Sharon Giffen, a seasoned actuary with over three decades of experience, has been named to the board of directors at WorkSafeBC, effective Dec. 31, 2024. Her term will run until Dec. 31, 2027.
Giffen replaces Donald Smith, who served on the board as an actuary since 2018 and was reappointed in 2021. Smith’s contributions during his tenure included efforts to strengthen the board’s governance and improve the workers’ compensation system.
WorkSafeBC’s board of directors oversees the workers’ compensation system in British Columbia. Under the Workers Compensation Act, the board must include representatives from various professional fields, including health care, occupational health and safety, law, and actuarial science. It also requires representation from workers, employers, and public-interest stakeholders.
Giffen brings extensive experience in actuarial work, primarily within the life insurance sector. Before retiring from full-time employment, she held senior leadership roles at Foresters Financial, including president and CEO of its Canadian business unit and chief financial officer. Her career has also included roles in reinsurance and consulting in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean.
Since 2016, Giffen has transitioned to board service, sitting on the boards of four insurance companies. She chairs or participates in risk committees for each organization and has previously served on the board of a national property and casualty insurer.
Giffen’s volunteer leadership has included serving as past president of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and holding board roles with the Society of Actuaries and community organizations, including an opera company.
WorkSafeBC’s board plays a critical role in shaping policy and maintaining accountability for the province’s workers’ compensation system.