Shows
Life AcceleratedBalancing Innovation and Risk in Insurance AI with Darwin Larrison and Amanda TurcotteIn this episode, host Olivier Lafontaine speaks with Amanda Turcotte, SVP and Chief Actuary at Amalgamated Life Insurance Company, and Darwin Larrison, VP and Chief Information Security Officer at Modern Woodmen of America, about how their teams are navigating the changing landscape of artificial intelligence in life insurance. Amanda shares how her company is applying tools like Amazon Q and Intelligent Document Processing to streamline customer support and data handling. Darwin explains how governance frameworks, vendor partnerships, and licensing decisions are shaping how AI tools like Copilot are being deployed securely and responsibly. Throughout the...
2025-08-1346 minLife AcceleratedStandardizing Life Insurance for the Digital Age with Yolanda AustinIn this episode, host Olivier Lafontaine sits down with Yolanda Austin, Senior Director of the Life & Annuity Program at ACORD, to talk about the organization’s role in building smarter, standardized systems for life insurance. Yolanda breaks down how ACORD is addressing inefficiencies in medical underwriting by creating digital formats for electronic health records. She also walks through the work behind ACORD’s standardized life insurance application, which was developed with input from distributors, carriers, and the Interstate Insurance Compact. And now, it is being adopted across the industry. As the conversation unfolds, it’s clear...
2025-07-0930 minLife AcceleratedInside MetLife’s New Strategy for Tech and Operations with Bill PappasIn this episode, host Olivier Lafontaine speaks with Bill Pappas, EVP and Head of Global Technology and Operations at MetLife, about how MetLife is operationalizing transformation at scale, and what that means for the future of the life insurance sector. Bill outlines the pillars of MetLife’s new enterprise strategy, New Frontier, and walks through the company’s investment in simplifying infrastructure, reengineering customer journeys, and implementing their own AI platform that combines generative, agentic, and classical AI. Bill also discusses how MetLife is approaching data readiness, from governance and engineering to responsible use. But asid...
2025-06-1141 minLife AcceleratedModernizing Annuity Distribution with Joe Maringer, MassMutual Ascend In this episode of Life Accelerated, host Olivier LaFontaine welcomes Joe Maringer, SVP and National Sales Manager at MassMutual Ascend to explore how annuity distribution is being reshaped by digital transformation and shifting market dynamics. Joe discusses how MassMutual Ascend is adapting to today's market by investing in technology to streamline advisor workflows, simplify purchases, and enhance in-force management. He shares insights from overcoming operational challenges during a rebrand and improving customer experience. Joe also highlights the role of AI and predictive analytics in enabling faster customer authentication, smarter call routing, and proactive service models. ...
2025-05-1445 minLife AcceleratedLeading Change in Underwriting with Andrew Kramer, M Financial GroupIn this episode of Life Accelerated, host Olivier LaFontaine sits down with Andrew Kramer, VP and Head of Underwriting Risk & Innovation of M Financial Group, to discuss how innovation is reshaping underwriting and risk management in life insurance. Andrew breaks down the innovative steps M Financial Group is taking to streamline underwriting processes, from embracing electronic health records to championing industry-wide data standardization. He shares how the company is tackling the challenges of high-net-worth insurance, balancing risk-sharing with the need for personalized service. This conversation provides insights into how digital transformation is reshaping customer experiences and creating...
2025-04-0935 minLife AcceleratedBuilding a Future-Ready Insurer with Michael New, ClearViewIn this episode of Life Accelerated, host Olivier LaFontaine sits down with Michael New, Chief Technology Officer at ClearView, to explore the realities of large-scale digital transformation in life insurance. Michael shares his experiences leading ClearView’s migration to a modern policy admin platform, tackling legacy system challenges, and ensuring data readiness for a seamless transition. As an ultra-marathon runner, he draws compelling parallels between endurance sports and the long, strategic journey of digital modernization. From navigating data complexities to redefining the advisor experience, this conversation highlights the patience, precision, and leadership required to build a future-ready ins...
2025-03-1238 min
AM Best AudioUCT’s Allee: Survey Shows Life Insurers See Data as Key Hurdle Amid AI ChallengesMike Allee, president, Universal Conversion Technologies, discusses a recent joint report by LIMRA, Equisoft and UCT showing that 66% of U.S. life insurers and 46% globally are not prepared for AI implementation.
2025-01-2911 min
AM Best Audio PodcastUCT’s Allee: Survey Shows Life Insurers See Data as Key Hurdle Amid AI ChallengesMike Allee, president, Universal Conversion Technologies, discusses a recent joint report by LIMRA, Equisoft and UCT showing that 66% of U.S. life insurers and 46% globally are not prepared for AI implementation.
2025-01-2911 minLife AcceleratedMeet the New Host of Life Accelerated, Olivier LafontaineIn this episode of Life Accelerated, host Anthony O’Donnell introduces Olivier Lafontaine, Equisoft’s Chief Product Officer, as the new host of the podcast. Olivier shares his perspective on the unique challenges facing life insurance carriers, from navigating 20-year transformation timelines to achieving vendor independence and embracing generative AI. He highlights how low-code/no-code solutions and modernizing legacy systems play a pivotal role in helping carriers adapt to market shifts and regulatory changes while maintaining long-term operational stability. Listeners will hear Olivier’s vision for the future of Life Accelerated and his thoughts on emergin...
2025-01-1510 minLife AcceleratedAI, CX, and the Insurance Revolution: Insights from Industry Leaders with Anthony O’DonnellIn this special episode of Life Accelerated, host Anthony O'Donnell revisits thought-provoking conversations with some of the most influential leaders in the life insurance industry during 2024. These discussions delve into the accelerating pace of technological change and its profound impact on customer expectations, operational efficiency, and employee engagement. Through these dialogues, the episode examines how insurers are redefining traditional practices to address the shifting demands of the industry while staying true to their core mission of supporting policyholders and their families. Featured voices such as Dora Clements of Unum, Mike Mead of CNO Financial Group, and others...
