RIMS, the risk management society, announced the death of Susan Meltzer, a prominent figure in the risk management sector. Meltzer was recognised for her leadership and contributions to the profession, both in Canada and internationally.
To commemorate Meltzer’s legacy, RIMS The Foundation for Risk Management has established the Susan Meltzer Scholarship Fund. The fund aims to support one Canadian risk professional annually to attend the RIMS Canada Conference.
The foundation has set a fundraising goal of $40,000, with RIMS contributing an initial $10,000 to launch the effort.
RIMS president Kristen Peed described Meltzer as a significant force within the organisation and the wider risk management community.
“Her impact on the profession was far-reaching, and it was evident at the conference just how many of today’s risk leaders were touched and inspired by her generosity.” Peed also reflected on Meltzer’s recent induction into the RIMS Risk Management Hall of Fame and the presence of her family and friends at the event.
Valerie Barber, chair of the RIMS Canada Council, said that Meltzer “will forever be remembered as a Canadian risk management icon.” Barber noted Meltzer’s influence on the industry, particularly her efforts to promote innovation and collaboration.
Barber also acknowledged Meltzer’s role as a mentor to women in the insurance and risk management fields, noting that she was “one of just a few prominent Canadian female leaders in the industry” during her early career.
Meltzer’s professional background included serving as RIMS Global President from 1999 to 2000 and as president of the International Federation of Insurance and Risk Management Associations from 2004 to 2008. She also held positions on the CIP Society Council and the Graduate Society of the Insurance Institute of Canada.
A graduate of Carleton University, Meltzer began her career at Morris and Mackenzie Insurance Brokers. She later held risk management roles at Bell Canada, SunLife Financial, and Aviva Canada. At Aviva, she was responsible for enterprise risk management across North America and retired as vice president, risk, in June 2019.
Meltzer also contributed to education in the field, teaching Canadian Risk Management Certificate courses at the University of Toronto and participating in the Spencer Educational Foundation’s Risk Manager in Residence program at universities in Canada and the U.S.
Her accolades included being named a Business Insurance Women to Watch honoree in 2006, receiving the Donald M. Stuart Award in 2001, the Harry and Dorothy Goodell Award in 2004, and her induction into the RIMS Risk Management Hall of Fame in 2025.
In 2024, the Ontario chapter of RIMS renamed its Top CRM Graduate Award to the Susan Meltzer Award in recognition of her service to the profession.
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