We’re honoured to have Traci Boland join us as our 2017 IBAO President. As partner of Ontario West Insurance Brokers for the past five years, Traci brings a wealth of knowledge to the role and a great attitude about getting things done. Her theme this year is Come Together – promoting brokers, insurers and tech companies to work collaboratively towards a common goal. Here, a short Q+A to get to know our new President.
IBAO: How long have you been in the insurance industry?
TRACI: Should I count filing and answering phones for the brokerage during my summers off in high school? Or my stint at Mass Mutual in the US? Outside these, I’ve been full-time in the industry for 14 years.
IBAO: What was your first job?
TRACI: I was a clown, an elf, Rainbow Bright and a host of other characters that walked around shopping malls in London.
IBAO: Amazing. So you have experience with various mascots… we’ll keep that in mind. Who do you most admire?
TRACI: My dad.
IBAO: What’s the best thing about your job?
TRACI: Connections! I love meeting with people and getting to know their stories.
IBAO: What business books do you recommend?
TRACI: Am I supposed to read those? I figured reading all the industry-related articles during the day means I get to read my murder mysteries at night.
IBAO: Fair enough. In a movie of your life, what celebrity would play you?
TRACI: Amy Adams. And it would need to be a musical.
IBAO: What’s the best concert you’ve been to?
TRACI: Alanis Morrisette Unplugged – it brought me through every emotion I had in the 90s.
IBAO: Is it better to be perfect and late, or good and on time?
TRACI: Good and on time!
IBAO: What was your best learning experience?
TRACI: Moving to Finland on my own and not speaking the language.
IBAO: What would you consider your most significant career accomplishment?
TRACI: Becoming IBAO President of course.
IBAO: Other than family, what are you most passionate about?
TRACI: Travel.
IBAO: What’s something you’d be happy doing every day for the rest of your career?
TRACI: Eating Oreo Blizzards.
IBAO: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
TRACI: I’m a huge Elvis fan.
IBAO: What motivates you to succeed?
TRACI: My drive for more… you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take so I try to take as many as I can. Failure is not an option.