2024-12-1109 minLife AcceleratedRevolutionizing Insurance Operations with AI with Karen Leggett, ManulifeIn this episode of Life Accelerated, host Anthony O’Donnell sits down with Karen Leggett, Global Chief Marketing Officer at Manulife, for an insightful look into how AI and digital transformation are reshaping the insurance landscape. With a rich background spanning top leadership roles in banking and insurance, Karen shares how she’s leading a customer-centric revolution, integrating AI, advanced analytics, and innovative technology to enhance customer experiences and streamline operations. Karen discusses Manulife's strategic approach to AI, sharing transformative projects like their internal AI tool, Chat MFC, which empowers employees across the organization to embr...
2024-11-1332 minLife AcceleratedUnlocking the Potential of AI for Life Insurance Leaders with Richard Wiedenbeck, AmeritasIn this episode of Life Accelerated, host Anthony O’Donnell brings you an illuminating conversation with Richard Wiedenbeck, Chief AI Officer at Ameritas. With a wealth of experience in the life insurance and technology sectors, Richard has seamlessly transitioned from his role as CIO to his pioneering position as Chief AI Officer. This title alone signifies Ameritas's progressive strides in adopting artificial intelligence. Richard's background makes him an authoritative voice in discussing the digital transformation landscape within the life insurance industry. This episode offers a deep dive into how Ameritas is leveraging AI to enhance ope...
2024-10-0927 minLife AcceleratedPromoting Long, Healthy Lives Through Digital Transformation with Jean Olive, John HancockHost Anthony O'Donnell sits down with Jean Olive, CIO of John Hancock, to discuss the company's impressive journey towards digital transformation and its focus on enhancing customer experience. Jean shares her engineering background and diverse industry experience, discussing John Hancock’s mission to promote long, healthy lives through innovative initiatives like vitality behavioral insurance. The discussion covers the significant role of AI and data-driven strategies in revolutionizing underwriting, sales applications, and overall customer satisfaction. In this episode, listen to how John Hancock is embedding AI into its applications, establishing a data lake to improve data gov...
2024-09-1131 minLife AcceleratedStaying Customer Focused in Digital Transformation with Niki Manby, Mutual of OmahaHost Anthony O'Donnell welcomes Niki Manby, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Mutual of Omaha to share the remarkable journey of the company’s digital transformation that has boosted the success of the company. Niki shares her extensive experience in financial services and fintech, showcasing how she's driving change and ensuring the company remains competitive and customer-focused. They explore the unique challenges of the insurance sector, the impact of agile methodologies, and the potential of emerging technologies such as AI to revolutionize the industry. In this episode, you’ll hear insights from Ni...
2024-08-1422 minLife AcceleratedConnectivity Initiatives That Create Seamless Digital Integration with Dora Clements, UnumGreat leaders in digital innovation often start their journey in diverse fields. Dora Clements is an exceptional leader at Unum whose impressive journey from entertainment law to overseeing transformative initiatives at the 175-year-old company is a testament to the potential for multidisciplinary approaches in driving organizational change. Host Anthony O’Donnell speaks with Dora, the Senior Vice President of Transformation, in this episode about how Unum is leveraging digital technologies to transform its operations, enhance customer experiences, and stay competitive in the ever-evolving life insurance industry. With an extensive operational strategy and technology integration background, Dora brings a...
2024-07-1026 minLife AcceleratedSimplifying Life Insurance Through Digital Transformation with Nick Rohan and Kevin Cummer, TruStageHost Anthony O'Donnell welcomes back Kevin Cummer, Director of Life Products, and Nick Rohan, Director of Partner Management at TruStage Insurance to share the remarkable journey of TruStage’s digital transformation, which has not only redefined their brand but also set new benchmarks in the insurance industry. Kevin and Nick take us through the evolution of TruStage, from its roots as CUNA Mutual Group, primarily serving credit unions, to its current position as a major player in the direct-to-consumer insurance market. They discuss the strategic rebranding of TruStage and how it has unified its offerings under a si...
2024-06-1225 minLife AcceleratedEnhancing Engagement with Personalized Insights and Database Experiences with Jessica Austin Barker, CXO at TIAAJessica Austin Barker, TIAA's Chief Digital and Client Experience Officer, sits down with host Anthony O’Donnell for this latest episode of Life Accelerated. Jessica’s acumen, honed through her tenure at Intuit and now as a leader at TIAA, is steering the financial institution toward new horizons of client engagement. Jessica brings a profound understanding of the complexities in the financial and retirement planning sectors and a commitment to bridging innovative digital strategy with a personal touch vital to these industries. The episode guides listeners through TIAA's emphasis on capability building, the responsible implementation of AI, and...
2024-05-0827 min
SaaSpasseEp.82 - Matt Lessard : Gagner la (shipping) gameAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec Matt Lessard, fondateur chez BusterFetcher, une app d’optimisation du shipping pour les marchands e-comm.
BusterFetcher c’est >1100 clients récurrents, ~10aine d’employés, 100% croissance YoY, le tout bootstrapped, avec quelques subventions ici et là.
On couvre son parcours entrepreneurial diversifié, de l’informatique au e-commerce, en passant par la photographie professionnelle.
Ensuite on creuse sur BusterFetcher, i.e. :
Dogfooding (un méchant bel exemple)
Risque de plateforme
Vision de construction produit saine & incrémentale
Possibilités d’exit
Évolution de l’acquisition client, incluant des as...
