President & CEO

darwyne.lang@apriinc.com
416.849.8080
 

My Life Plan…

I’ve been in the insurance industry over 30 years. That’s 30 years invested in doing something I truly enjoy and I’m fortunate because of it. I get to go to work every day and help people just like me – with families just like mine – plan their lives and ensure that the people they care for most in life are taken care of. That’s really why I’m in business – to do right by my clients.

When I’m not in the office, I’m spending time with my family. It’s pretty great how close we are, like when we get together and play a round of golf on the weekend. Not only is it a chance for us to get outside and have a great time doing something we all love but it also gives me the time to stop and think about the fact that my sons still have fun hanging out with their mom and dad. After I do that, I just can’t seem to stop smiling.

Executive Vice-President

george.dunfield@apriinc.com
416.849.8064
 

My Life Plan…

I’ve worked in employee benefits for over 30 years and that’s a long time for anyone in any industry. So to say that I’ve seen a lot on my tenure would be an understatement. One thing I’ve come to notice about Apri is that we do things differently. Simple as that. Take our meetings for instance. Other companies would talk about sales figures first thing, we’d rather share stories about our clients instead. Building relationships with our clients and knowing who they are as people – that’s the fabric of who we are.

I’ve lived and worked in cities all over Canada but the truth is that I’m a country boy at heart. So beyond work, I love heading up to the family cottage. I spend summers at the cottage as often as possible and when I retire, I can’t wait to live up there full-time. But if I won the lottery today, (as in today-today), I don’t think I’d quit. Seriously, I love what I do – although I would probably drive a nicer truck. Helping my clients manage their benefits programs can come with some unique challenges but it can also be quite a bit of fun. And no matter what, it’s always rewarding.

Senior Vice-President

margaret.reid@apriinc.com
416.849.8063
 

My Life Plan…

I was raised in a house built by insurance. My father was in the business his whole life and he helped me to get a job in the insurance industry over 30 years ago. After working in insurance for as long as I have, I’ve realized that there is a distinct difference that sets Apri apart from everyone else. At other companies it can be profits first, people second. Here our only priority is always doing what’s right for the client. What they need is our priority and I love that. It gives me a real sense of pride about what I do and that means the world to me.

Just like my dad was for me, I look to be a role model for my two sons. They may not have followed in my footsteps but I believe that they’ve been able to learn from my work ethic and how I treat others. I approach my job and my clients with a deep sense of compassion. My children are now grown and have responsibilities of their own. To watch them approach life with the same level of dedication for what they do and a true compassion for others, leaves me an immense feeling of satisfaction that I really can’t put into words.

Senior Vice-President

gail.dunfield@apriinc.com
416.849.8126
 

My Life Plan…

I love adventure. My idea of a great time is to simply grab a few bags, take a few days and just go on a random trip somewhere new. It doesn’t have to be anywhere fancy. A road trip suits me just fine. I enjoy nothing more than the spontaneity of travel and experiencing everything and anything to do with the great outdoors. My dream is to find more time to do just that.

My cottage is such a relaxed environment and it’s where you can find me being me. But I still love my job and after more than 30 years in employee benefits, I have found a home at Apri where I can really make a difference helping clients. I appreciate the family atmosphere that we’ve built here; we make decisions together, as a team and everyone is not just a co-worker but an asset when it comes to serving our clients.

Senior Vice-President, Group Retirement Services

david.wright@apriinc.com
416.849.8077
 

My Life Plan…

Two passions that I love to lose myself in are the cottage and golf. At the cottage there’s always something that needs to be repaired or looked after and I always feel a sense of pride at being useful with my hands. Golf on the other hand is a constant challenge because there’s no such thing as perfection. All I’m ever trying to do is improve each and every time I get the chance to take a swing.

