iA Financial Corporation Inc. has strengthened its board with the appointments of Johanne Papillon and Yousry Bissada, effective Sept. 23, 2025.
Papillon brings more than 25 years of financial services and actuarial experience, most recently serving as senior vice-president for IFRS 17/9 business and financial implications at Sun Life Financial. In that role, she oversaw the implementation of new global accounting standards, a transition that continues to reshape financial reporting for Canadian insurers. She also previously held senior leadership roles in global asset-liability amnagement and actuarial functions at Sun Life and earlier built her career at Manulife and Mercer.
Bissada, meanwhile, adds significant experience in financial institution leadership and digital transformation. He was president and CEO of Home Trust and Home Bank from 2017 until this year, guiding the lender through a turnaround and subsequent growth period. Prior to that, he led fintech and mortgage technology firms Kanetix Ltd. and Filogix Inc., giving him deep exposure to financial product distribution and digital innovation.
With their recent appointments, iA's board now totals 15 directors, 14 of whom are independent. Nearly half of the board are women, reflecting broader governance trends across the financial services and insurance sectors, where diversity and independence remain key priorities.
Other Canadian insurers have made similar board-level moves in recent years, often tied to regulatory change and digital modernization. Sun Life and Manulife, for example, have added directors with deep IFRS 17 expertise and technology backgrounds to help guide their transitions under the new standards. Great-West Lifeco has also emphasized digital transformation and risk oversight in its board refreshes, reflecting the industry-wide push to integrate technology into distribution and policyholder engagement while maintaining strict governance.
Chair Jacques Martin said the expanded board will support iA’s long-term strategy as the insurer navigates an evolving landscape shaped by regulatory change, technology adoption, and shifting consumer expectations.