2024-04-181h 20Life AcceleratedCultivating High-Performing Teams Through People-Centric Strategies with Mike Mead, CIO at CNO Financial GroupHost Anthony O’Donnell is joined by Mike Mead, the Chief Information Officer of CNO Financial Group, in this episode of Life Accelerated. With over 25 years of experience in the insurance and technology industry, Mike has been instrumental in digital transformation initiatives, enabling CNO to adapt and thrive in the rapidly evolving landscape of life insurance and financial services. Mike shares valuable insights into the role of technology in reshaping the customer experience, streamlining operations, and propelling business growth. The episode delves into CNO's innovative approach to digital transformation, from the intricacies of modernizing customer website tools to...
2024-04-1022 minLife AcceleratedPractical Insights and Strategies from 5 Life Insurance Technology LeadersIn this episode of Life Accelerated, host Anthony O’Donnell revisits some conversations from the past year all about practical approaches to digital transformation. He highlights ideas and insights from five visionaries in the life insurance industry — Santhosh Keshavan of Voya, Jeff Donaldson at Mutual of America, Deb Waters at Aegon, Ryan Downing at Principal Financial Group, and Bill Pappas with MetLife. As the industry continues to evolve rapidly, these experts bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table, shedding light on the challenges of modernizing infrastructure, reshaping customer experiences, and aligning technology with an organ...
2024-03-1314 minLife AcceleratedA Practical Approach to Digital Transformation with Jennifer King, VP of Customer Experience at Boston MutualSince the late 1800s, Boston Mutual Life Insurance has transitioned from a service-focused to a customer-care-driven team, emphasizing the importance of balancing technology and human touch in the digital transformation journey. Jennifer King, Vice President of Customer Experience at Boston Mutual, is at the helm of Boston Mutual's digital transformation effort. She speaks with Life Accelerated about how she has spearheaded the alignment of technology, customer experience, and operational excellence in the life insurance industry. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to accelerate their organization's journey toward a digital future.
2024-02-1424 minSaaSpasseEp.68 - Jimmy Plante : Exit à 8 chiffres & continuer le jeu sans repartir à 0Aujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec Jimmy Plante, CEO chez Folks, un logiciel RH pour PME de Québec ~3M ARR.
First, on couvre le scaling de sa business de produit & service précédente — BIM Track & BIM One — qu’ils ont monté > 100 employés & > 10M revenus avant de vendre en 2021 à un acheteur stratégique.
Jimmy raconte aussi en détails son earnout, son départ, et le deuil inévitable qui s’ensuit.
Pour finir, on explore pourquoi Jimmy a choisi de prendre la tête de Folks RH vs. lancer quelque chose from scratch. O...
2024-01-111h 15Life AcceleratedFostering Human-Centric Innovation Through Data Transformation with Paula Bartgis, Chief Information Officer, Sun Life U.S.After 150 years in the business, Sun Life U.S. has developed a keen digital strategy that integrates technology and business operations while boosting client engagement and revitalizing its approach to healthcare connectivity, benefits management, and client satisfaction. Paula Bartgis, Chief Information Officer at Sun Life U.S., is leading the company in this transformation and joins Life Accelerated to discuss developing the Sun Life Onboard platform and leveraging AI in call centers to digitally overhaul the life insurance sector. Listen in to learn how Paula Bargis and Sun Life U.S. are demystifying the process...
2024-01-1033 minLife AcceleratedStrengthen Customer Engagement through Digital Transformation with Susan P. Roberts, Head of Strategy and Transformation at John HancockJohn Hancock holds a distinguished position in the wealth and asset management space and offers a range of life insurance products exclusively through intermediaries. With over 160 years of experience, John Hancock is committed to delivering products that are easy to buy and enjoyable to own. Susan P. Roberts, the Head of Strategy and Transformation at John Hancock, joined the Life Accelerated podcast to discuss the digital journey of John Hancock and the pivotal role digitalization plays in shaping the life insurance industry. Through the lens of behavioral insurance, Susan shares how digital transformation is redefining the insurer-policyholder...
2023-12-1325 min
The Insurance PodcastInsuretech Connect 2023 Ep. 1 AI Powered Data: convergence for UX & CX?Insuretech Connect is arguably the biggest insurance event every year and for once the attendees almost all expected the same theme, generative AI, and the conference delivered. In the first of 2 episodes profiling the event hear from Lexis Nexis, Planck, Carpe Data, Equisoft, Akur8, Clara Analytics, and John Hancock discuss how they are using data to drive a better user experience, customer experience, and improve processes for the industry. Data has been around for a long time but this year was a real glimpse at where the future may be and how insurance professionals could be using it.
2023-11-221h 01SaaSpasseEp.59 - (LIVE) François Levasseur : Valorisations SaaS + M&AAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec François Levasseur, Vice Président, Global Alliances & Acquisitions chez Equisoft.
Vous le savez, j’ai pas fermé ma trape à propos de l’acquisition de Snipcart par Duda en 2021. Mais c’est loin d’être la seule acquisition intéressante du Québec : PasswordBox, Kronos, Didacte, Poka, BIM Track, Dialogue, Breathe Life, et plusieurs autres sont passés par là. On me pose souvent des questions sur les M&A, et contrairement à moi qui a des histoires anecdotiques, François Levasseur baigne là-dedans à longueur d’année — il a géré des douzaines de dea...
2023-11-091h 33Life AcceleratedInnovating Insurance to Empower Families with Fred Tavan, SVP and Chief Pricing Officer of Legal & General America Legal & General America is one of the nation's strongest life insurers, ranked number two for term life insurance providers in the US. Their sole focus is to safeguard families' financial well-being — and it has been for more than 70 years. Fred Tavan, SVP and Chief Pricing Officer at Legal & General America joined the Life Accelerated podcast to share the importance of constantly reinventing yourself to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world, Legal & General America’s mission to offer good value life insurance coverage to as many US families as possible, the importance of embracing innovation and an omnic...
