, like reviewing workplace health articles.

GSC’s emphasis on innovation and social responsibility aligns with Joe’s goal of doing meaningful work.…so what a perfect fit for GSC. His role is all about proactively identifying future needs and trends to develop new enterprise-wide strategies to positively impact GSC’s individual and public sector clients. With an impressive career spanning public and private sector organizations, he brings an impressive track record as a thought leader who also rolls up his sleeves to put vision into action.

Fun fact about Joe:

He is (unhealthily) obsessed with baseball. He can name every World Series winner since 1960 and can name the starting line-ups for the 1992 and 1993 Blue Jays...and probably their height and weight too. And...he still plays ball multiple times a week.

JP sets the tone for all aspects of our Insurance business, shaping our vision for serving and growing our Group and Individual client bases from coast to coast. With the ever-evolving industry landscape, his passion for innovation and high quality service ensures the GSC story continues to stand apart. Based in Halifax, JP has held numerous leadership roles while living and working across Canada.

Fun fact about JP:

When he isn’t working on the game plan with his GSC team, he’s cheering on his two other favourite teams – the Montreal Canadiens and New England Patriots. And, yes, it’s still too soon to ask him about Tom Brady’s retirement.

Scot is a man with a plan—many plans in fact as he is the strategic mind behind GSC’s financial and strategic planning activities. No decimal point escapes him as he oversees everything from financial forecasting and risk management to underwriting and business process development. Good thing he’s a Certified Professional Accountant.

Fun fact about Scot:

His pet peeve is typos. Like spelling his name ScotT.

At GSC, Mila takes the lead in helping us “optimize potential” and “create shared value”. She’s responsible for the corporate human resources function, so Talent Management (Recruitment, Performance, Succession Planning, Learning & Development), Total Rewards (Compensation, Pensions, Benefits), Health & Wellness (and Safety), and Labor Relations, as well as GSC’s social impact portfolio (like community partnerships and granting programs). Her extensive experience and great credentials – MBA, B.Comm, GPHR, CHRE – tell us she’s up for the challenge.

Fun fact about Mila:

Mila walked the Great Wall of China. Seriously, some people will do anything to get their Fitbit to buzz.

Anela is responsible for GSC’s vision for technology – one that imagines the needs of GSC’s current and future clients. With a background in driving enterprise transformation, incorporating digital, data analytics, and health and wellness, Anela’s holistic understanding of rapidly changing technology enables her to develop a forward-thinking roadmap that positions GSC and its stakeholders for success.

Fun fact about Anela:

Always up for a new challenge, she has dabbled in a variety of sports. Cycling and golf seem to have stuck, but she hasn’t quite figured out how to get her Peloton on the actual road and take her “A” golf game from the practice range to the course.

In line with GSC’s vision, Mark is highly skilled at identifying emerging clinical and business challenges and turning them into opportunities to develop unique pharmacy and patient care solutions that promote the health and well-being of plan members and Canadians overall. As a result, Mark’s strategic and operational leadership ensures GSC customers benefit from relevant and proactive pharmacy, formulary, and drug claims strategies that strengthen long-term satisfaction. As a seasoned innovator, his diverse background spans clinical services, pharmaceutical industry, and insurance roles.

Fun fact about Mark:

Mark describes himself as tall…and awkward. This combination has led to the very Canadian experience of tipping a canoe. This has been a Heritage Minute.

The GSC Board of Directors

Alan is an accomplished executive and recently retired as President and CEO of Morneau Shepell Inc. Alan has extensive directorship and business experience in the navigation and transformation, and governance of different ownership structures including private equity boards, publicly traded corporations, family business, trusts and REITS, and volunteer organizations. Alan is Chair of the Extendicare board of directors and also previously sat on several community based and not-for-profit boards including chairing Trillium Health Partners, AMREF Canada, and Appleby College. He holds a Bachelor of Science from McMaster University; an Advanced Management Program designation from Harvard Business School; and a Diploma in Health Administration from University of Toronto.

Zahid joined GSC as President and Chief Executive Officer in September 2018. Zahid has over 25 years of industry experience, and before joining GSC, he held a number of executive positions at various global firms. In addition to his role at GSC, Zahid actively volunteers in the community and sits on the Boards of the York Region Children’s Aid Society, where he also chairs the Governance Committee, and the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. Zahid is an actuary who has earned Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) designations. He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School. Zahid has been a GSC Board member since 2018.

Bertrand is the chairman and co-owner of Galenova Inc. and of Gentes & Bolduc, Pharmacists Inc. He has 25 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Bertrand is active on several boards including Prevtec Microbia inc., Angany Inc., and Sterinova Inc. of which he is a co-founder and shareholder. In 2014, Bertrand became interim President of l’Ordre des Pharmaciens du Quebéc (Québec’s College of Pharmacists) and he was elected in 2015 for a 4-year term. He holds an MBA from HEC Montréal Business School and a Bachelor in Pharmacy Degree from the University of Montreal and holds an Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) designation.

