Industry moves: Jeff Macoun to retire after four decades with Canada Life

Jeff Macoun, president and chief operating officer of Canada Life’s Canadian operations, will step down on Feb. 16, with Fabrice Morin moving into the role.

Morin, currently executive vice-president of individual wealth and insurance solutions with Canada Life, will take over Canada Life’s Canadian operations and join parent company Great-West Lifeco Inc.’s executive management committee. Morin joined Canada Life in 2019 from Power Corporation of Canada.

Macoun worked for more than 40 years at Canada Life and Great-West Lifeco, including more than five as president and COO. Shortly after he took on the role in late 2018, Great-West Lifeco announced that it was consolidating its three Canadian life insurance companies under the Canada Life brand, a process it completed in early 2020.

“I want to thank Jeff for his vision, passion and leadership,” Paul Mahon, president and chief executive officer of Great-West Lifeco and Canada Life, said in a release. “During a long and distinguished career, Jeff has made significant contributions across our Canadian business.”

Macoun grew up in Newmarket, Ont., and attended Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ont. — on a hockey scholarship — to study economics. After graduating in 1981, he began his career at London Life, which was acquired by Great-West Life in 1997.

Next month, Macoun will move into a senior advisory role to Morin before retiring later this year.

Women in Capital Markets names new president and CEO

Not-for-profit organization Women in Capital Markets (WCM) has a new chief executive.

Tanya van Biesen will take over as president and CEO on Jan. 29, where she’ll be responsible for the organization’s expansion and strategy, including a rebranding initiative, a WCM release said.

Van Biesen joins WCM from consulting firm Korn Ferry, where she has been a managing partner. She previously held senior positions at Catalyst Inc., a global non-profit organization that focuses on the advancement of women, and she was partner and co-leader of the financial services practice at leadership consulting firm Spencer Stuart.

“Tanya’s profound commitment to the advancement of women and other equity-deserving groups as a driver of economic growth and progress is not just a mission; it’s a lived value,” said WCM board chairwoman Giulia Cirillo in the release.

“This commitment, coupled with her extensive leadership experience in member engagement and operations, uniquely positions her to help propel our organization forward, and will have a tremendous positive impact on WCM and the community it serves.”

WCM’s previous head, Lara Zink, left the organization in September to become vice-president of client service and development with Delaney Capital Management. She had led WCM since February 2021.

Mary Vitug, former chair of WCM’s board, has been acting director since Zink’s departure.