2023-11-0827 min
The Advice ShowFCA needs to step up to make transfers quickerWhy is it taking so long to transfer off a platform? Jack Gilbert, editor of New Model Adviser, and Victoria Bell, senior reporter, talk to Howard Finnegan, director of product sales at Equisoft, about the challenges when transferring assets and how the regulator can tackle the problem.
2023-11-0728 minSaaSpasseEp.52 - Pussycat hijack: déléguer vs. exécuterAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec mon ami et co-hôte Antoine Meunier, head of product & design chez Blissbook.
Épisode spécial aujourd’hui — c’est producer Ludo qui nous a lancé un sujet surprise en début d’enregistrement. Donc si vous n’avez jamais vu ou entendu The Real Pussycat, c’est votre chance sur cet épisode.
On discute de déléguer vs. exécuter en SaaS. Les avantages, réflexes, et habitudes qu’Antoine et moi on a développés à travers 10ans+ d’expérience en startup.
On répond aussi à des question...
2023-10-161h 08SaaSpasseEp.51 - Nectar Economakis : MTL, AI, financement SaaSAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec Nectarios Economakis, partenaire chez Amiral Ventures, une firme VC de Montréal.
On discute de son parcours entrepreneurial dans la scène tech de Montréal, qui passe de Google à The PNR, une firme de consulting réputée, jusqu’à Amiral Venture aujourd’hui.
On touche sur :
Les cycles de croissance et d’investissement dans une startup
Les green et red flags dans une décision d’investir en SaaS
La notion de “deal flow” en VC
Le hype crypto, maintenant AI
La communauté tech de Montréal
Le podcasting...
2023-10-121h 06Life AcceleratedRevolutionizing the Life Insurance Sales Experience with Hector Martinez, Head of Life Insurance at EquitableEquitable is a financial service company with a legacy of helping people look forward with courage, strength, and wisdom. This company has established itself as a leading provider of financial advice, protection, and retirement strategies, with 2.8 million clients nationwide. Hector Martinez, Head of Life Insurance at Equitable, joined the Life Accelerated podcast to share why the life insurance industry needs to adapt and improve its processes to meet the changing expectations of consumers. Hector also discusses how technology, such as AI, can play a crucial role in streamlining underwriting and freeing up underwriters' time to focus on...
2023-10-1128 minSaaSpasseEp.50 - François-Xavier Ratté : De SaaS à MarsAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec François-Xavier Ratté, fondateur chez Bloc Solutions, un SaaS pour les gestionnaires immobiliers.
On commence par explorer le parcours entrepreneurial de FX, et comment ses premières businesses ont inspiré Bloc Solutions.
On touche aussi sur :
Lancer un SaaS sans être fondateur tech
Valider un problème et un marché
Financer son SaaS et l’impact sur son cap table
Miser sur le “land & expand”
Naviguer la pandémie dans le milieu immobilier
Passer aux Dragons
Ah, et FX nous partage sa vision all-in ambitieuse de financer une...
2023-10-051h 04SaaSpasseEp.49 - PadawansAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec mon ami et co-hôte Antoine Meunier, head of product & design chez Blissbook.
On discute des padawans en SaaS, i.e. les juniors à haut potentiel qui entrent dans l’industrie.
Je commence avec une histoire vraie, d’un padawan qui m’a approché récemment.
Je raconte ce qu’il a fait de bien, ce qu’il aurait pu faire de mieux. Ensuite, on donne un paquet d’exemples sur comment approcher des employeurs et mentors potentiels quand tu commences. On explique comment se démarquer, comment ra...
2023-10-0256 minSaaSpasseEp.48 - (LIVE) Guillaume Roy : le futur de WorkleapAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec Guillaume Roy, co-fondateur & Head of Product chez Workleap, précédemment GSoft.
On discute de :
L’histoire de GSoft et leur émancipation du service
Les motivations stratégiques derrière le rebranding à Workleap
L’arrivée d’un nouveau président, Martin Gourdeau
Les changements suivant la levée de 125M de la Caisse de dépôt et de placement du Québec
La croissance par acquisition
Le lab d’innovation produit au sein de Workleap
La gestion d’humains en tech… et plus encore!
C’est l’audio de l’événement l...
2023-09-281h 35SaaSpasseEp.47 - Georges Saad : Entrepreneur indestructibleAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec Georges Saad, co-fondateur chez Spektrum Media & Apollo13. Georges est aussi mon ami, mentor, et ex-partner chez Snipcart.
C’est un épisode assez significatif pour moi. Premièrement, c’est le plus long qu’on a jamais enregistré — mais je vous rassure, Georges a presque tout le temps de quoi d’intéressant à dire. Deuxièmement, c’est la première fois que Georges et moi on parle publiquement d’un paquet de sujets crunchy comme :
La vente de Snipcart, qui a franchement fessé notre amitié
Travailler ensemble et passer de boss/employé à...
2023-09-212h 13SaaSpasseEp.46 - Gérer plusieurs projetsAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec mon ami et co-hôte Antoine Meunier, head of product & design chez Blissbook.
On discute de jongler avec plusieurs projets en même temps.
Qu’on soit entrepreneur, développeur, marketer, designer—peu importe—on a souvent un “main” project et quelques “side” projects.
Pis souvent, on ne sait plus trop où donner de la tête. Jumelle à ça le fait qu’on est souvent aussi conjoint/conjointes, amis, parents, étudiants, hobbyists… ça devient chaotique vite!
Dans ce show-là, on donne des exemples et trucs sur comment prioriser...
2023-09-181h 06SaaSpasseEp.45 - Azaria Chavannes & Sébastien Robitaille : SaaS SweatAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec Azaria & Sébastien, co-founders de ProPulsion, une app de santé & mieux-être au travail.
