iA Financial Group is making changes to its leadership team in response to Michael L. Stickney’s decision to retire in the coming months.
Stickney, who has served the company for 25 years, is leaving his position as executive vice president, chief growth officer for US operations, and co-head of acquisitions. His career with iA began in 1999 following the acquisition of Seaboard Life.
In the wake of Stickney’s upcoming retirement, Sean O’Brien, a current member of the executive committee, will take over as chief growth officer for the US. O’Brien, who joined iA in 2015, has nearly three decades of experience in the financial sector and has demonstrated strong leadership in previous roles including executive vice president of group benefits and retirement solutions.
His new role will encompass overseeing all aspects of iA’s operations in the US, including dealer services, individual insurance, and life insurance company and digital agency Vericity.
Denis Berthiaume, meanwhile, will assume full responsibility for acquisitions, a role he previously shared with Stickney. As the executive vice president for strategy, performance, mergers and acquisitions, Berthiaume will focus on driving shareholder value through strategic acquisitions.
Additionally, Louis-Philippe Pouliot was appointed executive vice president of group benefits and retirement solutions. Pouliot, who came on board in 2008, has progressed through various levels of leadership within the company, including roles in actuarial services and administration.
The leadership changes, including Pouliot becoming a member of the executive committee, will come into effect on May 29.
Denis Ricard, president and chief executive of iA, noted: “Mike Stickney has played a very important role in iA’s success over the past decades, and we are very grateful for his contribution. I wish him a very happy retirement.
“Sean O’Brien, who will succeed him, is a brilliant executive who stands out for his business acumen. He has a proven ability to generate both sales and profit growth in the various sectors he has managed. I would also like to congratulate Denis Berthiaume and Louis-Philippe Pouliot on their new responsibilities.”
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