REGINA ‑ After an extensive national search led by SGI’s board of directors, SGI’s own Penny McCune has been selected to replace former president and CEO Andrew Cartmell, who retired April 4.
McCune has been with SGI for 36 years and counting. She joined the company in 1985 as a temporary junior clerk and is currently the executive vice-president and chief operating officer of the Auto Fund. On June 1, she’ll become SGI’s first female president and CEO.
“On behalf of SGI’s board of directors, I’m pleased to congratulate Penny on her promotion to president and CEO,” said Denis Perrault, chair, SGI board of directors. “As a long-standing SGI employee, Penny has extensive experience in the insurance industry and understands SGI’s unique opportunities and challenges as both the compulsory auto insurance program in Saskatchewan, and a competitive insurer. She’s a strong, strategic and passionate leader with a focus on delivering value for customers, stakeholders and SGI’s business partners.”
“I’m truly honoured to be SGI’s next president and CEO,” said McCune. “I’ve grown up at SGI, so I know this company well. I understand its value, I care about it and I believe I can lead it in a manner that will protect its uniqueness and its value to the province. I’m excited to contribute to SGI’s continued success and look forward to what the future holds.”
Some of McCune’s key strategic leadership roles at SGI include:
Executive vice-president and chief operating officer, Auto Fund (2016-22). Among her many accomplishments in this role are championing and modeling of SGI’s leadership culture, her dedication to making roads safer for Saskatchewan residents and her continued commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience, according to SGI.
Executive vice-president, Claims and Salvage (2014-16). McCune led the development of a vision for the ideal claims process through customers’ eyes and implemented service enhancements to improve the customer experience.
Executive vice-president, Customer and Distribution Strategy (2012-14). McCune created a new division with a goal to transform SGI into a customer-centric organization – a legacy that lives on today.
Assistant vice-president, Canadian Operations, SGI CANADA (2004-12). She led the expansion into the Alberta property and casualty market, and subsequently assumed responsibility for Alberta and Manitoba regional operations, as well as underwriting for all out-of-province products. McCune also had the opportunity to experience running an Ontario insurance company when she became interim chief operating officer of Coachman Insurance.
McCune was born, raised and educated in Saskatchewan. She holds a Bachelor of Administration from the University of Regina and Chartered Insurance Professional designation from the Insurance Institute of Canada. She lives in Regina.
Cartmell retired from SGI after 12 years with the company. He was SGI’s longest-serving president and CEO. While the search for Cartmell’s successor was underway, Jeff Stepan, executive vice-president and chief financial officer, was appointed interim president and CEO effective April 5. Stepan will hold that title until McCune takes over June 1.