On discute de :
Disrupt un marché avec un produit moins “beige”
Starter un SaaS sans avoir de background en tech mais avec un background sportif
Être deux généralistes à faire rouler une business
Utiliser la communauté pour s’aider
Être un parent et lancer une business
Passé à travers un processus d’incubation
Ah, pis on jase un peu du bon vieux “hustle & grind” culture en entrepreneuriat. Je suis un gros fan des deux gars, très content de...
2023-09-141h 24Life AcceleratedThe Evolution of Principal Financial Group's Digital Transformation Strategy with Ryan Downing, VP and CIO of Enterprise Business SolutionsPrincipal Financial Group is an American global financial investment management and insurance company who helps people create the kinds of lives they dream about, empowered by financial security and stability. But how do they approach their mission through a digital perspective? Ryan Downing, Vice President and Chief Information Officer of Enterprise Business Solutions at Principal Financial Group, discusses how technology, automation, and AI can enhance the customer experience, Principal Financial Group’s efforts towards evolving their focus from contracts to customers, the connection between employee experience and customer experience, and more. Hear how Principal Financial Gr...
2023-09-1328 min
SaaSpasseEp.44 - Copywriting : c’est pas de l’alchimieAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec mon ami et co-hôte Antoine Meunier, product designer chez Blissbook.
On discute de rédaction pour SaaS et en général.
On donne des exemples concrets sur comment :
Comprendre les différents contextes de copywriting
Établir son voice & tone
Rendre du texte rythmé et “scannable”
Écrire des intros accrochantes
Raconter une histoire en étant unique
Ah pis d’ailleurs, on raconte aussi quelques histoires vraies côté gestion du copy dans un SaaS.
—
SaaSpasse à Québec — édition 4
Le 19 octobre, SaaSpasse d...
2023-09-111h 15
L'AstuceL'Astuce no. 15 - François LevasseurJe reçois au balado l'Astuce François Levasseur,
François a été nommé au palmarès des 20 meilleurs entrepreneurs émergents par 15 organismes économiques, François incarne parfaitement le degré d’expertise qui caractérise toute notre équipe. Ses réalisations sont le fruit de 17 années d’expérience en développement technologique, en stratégie d’entreprise et en leadership qui ont mené à la création de nombreux logiciels de services financiers.
-Expérience à tous les échelons dans les secteurs des finances, de l’assurance vie et de la gestion de patrimoine
-Considéré comme un entrepreneur émergent d’élite dans le domaine du logici...
2023-08-3040 min
OnBase: Smashing Sales and Marketing MisalignmentsEp. 416 | Transformational Journeys: Insights into Equisoft's Evolution and Strategies for SuccessEpisode Summary
In this episode of Sunny Side Up, Devan Cohen interviews Vikas Kalra, a marketing professional with 15+ years of experience. With an MBA, Lean Six Sigma certification and a background in economics, Vikas discusses his journey from managing large accounts in paid search to his current role as a marketing leader at Equisoft. Based in Toronto, Canada, Vikas balances his professional life with his role as a father of two and his interests in spirituality, travel, and tea. He is a certified tea sommelier and a travel advisor in Ontario. Vikas sheds light on Equisoft's transformational...
2023-08-2421 minLife AcceleratedLeveraging Enterprise Data and AI for Customer-Centric Solutions with Jeff Donaldson, Mutual of America Financial Group Jeff Donaldson, SEVP and Chief Digital Officer of Mutual of America Financial Group, is responsible for leading the company's digital strategy and initiatives, he played a crucial role in driving technological innovation and enhancing customer experiences within the organization. He shares the strategic decisions and initiatives undertaken by the company to embrace digital transformation and meet the evolving needs of their customers. On this episode of Life Accelerated, Jeff Donaldson shares the company's journey towards digital transformation. He highlights the importance of addressing core business areas such as customer relationship management, core record-keeping systems, enterprise da...
2023-08-0927 min
Renegade Marketers UniteTuesday Tips: Brand and BudgetThis is a Tuesday Tips episode where you will hear host Drew Neisser, CMOs, and other B2B experts share their hard-earned wisdom and fresh marketing insights in a bitesize format. Featuring: Grant Johnson of Billtrust, Jean Sabbagh of Equisoft, Peeyush Dubey of TheMathCompany, Alex Diamond of Carbon Mapper, Marshall Poindexter of OpenEye Scientific, Tara Robertson of Bitly, Amy Messano of Altair, and Katrina Klier To see the video versions, follow Drew Neisser on LinkedIn or visit our YouTube channel—The Renegade Marketing Hub! And if you’re a B2B CMO, check out...
2023-07-1805 minLife AcceleratedBuilding a Technology-Enabled Foundation with Jeff Hughes, Chief Technology Officer at Brighthouse FinancialSpecial guest, Jeff Hughes, the Chief Technology Officer of Brighthouse Financial, takes us on a journey through the past five years of his professional life, where he played a pivotal role in successfully transitioning Brighthouse Financial to a new foundation. With over 200 transition services agreements and 100 programs and initiatives to navigate, Jeff and his team faced numerous challenges, but ultimately emerged victorious in their quest. On this episode of Life Accelerated, Jeff Hughes shares about the company's successful transition to a new foundation that involved exiting hundreds of agreements and initiatives. Jeff emphasizes the importance of a...
2023-07-1229 minSaaSpasseEp.22 - Claudia Marcotte : Santé mentale & entrepreneuriatAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec Dr. Claudia Marcotte, une ancienne directrice RH en SaaS qui a passé à travers un M&A, et qui est maintenant psychologue du travail avec sa propre entreprise de consultation.
On discute globalement de la santé mentale des entrepreneurs.
On contextualise le niveau de risque d’affaires associé à la psychologie des fondateurs. C’est fou de voir comment la vie personnelle & la vitesse de croissance en SaaS peut accentuer ces challenges-là.
On passe par un paquet de sujets fascinants comme les différents profils de fondateurs, la tolérance...
