Melanie Jeannotte
Fernie,BC
Summary
A proven leader in business transformation, I spearheaded Gallagher Benefit Services' Canadian growth to $100 million, integrating over a dozen acquisitions. Recognized with the Insurance Business Canada Women of Distinction Award, my strategic vision and exceptional team-building skills have consistently driven market expansion and operational efficiency, showcasing my expertise in financial leadership and corporate network building.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Executive Officer
Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc.
02.2019 - 05.2023
- Grew the Cyanadian division of Gallagher from $8 million revenue to $100 million, employing 450 employees and consultants
- Drove positive organic, M&A, and EBITDA growth during tenure, including the two years of COVID restrictions and lockdown.
- Sourced, closed, and successfully integrated over a dozen acquisitions. Led and oversaw operations and strategic initiatives across 21 offices, with a remote-based executive team stationed across the country.
- Led and oversaw operations and strategic initiatives across 21 offices with a remote-based executive team stationed across the country.
- Worked with a US head office, with experience reporting to a global board regarding international updates, mergers and acquisitions and strategic direction ($70+ billion market cap globally).
- Services delivered included: benefits, retirement and pension, communication, compensation, talent management, disability management, human resources, and individual insurance and wealth solutions.
- Regular conference, industry and media speaker and spokesperson
- Insurance Business Canada Women of Distinction Award (2020)
Area President, Western Canada
Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc.
05.2015 - 01.2019
- Led the Gallagher Benefits Services teams in Western Canada
- Responsible for organic growth, productivity & quality, culture and mergers & acquisitions
- Maximized organic growth and led Calgary team to divisional and global branch of the year recognition
President
Vital Benefits Inc.
10.2006 - 05.2015
- Co-founded Vital Benefits Inc., a full-service benefits, retirement, and HR consulting firm, with a focus on service-oriented and tech-integrated solutions.
- Grew the company over nine years to be one of Western Canada’s premier consulting firms, starting from the ground up and growing to hundreds of corporate clients and thousands of individual clients.
- I represented the company as a speaker and expert at industry events, conferences, and public engagements.
- Acknowledged as Top 40 Under 40 by Avenue Magazine in 2012 and twice nominated as one of Canada's 100 Most Influential Women
- The business was successfully sold to Arthur J. Gallagher in May 2015.
Partner
Hamilton & Partners
10.2005 - 10.2006
- Built and executed a sales and marketing strategy to drive the sale of health and well-being insurance solutions.
- Built and cultivated long-term relationships with clients and vendors through consistent communication efforts.
- Recruited and managed a personal business block team.
- Participated in and spoke at industry-related meetings and conferences in order to stay up-to-date on current trends within the field.
Wholesale Manager
Manulife Financial Services
12.2003 - 09.2005
- Navigated two acquisitions of the health and dental business line while growing product sales among brokerages in Western Canada.
- Achieved top national wholesaler recognition multiple years running.
- Implemented promotional activities such as marketing campaigns, trade shows, and events to drive revenue growth.
- Maintained information databases related to products and service availability, capabilities and lead times.
- Organized and prioritized projects.
Search Consultant
Randstad Canada
01.2001 - 11.2003
- Led the industrial staffing division and executed a cold call campaign to secure client meetings and search orders.
- Grew the industrial division's revenue by 70% during my tenure.
- Developed and implemented search strategies to identify qualified candidates for open positions.
Wildland Rappel Firefighter
Alberta Forestry Services
05.1993 - 10.2000
- Among the first women to serve as a member and then leader of elite mobile rappel firefighting crews.
- Developed, staffed, and trained teams for a Type II firefighting program that deployed best-in-class sustained action crews to large fires throughout the province.
- I worked in Australia as part of an initial attack wildland firefighting crew and acted as an air boss on large burns.
- Supported hotshot firefighting efforts in the Western United States during periods of emergency, within peak fire seasons.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Political Science And Government
University of Calgary
CalgarySkills
- Culture and well-being focused leadership
- Strategic business planning and execution
- Organic growth goal setting and delivery
- Market access, penetration, and expansion
- Building and managing corporate, government, not-for-profit networks, and partnerships
- Financial leadership in public and private environments
- Data-driven decision making
- Operating model development, process improvements, and digital transformation
- Human resources management and shareholder accountability
- Recruiting and hiring of top talent
Affiliations
Vital Women, Co-created a networking group to support women in the business community and raise money for worthy causes
Boardexperience
Human Resources Association of Calgary, 01/01/08, 01/01/10, 2 yrs.
Sportinvolvement
- Life long recreational athlete
- Wrestled as a member of the University of Calgary varsity team – one of the first women to do so
- Recent Nordic Race Team parent who has been learning to ski and compete at local Master’s Races
Professionalrecognitions
- Insurance Business Canada Women of Distinction Award (2020)
- 40 Under 40, Avenue Calgary (2012)
Timeline
Chief Executive Officer
Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc.
02.2019 - 05.2023
Area President, Western Canada
Gallagher Benefit Services (Canada) Group Inc.
05.2015 - 01.2019
President
Vital Benefits Inc.
10.2006 - 05.2015
Partner
Hamilton & Partners
10.2005 - 10.2006
Wholesale Manager
Manulife Financial Services
12.2003 - 09.2005
Search Consultant
Randstad Canada
01.2001 - 11.2003
Wildland Rappel Firefighter
Alberta Forestry Services
05.1993 - 10.2000
Some College (No Degree) - Political Science And Government
University of Calgary
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