I look at work the same way; I’m always striving to do better by my clients. I have close to 30 years experience in investment and client services and I thought I knew how things were done. And then I became a part of Apri. Joining Apri quickly changed how I looked at my job – what I previously viewed as a “numbers game” transformed into a “helping people game”. That kind of thinking and difference in approach has everything to do with Apri and their “client first” way of doing things.

Senior Consultant

chris.mcfarland@apriinc.com
416.849.8069
 

My Life Plan…

It’s important for me to be healthy and to keep fit so that I can do my part to ensure that I’m around for the important things. The interesting thing is that living fit has quickly become a labour of passion. I start every morning at 5:30 am and run, regardless of the weather or if I’m not really feeling like it. I know that regardless of how I’m feeling before I run, I know that after the run, my mind will be clear and I will feel fantastic. I’ve started to think of my morning run as moving meditation.

I’ve been in the benefits field for nearly 15 years but it’s here at Apri that I can put into practice what caring for the client is supposed to be about. When I look at my work and how we do things at Apri, I think my job helps my clients achieve their own state of well-being and that’s a pretty fantastic feeling.

Senior Consultant Manager, Consulting Services

tanya.dawber@apriinc.com
416.849.8079
 

My Life Plan…

My background and education are in Human Resources. I spent 15 years in HR related roles. I always loved employee benefits best out of all areas within HR. Ten years ago I made the switch to insurance, got my life license and specialized in employee group benefit plans. I think that was the best decision I ever made. I love doing what I do with clients and their employees.

I chose Apri so that I can return to my passion for helping people. Our business is very much about people, not just the numbers!

My drive to be the best I can comes from my family — both people and fur babies. I have a wonderful husband, 2 kids, 1 grandbaby and another one on the way! Mike and I have two dogs, Tucker (in the picture,) and Shelby, a pug, who is my shadow. They give me the fuel to work hard for our customers.

My husband and I spend our time travelling wherever and whenever we can. The travel bug has definitely bit us! When we are at home, we love golf and getting out on the lake fishing (or reading in the front of the boat while Mike fishes).

Consultant

todd.elson@apriinc.com
416.849.8070
 

My Life Plan…

After working 15 years in the insurance industry where I’ve even been a partner in my own company, I have found a true sense of satisfaction to be part of a company like Apri. It’s a company where I finally have the support I need to really focus on the service and advice that my clients deserve.

Before moving into insurance, I worked in the music business for Warner Brothers Publishing. Music has been a hobby and a passion of mine since I was a teenager. I play guitar, in fact I have six of them and I’ve given even more away. I write music all the time. My dream is that one day, a recording artist will perform or record one of my songs. Music seems like it would be a very different pursuit than my job; however, there are similarities. There is room for creativity in this business as we explore the numerous options available in an effort to find only the best solutions that fit the needs of our clients.

Consultant

shanti.longstaff@apriinc.com
416.849.8057
 

My Life Plan…

I have been in the insurance industry for 6 years and I get a great sense of pride and satisfaction knowing that I am helping people achieve their goals and protect themselves and their families. It is nice to finally be at Apri, a company where the main focus is always on the client and ensuring that you are doing what is best for them.

Personally, I have a huge love for yoga and I look forward to the time I spend on my mat everyday. The practice has truly given me a new appreciation for the strength of the body and mind and has given me the ability to “live in the moment”.

I also have a huge passion for food and travel and love nothing more than being close to the water.  My ideal getaway would include the beach, a meal consisting of fresh, local food and of course my yoga mat!

Senior Technical Analyst

shelly.fournier@apriinc.com
416.987.4516
 

Client Service Consultant

marg.pecora@apriinc.com
416.849.8056
 

Client Service Consultant

kim.vepsa@apriinc.com
416.840.9906
 

Client Service Consultant

sarah.malone@apriinc.com
416.849.8066
 

Associate Consultant

leslie.sproul@apriinc.com
416.849.8065
 

New Business & Service Consultant

helen.martins@apriinc.com
416.849.8074
 

Senior Technical Analyst

patty.daly@apriinc.com
416.849.8076