And the winner is…RIMS presents Donald M. Stuart Award

Daniel Desjardins, senior director of global risk management and insurance at Bombardier, has received the 2025 Donald M. Stuart Award. Desjardins received the award during RIMS’s Calgary conference this week. It was presented by the RIMS Ontario Chapter (ORIMS).

During a 44-year career in risk management, of which 35 were spent at Bombardier, Desjardins’ leadership and strategic insights were enhanced by a strong commitment to support future leaders in the risk field, and help them realize their professional goals. At Bombardier, those efforts account for the safety and well-being of the company’s more than 18,000 employees, the integrity of more than 5,100 aircraft and the resilience of properties across the world.

“Whether it is tackling a challenging project together, exploring new strategies to address complex risks, or a casual conversation about a colleague’s career, I’ve always felt supported by my peers and compelled to give that same energy back,” Desjardins says. “I never expected to be recognized for my professional accomplishments or the joy I get from collaborating with others through my RIMS involvement. I am incredibly humbled and honoured to be named this year’s Donald M. Stuart award winner.”

Pioneer efforts

Desjardins is also recognized within the risk management sector as a pioneer in the area of captive insurance and is credited with implementation of the first employee benefits captive in Canada in the early 2000s. He currently serves as president of Bombardier’s wholly owned captive as well as the company’s Quebec Pension Committees, which oversees seven pension plans and more than $7 billion in pension assets.

He’s been a member of the RIMS Quebec Chapter for 40 years and served on its board of directors for 15. Desjardins has also served on the national RIMS Canada Council and as chair of its National Conference Committee, and has been a guest lecturer at McGill University, presenting to students pursuing the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation.

“Daniel Desjardins is the epitome of a risk management leader,” said ORIMS president Gloria Dang. “His contributions have shaped risk strategies nationwide and left a lasting impact on the lives and careers of countless individuals through his work as a mentor and educator. ORIMS is proud to present Daniel with [the] Donald M. Stuart Award for his altruism and unwavering commitment to advancing the profession.”

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Kurdakov wins Fred H. Bossons Award

Also at the 2025 RIMS Canada Conference in Calgary, Aleksei Kurdakov, an underwriting associate at Ecclesiastical Insurance, received the Fred H. Bossons Award, presented by the Global Risk Management Institute (GRMI).

The award honours risk management professionals who earn the highest average mark on the three examinations required to attain the CRM designation.

The CRM designation provides risk professionals with a foundation of knowledge and skills needed to identify, assess, monitor and limit risks.

Phil Porado

Phil, an award-winning journalist with over 30 years of experience in financial topics, has been managing editor of Canadian Underwriter for more than three years.