RIBO’s new CEO

The Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) Council has appointed Mark Abraham to the role of chief executive officer, effective June 1, 2025. 

He succeeds Patrick Ballantyne, who will retire after 20 years with RIBO, and 10 years as CEO. Ballantyne will remain with RIBO as a strategic advisor until June 30 during the leadership transition, the Ontario broker regulator announced.  

Abraham is currently RIBO’s secretary-treasurer and director of finance and corporate services, a role he’s held since March 2022. In this role, he’s responsible for RIBO’s finance and accounting, human resources, communications, strategic management and facilities management, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“As RIBO’s current director of finance and corporate services, Mark is able to hit the ground running in his new leadership role,” says RIBO council president Thomas Watson. “I am thrilled to be able to make this announcement appointing RIBO’s fifth-ever CEO.” 

Before joining RIBO, Abraham worked in several sectors, including post-secondary education, technical communications, public policy, and technology. His prior role was at Blueprint ADE, a research and advisory firm for governments and non-profits. He has more than 16 years of executive leadership experience, as well as several years of non-profit board experience, RIBO says.  

Abraham holds a Master’s in Business Administration from York University’s Schulich School of Business, specializing in strategic management. He completed his Bachelor’s of Mathematics in computer science from the University of Waterloo. He’s also a certified corporate financial planning and analysis professional. 

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“I am honoured to take on the role of CEO at such a pivotal time,” Abraham says in a statement. “I look forward to working closely with our talented team to launch our strategic plan in the coming months, and to continue to deliver upon and strengthen our mandate.” 

RIBO is in the process of finalizing its 2025-28 strategic plan, Watson says.  

“[Abraham] will lead our team and organization in the successful execution of that plan, enhancing the impact of our regulatory initiatives, strengthening connections with both consumers and the industry, and bringing forth increased efficiencies in day-to-day operations,” he says.

Alyssa DiSabatino

Alyssa Di Sabatino has been a reporter for Canadian Underwriter since 2021, covering industry trends, market developments, and emerging risks.