Jennifer is an experienced financial executive in the media, technology and alternative energy industries. She is currently the CFO of Northstar Gaming Inc. and formerly the CFO of Torstar. Jennifer is currently a Member of the Board and Chair of the Audit Committee of Black Press Limited, a Member of the Audit Committee of Canadian Press Enterprises Inc., a Member of Advisory Board for Sustainable Business, CPA Canada and was previously a Member of the Board of Sing Tao Canada. Jennifer holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce from McMaster University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant.

Aliya is an experienced pharmacist and entrepreneur working at the intersection of healthcare and technology. As co-founder of a virtual health care platform she is passionate about using digital tools to better manage patient care. Prior to moving into technology and digital health, she worked in community pharmacy in urban and rural settings and as General Manager for a large-scale packaging and distribution pharmacy in Alberta. Aliya is a respected member of the entrepreneurship ecosystem at the University of Waterloo and volunteers in various capacities as a start-up & entrepreneurship advisor and guest lecturer. She has also been actively involved in grassroots level organizations in the arts, government policy & relations and community-based quality of life initiatives. She holds a PharmD and a Masters in Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) from the University of Waterloo.

Pierre is the co-founder and chairman of Ingenew Pharmaceuticals Inc., Innovon Pharmaceuticals Inc. and of InvHealth Capital Inc. He has more than 35 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry. Pierre is also active on the board of Ortho Regenerative Technologies Inc. and Innodem Neurosciences Inc. Pierre is co-inventor on 17 patents and has co-authored over 120 publications and scientific presentations. Pierre has also been deeply involved with rare diseases and patients associations including the Quebec Autistic Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Alstrӧm Syndrome Foundation. He holds a Bachelor in Pharmacy Degree and a Master Degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Montreal.

Ken retired as National President of the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) union and General Vice President of Canadian Labour Congress and Member of Canadian Automotive Partnership Council in 2013. Throughout his tenure, he was responsible for negotiating and bargaining multiple collective agreements with major employees in Canada and led the successful merger of the Canadian Auto Workers Union and the Canadian Energy & Paper Union into the formation of Unifor. Ken is very active in his community, supporting organizations including: United Way, Easter Seals, University of Windsor, Canadian Mental Health and many other not-for-profit groups. In 2013, he received an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law from the University of Windsor.

Sharon has extensive experience in both the Life & Health and Property & Casualty insurance industries. Formerly Head, Insurance Investments Strategy at OMERS, she also previously served as President, Aviva Insurance Company of Canada and President & CEO of Swiss Re. In addition, Sharon has served on several boards including the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Canadian Life & Health Insurance Association, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, and Reinsurance Research Council. Sharon has actively volunteered for Junior Achievement of Canada and has held Treasurer and President and Chair of the Board positions for various non-profit organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto, is a Chartered Accountant/Chartered Professional Accountant and holds an Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD.D) designation.

Alice is an industry-recognized leader in award-winning digital innovations and a strategist in business transformation. She held senior executive roles within both the private and public sector enterprises, owning and driving the technology and innovation agenda at these organizations. She was a senior executive at Air Canada, National Bank of Canada, and most recently at Economical Insurance. She has also served as the Chief Operating Officer at eHealth Ontario and was the Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Information Officer for the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care as well as the Ministry of Health Promotion. Alice currently serves on the Board of Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital. In the past, Alice has served on the Boards of not-for-profit organizations which included Facility Association, Seneca College, Ontario MD and Sickkids’ Electronic Children’s Health Record Advisory Board. Alice holds a BA and MBA. She also holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. Alice has been recognized as an Elite Woman in the insurance sector in Canada as well as a Global Top 100 Insurance Executive.

Edward is Vice-President and Principal of Brighton Pharmacy Group in Woodstock, Ontario. Edward is an accomplished pharmacist and entrepreneur with a breadth of experience in retail pharmacy, benefits administration, and the pharmaceutical sector. A pioneering thinker and strategist, Edward has been at the forefront of business and governance innovation, in both Canada and the United States. He holds an MBA from Duke University; a Bachelor of Science, Pharmacy from the University Of Toronto and a Bachelor of Arts, Economics from McGill University.

Darrell served as Premier for the Government of Yukon from 2011-2016. While in office, Darrell also held positions as Minister of Executive Council Office, Finance Minister and Co-Chair of Canada’s Premiers Health Care Innovation Working Group. Darrell is a licensed pharmacist and has extensive retail pharmacy operational experience, including owning two Whitehorse based pharmacies. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy with Distinction from the University Saskatchewan and holds a pharmacist license in Yukon Territory.

Monique is the Secretary General of Université Laval and also serves as Lawyer and Head, Legal Department. She is a full professor at the Faculty of Pharmacy where she was Dean from 2001 to 2016. Monique’s teaching career at Université Laval started in 1995, and since then she has received several awards in recognition of her achievements in teaching and for her contribution to pharmacy. Monique started her career as an intensive care and emergency room nurse. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy and obtained her Doctor of Pharmacy Degree from University of Texas at Austin. She completed a Masters in Health Sciences Education at the Faculty of Medicine and a Law degree at Université Laval in Quebec City. She is a chartered director (ASC).