The Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman reminds us that "There is always light, if only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it." Équité was built to be that light: not only to witness the insurance crimes in our community, but to have the courage to build a safer, more equitable community for all Canadians.

It is through that same lens that I reflect upon an extraordinary year of progress. In 2025, we advanced our AI and data analytics capabilities, strengthened strategic partnerships with government, law enforcement, and key decision-makers, and enhanced operational excellence to scale our services – all in pursuit of the core priorities at the heart of our 2025 – 2027 Strategic Plan, focused on recoveries, detection, and prevention.

Every new technology that brings greater convenience also creates new avenues for criminals. At Équité, we see that reality as an opportunity, turning these same technologies into powerful tools that illuminate what was once hidden. By developing learning algorithms that identify and stop fraud at its source, we are redefining what industry protection can look like. ÉQ Insights is transforming fraud detection by identifying those patterns faster, verifying data with greater precision, and equipping investigators with the actionable intelligence to act decisively. The platform played an essential role in dismantling an organized crime network, resulting in 18 arrests, more than 95 criminal charges, and two ongoing investigations.

After an incredible journey serving as Équité's inaugural President and CEO, I have decided to pass the torch at a very proud moment in time. I leave in place an incredibly talented team, a clear strategy, and an organization that has chosen, time and again, to be the light in a complex and challenging landscape. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to build the first Canadian Association that has grown into the national authority on insurance crime and fraud prevention. Watching Équité mature into an industry benchmark, setting the standard in insurance crime detection and prevention, has been a truly remarkable experience and I have every confidence that the best is still ahead.

I extend my deepest appreciation to our members, whose steadfast commitment demonstrates the strength of a unified industry.

I would also like to recognize the outstanding leadership of Paul Johnstone, our esteemed Board Chair, whose guidance, partnership, and unwavering support throughout my tenure have been instrumental to everything we have achieved. To the entire Board of Directors, thank you for your counsel and confidence in Équité's mission. And to the Équité team, words cannot fully capture my gratitude. Your talent, dedication, and belief in what we have built together have made every chapter worthwhile. It has been the privilege of a lifetime.

‍