2023-06-221h 25Life AcceleratedAutomation, Digitization and Data with Deb Waters, Chief Technology Officer at AegonStep into the world of innovation and visionary leadership within the life insurance space. Meet Deb Waters, a true technologist and trailblazing force behind the digital transformation of Aegon N.V.. As Chief Technology Officer and esteemed member of the Management Board, Waters thinks of digital transformation as an end-to-end process, beginning with infrastructure and resulting in first class customer and distributor experience. On this episode of Life Accelerated, host Anthony O'Donnell sits down with Deb, and together they delve into her simplification of core systems and of the customer experience powered by emerging data sources and c...
2023-06-1426 minSaaSpasseEp.10 - Mathieu Dumont : Acquisitions & leadershipAujourd’hui sur le pod, je jase avec mon ami Mathieu Dumont, directeur produit chez GSoft et ex-CEO chez Didacte, qui a récemment été achetée par GSoft.
On discute rapidement du parcours de Mathieu et de Didacte, et ensuite on focus sur l’acquisition et fusion de leur startup dans une plus grosse compagnie au Québec. On creuse sur les motivations et challenges qui viennent avec la décision de vendre, et la réalité de la transition qui suit. C’est un beau success story du Québec, j’suis content qu’on conte l’histoire su...
2023-05-111h 36Life AcceleratedCreating Unforgettable Policyholder Experiences with Matt Berman, President of Foresters FinancialMatt Berman, a dynamic leader in the life insurance industry, brings over 16 years of experience to the table. Having held senior roles in product distribution and customer experience, Matt now serves as the President for both the US and Canadian markets at Foresters, a financial services company focusing on life insurance and investments. With a passion for delivering unique, value-driven experiences for policyholders, Matt is a key figure in driving Foresters' digital transformation journey, creating impactful and engaging solutions for members. In this episode, Matt covers the transformation of the life insurance industry through digital innovation, how m...
2023-05-1030 minSaaSpasseEp.8 - Émilie Carignan : Gérer des humains, projets et changementsAujourd'hui sur le pod, je jase avec mon amie Émilie Carignan, qui est une Fractional CMO indépendante (on va expliquer c'est quoi ce terme-là). C'est aussi une ex-collègue chez Snipcart et Duda, où elle était directrice marketing. On fait un recap de son parcours — elle a passé à travers des startups assez intéressantes.
Quelque chose de spécifique à propos d’Émilie : elle a vécu et contribué à plusieurs acquisitions. Donc on parle de gestion d’humains et de projets marketing en tech, mais aussi de gestion du changement durant des acquisitions & fusions. Puis on raconte aussi une couple d'an...
2023-05-041h 21Life AcceleratedHow to Ingest, Transform, and Feed Data with Voya’s Santhosh KeshavanVoya Financial, Inc. is a leading health, wealth, and investment company that helps Americans become well planned, well invested and well protected. But how do they do this from a digital perspective? Santhosh Keshavan, EVP and CIO at Voya, explains how they excel in the life insurance industry with their digital transformation efforts. He reveals the key components for digital transformation, their ambitious plans for the near future, the power of turning data into ‘intelligent data,’ and more. Hear how Voya Financial, Inc. is using data to their advantage to grow their impact in the mark...
2023-04-1227 minLife AcceleratedMetLife’s secrets to success with Bill PappasMetLife’s secret to success? Looking outside of the industry. MetLife is an insurance company dedicated to providing working-class Americans with financial protection and has helped generations of customers protect their property, finances, family and future. They are an insurance company that not only focuses on selling insurance, but they push people to live better and healthier lives. Bill Pappas, Head of Global Technology and Operations at MetLife, shares his role in the company, the strategies they implement that has led them to success, the digital capabilities they are adapting, and thei...
2023-03-0824 minLife AcceleratedUnlocking faster and more simplified life insurance: Legal & General America’s transformation journey with Raju SeetheramanLegal & General, U.K.’s number one life insurance provider, has been able to protect families for over 180 years—and is now bringing its digital transformation expertise to the US. Raju Seetharaman, SVP, IT and Transformation of the life insurance division of Legal & General America, reveals how they are navigating through regulations, customer expectations, and diversity to provide quick, easy, and affordable life insurance to Americans. Listen in to hear how Legal & General America is working to grow their impact and market share.
2023-02-1527 min
WealthTech TodayEp. 176: What Wealthtech Firms Can Learn From Global Markets, with Jonathan Georges, EquisoftThe post Ep. 176: What Wealthtech Firms Can Learn From Global Markets, with Jonathan Georges, Equisoft appeared first on and was written by Elana Iskowitz.
Come on in and sit back relax, you’re listening to Episode 176 of the WealthTech Today podcast. I’m your host, Craig Iskowitz, founder of Ezra Group Consulting and this podcast features interviews, news and analysis on the trends and best practices all around Wealth Management Technology. Before we get into the interview, if you are […]
The post Ep. 176: What Wealthtech Firms Can Learn From Global Markets, with Jonathan Georges, Equisoft appear...
2023-02-1000 minLife AcceleratedImproving the agent experience through digital transformation with Sammons Financial GroupWould you classify your company as one that experienced growth but now is in a dry spot and has plateaued? If so, Kelly Coomer, CIO of Sammons Financial Group, has an answer for you. Developing and evolving the business into a product mindset. Kelly is on the hunt to obtain technology to improve customer experience, keep employees satisfied, and hire and retain workers. She shares her journey and the changes that she has made in order to keep the company growing - all centered around the company-wide shif...
2023-02-0117 minLife Accelerated[REPLAY] How customers fuel technology transformation at AmeritasIn this replay episode, listen in to learn... How does a 150-year-old organization go from being “data rich, information poor, and analytically ignorant”, to leading the technology transformation in the life insurance industry? This is Ameritas’ story–and Richard Wiedenbeck is currently leading the innovation charge for this century-and-a-half-old institution. Richard Wiedenbeck, CTTO of Ameritas, joins Anthony to talk about how he’s helping to lead their charge in digital transformation.
