Lori Thebeau | Western Financial Group

Lori Thebeau, Group Branch Manager, Western Financial Group; President, Insurance Brokers Association of New Brunswick

When it comes to relationships, Lori Thebeau knows how to build and maintain them. After 33 years in the industry, amidst all the changes, she still loves the reward of relationships the most.

President of the Insurance Brokers Association of New Brunswick (IBANB) and branch manager for Western Financial Group in Woodstock, Thebeau fell into the industry. She had just finished college when an adjuster came into her father’s fire station and asked if he knew anyone who might be able to fill in for an administrative assistant on sick leave.

“I had originally wanted to do medical transcription or legal administration,” says Thebeau, who took the job, ended up loving it, and stayed on.

When the office closed, she accepted an invitation to join a larger nearby firm and trained to become a broker. At that firm about nine years, Thebeau started in the commercial department, but felt most connected with personal lines. “I am very much a relationship person,” she explains, “and this business is all about relationships.”

Offered her current role as branch manager in 2012, Thebeau initially turned it down. When it was presented again in late 2014, the timing was right, though she felt unsure about whether leadership was something she could do.

“Usually when you think of leaders, you think of powerhouse women,” she says. “I tend to be more reserved and lead with a lot of humility. When I came into this job, they allowed me to lead as I am. They embraced it, so I was able to turn what I thought were weaknesses into my strengths.”

Encouragement led her to take a chance and volunteer to be part of the IBANB. The association’s executive director, Becci Taylor — someone Thebeau sees as a powerhouse woman — suggested she give it a try. She truly enjoys this role at the association as well, and has realized over time she has a voice and something to say.

“I feel like I’ve come into my own,” she shares. “Finally.”

Calling herself her own biggest obstacle, Thebeau says the combination of being around strong women who have pushed her forward, finding her voice, and realizing that quiet leadership is actually quite powerful, has helped her overcome her doubts.

In fact, Thebeau says the best advice she can give to other women is to find — and use — their voices, too.

“One way women will get into those leadership positions is to not be afraid of putting themselves out there. We don’t grow when we don’t get out of our comfort zone. Ask the questions, talk the talk, shadow someone or be that person shadowed.”

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Thebeau cites five people who have helped her do just that:

• husband Wesley, her biggest overall cheerleader and supporter
• Anne Dobbelsteyn, the first person who took a chance on her
• David Huestis, who also taught her a lot
• Christine Bishop, a supervisor who pushed her beyond her comfort zone and was her “rock” during difficult personal times
• Becci Taylor, who encourages Thebeau each day. 

“She [Becci Taylor] helped me realize I could bring a different perspective to the [IBANB]. She’s had a huge impact on my confidence. She reminds me what I have to say makes a difference.”

Together, they are helping support other women, too. IBANB now promotes some events specifically designed for women. This May, for example, they will host a breakfast featuring a broker panel of women in leadership roles.

“We aren’t men,” says Thebeau. “We have unique strengths. We see the world a little differently. We need to be true to ourselves, and we need to lift each other up.”