Michael Chiwawa
Halifax,Canada
Summary
Strategic and solutions-focused Risk Management Professional with 7 years of experience spanning risk management, insurance, and financial services. Proven ability to lead incident response, conduct operational risk assessments, and implement scalable control frameworks in regulated industries. Recently served as Risk & Insurance Manager at Saint Mary’s University, where I drove institutional risk strategy, managed incidents, and strengthened organizational risk culture. Experienced in collaborating with Legal, Compliance, Risk Engineering, and external regulators to ensure readiness and minimize liability. Early career in banking (CIBC) provided a strong foundation in regulated environments, customer harm mitigation, and operational controls. Known for cross-functional influence, analytical thinking, and clear communication that enables organizations to navigate complexity with confidence.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Property & Casualty Commercial Underwriter
Sovereign Insurance
Halifax, Canada
04.2024 - Current
- Underwrite and evaluate complex risks, ensuring alignment with risk appetite, regulatory standards, and operational controls.
- Partner with Risk Control Specialists to assess exposures, design mitigation strategies, and drive control improvements for clients.
- Provide data-driven analysis and risk reporting to leadership, influencing portfolio decisions and underwriting strategy.
Risk & Insurance Manager
Saint Mary’s University
Halifax, Canada
04.2023 - 04.2024
- Led incident and issue management, including triage, investigations, and claims, ensuring rapid response and liability mitigation.
- Conducted control testing, hazard inspections, and risk assessments to evaluate effectiveness of operational safeguards.
- Collaborated with CURIE, legal advisors, and compliance experts to ensure institutional readiness and regulatory compliance.
- Designed and delivered risk training programs for faculty, staff, and students, strengthening organizational risk awareness.
- Produced concise risk reports for executive leadership, guiding strategic decision-making.
Associate Broker
Aon
Halifax, Canada
08.2022 - 04.2023
- Supported mid-market and large client programs by conducting risk assessments, benchmarking, and claims analysis.
- Negotiated renewals and advised on coverage structures, aligning recommendations with risk profiles and regulatory considerations.
Broking Analyst / Data & Analytics Specialist / Account Coordinator
Aon
Halifax, Canada
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Designed benchmarking and incident analysis templates that improved risk visibility and reduced error rates.
- Acted as subject matter expert, training staff on risk systems and compliance processes.
- Delivered insights on systemic risk trends to account executives and branch managers.
Financial Services Representative
CIBC
Halifax, Canada
05.2017 - 01.2019
- Operated within a regulated banking environment, ensuring strict adherence to compliance and operational controls.
- Maintained 100% procedural accuracy on transactions and complex banking processes, preventing customer harm.
- Recognized with multiple awards for customer service, risk awareness, and operational excellence.
Education
Bachelor of Commerce - Management
Saint Mary’s University
Halifax, NSRisk Management Certificate -
Insurance Institute of Canada
Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) -
Insurance Institute of Canada
Skills
- Incident & Issue Management
- Operational Risk Assessments
- Control Testing
- Regulatory Compliance
- Reporting
- Cross-Functional Stakeholder Engagement
- Risk Framework Design
- Process Automation
- Data Analysis
- Risk Visibility Tools
- Training
- Risk Culture Development
Timeline
Property & Casualty Commercial Underwriter
Sovereign Insurance
04.2024 - Current
Risk & Insurance Manager
Saint Mary’s University
04.2023 - 04.2024
Associate Broker
Aon
08.2022 - 04.2023
Broking Analyst / Data & Analytics Specialist / Account Coordinator
Aon
01.2019 - 01.2022
Financial Services Representative
CIBC
05.2017 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Commerce - Management
Saint Mary’s University
Risk Management Certificate -
Insurance Institute of Canada
Chartered Insurance Professional (CIP) -
Insurance Institute of Canada