2023-01-1821 minLife AcceleratedHow Western & Southern Adapted Digital Transformation to Meet Customer ExpectationsHow did the global pandemic accelerate digital transformation in your organization? At Western & Southern, they’ve adapted slowly to meet customer expectations. And SVP & CIO Jim Fitzgerald says that’s actually the best decision they’ve made. Fitzgerald joins the Life Accelerated podcast to reveal the ways in which the company acquired new players, experimented with and adopted new technologies, and shifted talent needs – all to meet customer demand.
2023-01-0419 minLife Accelerated[REPLAY] A 175-year-old data science innovation conversation with Penn MutualIn this replay episode, listen in to hear: Penn Mutual is an almost 2-century-old business—and they have the innovation and modernization to back up their longstanding success. But it doesn’t come without learning curves and experimentation. Enter Greg Driscoll, the COO of Life and Annuities. From moving to cloud services to implementing new applications and data management practices, Greg is innovating on a 175-year-old original data company’s data management and utilization strategy to prioritize not only clients but also your employees. Listen in to hear how the state of technology today is...
2022-12-2129 minLife AcceleratedLegal & General Reveals Their U.S. and U.K. Market Differences & StrategyLegal & General is the U.K.’s top life insurer in several categories. As they embark on the U.S. market, they have big ambitions. In this episode of Life Accelerated, Legal & General’s Chief Technology and Data Officer of the Retail Division Morgan Spillane reveals their globalization strategy and how technology plays a role. He also discusses the major differences between the U.K. and U.S. markets and the adjustment required to meet consumers’ demands. Tune in to hear insights from across the pond and here in our backyard.
2022-12-0721 minLife AcceleratedLife Insurance Is flooded with data: Celent’s Keith Raymond knows how to leverage itWe collected more information and data on the world in the last five years than the previous history of the universe. And the life insurance industry is finally coming around to data science. Thanks in part to the pandemic and digital transformation. But what should your organization be doing with all this information at your disposal? What are your first steps? Keith Raymond, Principal Analyst at Celent and author of the viral report Data Tsunami, reveals how to improve the customer experience by leveraging data and process automation.
2022-11-2327 minLife AcceleratedPutting “Life” Back in Life Insurance: How John Hancock has incentivized their customers to live longer, healthier, better livesWhere did the life insurance industry go wrong? To the average consumer, it’s perceived as more about death – than life. John Hancock is on a mission to put the “life” back in life insurance. Sporting key partnerships with Apple and other tech companies, they’re helping customers live longer, healthier, better lives. VP, Head of Behavioral Insurance at ManuLife Lindsay Hanson joins Life Accelerated to reveal how they’ve innovated with both amazing organizations and their own customers to bring about big change. You’ll also learn how customer...
2022-11-0926 minLife AcceleratedThe future of InsurTech with one of the industry’s first venture capitalistsInsurtech is no nascent industry. After ten years investing in the most innovative companies, Joel Albarella is optimistic about the present and future of life insurance. One of the industry’s first venture capitalists and SVP & Head of New York Life’s NYL Ventures, Albarella unearths the secrets of innovation and how New York Life is growing despite being around for more than 100 years. You’ll also learn why the recession is an opportunity for the industry and what fishing has to do with innovation.
2022-10-2628 minLife AcceleratedAgile is the way: How two life insurance giants will excel post-pandemicNo one expected century-old life insurance companies like Principal and Mutual of Omaha to succeed through the pandemic. Yet, they rolled with the punches–and even thrived. Life Accelerated’s Anthony O'Donnell is joined by Kim Pfiffner, Chief Information Officer at Principal and Brian Poppe, Chief Data Officer at Mutual of Omaha. Who reveal their secrets to success and predict future trends in the insurance industry. You’ll also learn why leadership is so important in the age of remote work, how agile is the solution to speed and risk, and why partnerships are the keysto...
2022-10-1215 minLife AcceleratedHow National Life has grown at a double digit rate for a decadeThe war for talent is over. And talent won. National Life has had a double-digit growth rate over the last decade—unheard of in the life insurance world. And CIO Nimesh Mehta attributes their success to a strong dedication to their people and a structure called teaming. Nimesh Mehta joins us on Life Accelerated to share how they’ve adopted technology faster than anyone else in the industry. He also reveals how to create a human-centered digital strategy, how to use it to remove friction from the buying process, and how National Life leveraged it to gro...
2022-09-2823 minLife AcceleratedBuilding an adaptable tech stack from scratch with EquitableWhat do you do when you don’t have legacy systems and the history of a longstanding company to build your digital transformation? According to Alyssa Arellano, Head of Technology Strategy at Equitable's employee benefits division, you use it as an opportunity to be agile, adaptable, and open to the future. Equitable’s employee benefits division started in 2015, and now in 2022, they cover nearly 700,000 people. Alyssa shares her 6 verticals for looking at customer interactions and how those dictate Equitable’s technology and digital transformation strategy. Listen in to hear how a newer company is thinking about technology differe...
2022-09-1424 minLife AcceleratedCreating innovation through simplification with CUNA Mutual“Our biggest competitor isn't another carrier—it's procrastination.” Those aren’t words you hear from a life insurance leader very often, but Kevin Cummer and Nick Rohan from CUNA Mutual have been on a journey to break down barriers in their industry. To focus on customer centricity, CUNA Mutual simplifies the process to obtain life insurance and leverages technology to better serve their customers. It sounds easy, but it hasn’t always been this way. Listen in as Kevin and Nick discuss how their teams have worked together to help build an innovative system to improve...
