2025 Underwriters of the Year | Ryan Pardy, Intermediate P&C Underwriter, Aviva Canada

Ryan Pardy grew up in insurance, inspired by his mother’s successful career. He first joined the industry in 2019 as a data processor at HUB International before moving into an underwriting assistant role at Aviva Canada in 2021. He quickly progressed to junior underwriter before moving up to his current role, Intermediate P&C Underwriter.

He is working on completing his CIP designation and plans to pursue his CRM in 2026. Outside of work, Pardy enjoys golfing, woodworking, snowboarding, and volunteering through AvivaGives, with tree-planting initiatives close to his heart.

“Having my commitment and expertise recognized by my broker partners means a great deal to me,” Pardy says of his award nomination by A-Kan Insurance, a member of the Canadian Broker Network, Canada’s largest network of independent brokers.

Q: What’s key to a great working relationship between underwriter and broker, and why is this more important than ever?


“Mutual trust is the cornerstone of a strong and effective relationship. Open communication helps us work through market challenges and deliver better outcomes for customers.”

Q: Why did you become an underwriter, and what do you love most about your role?


“You could say I was born into the industry. My mom, Mary Pardy, worked in insurance for nearly 30 years before recently retiring, and insurance was always part of the conversation growing up. Watching her thrive in various roles made me curious about what makes the company side special. When the opportunity at Aviva came up, I didn’t think twice. I was drawn to the investigative side of underwriting: piecing together submissions, asking questions, and solving problems. But what I love most are the people — building relationships with broker partners and colleagues.”

Q: What’s the biggest challenge for underwriters today, and how can they overcome it?


“Bridging the gap between underwriters and brokers. Every insurer has unique guidelines, which can be hard to explain. Transparency helps brokers explain to their customers why insurers make certain decisions and ask certain questions.”

Q: What’s one opportunity underwriters should focus more on in today’s marketplace?


“Standing out by being approachable and collaborative. Ask the right questions, be consistent, and pick up the phone. Brokers remember underwriters who add value beyond the quote. Underwriters today need to be creative, disciplined, and focused on long-term broker relationships despite shifting pressures.”

Q: Given that talent shortages remain a challenge, what would you say to encourage more people to join the industry?

“Insurance offers more than people realize: career growth, continuing education, flexibility, great people, and lifelong friendships. Whether you’re into underwriting, claims, or brokering, there’s room to explore and grow.”

Q: How do you see AI and technology impacting underwriting?


“AI is a powerful tool that will help us work more efficiently and make more informed decisions. But it won’t replace the human creativity, emotion, and communication skills that are necessary in underwriting. Our role involves crafting tailored solutions, and showing empathy and judgment beyond what algorithms can replicate.”

Q: What skills are needed for underwriting leadership?


“The best leaders I’ve worked with are open and fair, and not afraid to challenge the norm. They encourage growth and critical thinking while aligning to company values and goals and supporting the team. A key part of the leadership journey is building strong underwriter-broker relationships that help develop the confidence and skills needed to advance.”

Q: Canada continues to suffer pressures like natural catastrophes, auto theft, fraud, and tariff impacts. How can brokers and underwriters better collaborate to help Canadian consumers manage risk?


“It comes down to education. When brokers and underwriters work together to explain risks and coverage clearly, clients are empowered to make better decisions. By sharing knowledge and collaborating, we can help clients understand what coverage they need — and why it matters.”

The Canadian Broker Network Underwriter of the Year awards is a flagship program that CBN has been running on behalf of its members for over a decade. The program is exclusive to CBN in partnership with Canadian Underwriter magazine. The categories allow for each of our member firms, at their option, to select one commercial lines underwriter winner and one personal lines underwriter winner from a primary market, as well as a commercial underwriter from an MGA. The criteria includes underwriting excellence and risk knowledge; prompt and effective responsiveness back to CBN members; writing business that satisfies clients’ needs while creating a win-win for the broker and the insurer; a positive, helpful attitude; and investing time to develop trusting relationships with brokers.

Full list of 2025 Underwriter of the Year Award Recipients