If attracting, retaining and engaging top talent is an HR priority for small to mid-sized and enterprise-level employers alike, supporting their health and financial wellness is equally important.

Michael has dedicated his career to helping organizations empower their employees’ success with innovative group benefit solutions. “I’ve always found it rewarding to help our clients achieve their business goals, while also giving employees and their families the opportunity to live better by supporting their mental, physical and financial well-being.”

That passion has been passed down across generations. Michael earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Concordia University—and soon after the Life License Qualification Program designation for insurance professionals—before joining his father Irwin, a long-time group benefits broker, at the Creative Planning Financial Group in 2001. After several years at CPFG, Michael would go on to launch his own firm, The Employee Benefits Company (TEB/CO). He quickly earned a reputation for his responsiveness, industry knowledge and creative approach to employee benefits program design. He brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as a Bridgewell founding partner. “Our increasingly-globalized economy is creating rapid shifts in almost every industry, so companies need ingenuity and flexibility to compete for talent,” he says. “If we can deliver a bespoke employee benefits program that helps them gain an edge, we’ve done our job.”

Michael is a long-standing member of the Canadian Group Insurance Brokers and a former member of Manulife Financial’s Small Business Advisor panel. A thought leader in the field, he has authored articles for several industry publications and has delivered numerous group benefits seminars highlighting trends in technology, wellness and the mechanics of operating a successful benefits practice.

A few things you should know about Michael:
An active runner and outdoor sports enthusiast, he spends as much time as possible enjoying camping, hiking, skiing and mountain biking with his wife and four children. His passion for the arts remains as strong as it was during his university days. Michael is a fan of photography, art, design and architecture.