2022-08-3119 minLife AcceleratedThe Top 5 initiatives the most innovative industry leaders are prioritizingFrom MassMutual and New York Life to Protective and Mutual of Omaha. The Life Accelerated Podcast thus far has been a wealth of knowledge from leaders on the bleeding edge of digital transformation in the life insurance industry. Now, we look back at the top 5 digital transformation initiatives shaping the modernization conversation, including customer-driven change, cloud migration and talent recruitment. For a deeper dive into these initiatives and the core principles these leaders cite as imperative for digital transformation, read the latest eBook from Equisoft.
2022-08-1711 minLife AcceleratedBalancing the human & the machine to improve customer experience with Protective’s COO“Software is eating the world,” Marc Andreesen claimed in 2011. He was right. Technology is intertwined in nearly every facet of life insurance today. But Protective’s COO Cissy Williams takes a different perspective: We can’t forget about the human element. In her many experiences in stay-at-home motherhood and various professional roles throughout the industry, she’s learned that empathy is most important in creating products and services that people actually want and use. In this episode, you’ll learn how to balance the human and tech elements to improve both the employee and customer experience.
2022-08-0323 minLife AcceleratedA 175-year-old data science innovation conversation with Penn MutualPenn Mutual is an almost 2-century-old business—and they have the innovation and modernization to back up their longstanding success. But it doesn’t come without learning curves and experimentation. Enter Greg Driscoll, the COO of Life and Annuities. From moving to cloud services to implementing new applications and data management practices, Greg is innovating on a 175-year-old original data company’s data management and utilization strategy to prioritize not only clients but also your employees. Listen in to hear how the state of technology today is enabling Penn Mutual to revitalize its 175-year-old business promise—creating a healthy...
2022-07-2029 minLife AcceleratedForrester analyst on what the industry’s future holds & how to prepareIt’s hard enough to plan for tomorrow. What does the future hold for the life insurance industry? And how can we reach new generations who are skeptical? Ellen Carney, Principal Analyst at Forrester, lives in the data. In this episode of Equisoft’s Life Accelerated, she walks through the major risks facing the industry, how to progress and plan for the future, and what to prioritize as the consumer, product and market rapidly changes. Learn what’s next and how to act now.
2022-07-0631 minLife AcceleratedPrincipal CIO on how a strong IT relationship can revolutionize your businessWhen Principal went beyond using IT as a ticket submission center and instead leveraged their skillset, they started to drive meaningful business outcomes. Kim Pfiffner, VP & CIO of U.S. Insurance Solutions, discusses on Life Accelerated how they streamlined internal processes, simplified the customer journey and bolstered their digital products.
2022-06-2228 minLife AcceleratedHow Northwestern Mutual remains agile with customer needs52% of Americans trust financial service providers. That’s why Northwestern Mutual’s Chief Customer Officer Christian Mitchell has led product development with an open mind: To find new challenges along the way that perhaps are more important than the initial research stated. In this episode of Equisoft’s Life Accelerated podcast, Mitchell recounts the story of building Northwestern Mutual’s newest platform. They prioritized flexibility as today’s digital products must be both high-tech and accessible to all. Take it from Christian: Learn how to strike the right balance of art and science to ensure you’re giving your clients the...
2022-06-0827 minLife AcceleratedWhy Data Is the North Star at New York LifeConsumer expectations have shifted, and digital experiences are a prerequisite. The life insurance industry has been slow to innovate. Head of Strategic Capabilities Alex Cook discusses how New York Life has bucked the trend and led the industry in digital transformation, including agile development and artificial intelligence. Cook explains how investing in and partnering with technology startups have helped them meet modern customers’ demands. Learn how data science has played a pivotal role in helping New York Life customers prosper.
2022-05-2531 minLife AcceleratedLeveraging tech and data to meet digital demands with Mutual of OmahaThe last two years have been difficult for many life insurance companies. To meet the demands of a digital workplace and marketplace, some were forced to flip their business models nearly overnight. Others were well-positioned; They shifted priorities and embraced technology to serve their customers even better. Mutual of Omaha was one of those institutions. In this week’s episode of Life Accelerated, Mutual of Omaha’s Brian Poppe shares how the $10 billion organization adapted quickly and prioritized their talent and mission. Sharing his expertise as SVP of Technology Modernization, Brian discusses how important an efficient, effective, instant customer expe...
2022-05-1129 minLife AcceleratedThe big bets MassMutual has made to disrupt life insurance distributionIf your goal is market disruption, you need the right technology. This is Sherriff Balogun Jr.’s takeaway after his team at MassMutual successfully launched their B2C distribution channel, Haven Life. Sheriff–Head of Platform Transformation–shares his team’s 3 core pillars for digital transformation; learnings they gleaned directly from their success with Haven Life. He and host Anthony O’Donnell discuss how MassMutual has pulled off feats of innovation, while also remaining true to their core values.
2022-04-2725 minLife AcceleratedHow customers fuel technology transformation at AmeritasHow does a 150-year old organization go from being “data rich, information poor, and analytically ignorant”, to leading the technology transformation in the life insurance industry? This is Ameritas’ story–and Richard Wiedenbeck is currently leading the innovation charge for this century-and-a-half old institution. Richard Wiedenbeck, CTTO of Ameritas, joins Anthony to talk about how he’s helping to lead their charge in digital transformation.
2022-04-1321 minLife AcceleratedWelcome to Life Accelerated: How life insurers are achieving digital transformationThis is Life Accelerated–a podcast brought to you by Insurance Innovation Reporter in partnership with Equisoft. Anthony O’Donnell provides an unconventional approach to the life insurance industry, discussing the news you need to know while his guests share their insights from their perspective - an insurer’s perspective. They’ll discuss leadership, strategy, and management while reflecting on their shared human experiences— providing moments of encouragement and positivity to life insurers who want to accelerate their digital transformation efforts.
2022-03-1801 min