Hirjee blends personal insight with Beneva's focus on accessible, sustainable group insurance solutions
In a Benefits and Pension Monitor leader profile, Sunil Hirjee, vice president of group sales and partner experience at Beneva for Ontario, Western, and Atlantic Canada, offers insights on his role in balancing cost, care, and community within the group benefits sector.
Drawing from over 25 years of experience, Hirjee’s personal background as the child of first-generation immigrants has influenced his commitment to accessible and understandable group benefits for Canadians.
Hirjee aligns with Beneva’s emphasis on “mutualism” – a model that centres on member and community well-being over shareholder interests.
Both he and Beneva prioritize not only providing insurance but also educating clients on making the best use of their benefits.
“Knowing where to go for what you need is key, and private plans can help facilitate that with the right communication strategies,” Hirjee explains.
Addressing the financial challenges many small to medium-sized businesses face, Hirjee underscores the need for sustainable solutions in group insurance.
“My vision is to help position plan sponsors in a way that allows them to truly support their most valuable asset – their human resources – while ensuring they can do so sustainably over the long term,” he states.
He acknowledges that the rise in healthcare costs adds pressure on employers seeking to offer comprehensive support.
With a four-year IT investment, Beneva has created an ecosystem aimed at simplifying communication and helping users understand their benefits. This aligns with Beneva’s focus on wellness and preventive care, helping clients manage pressures from rising healthcare costs and evolving needs.
Following a recent Benefits Canada Healthcare Survey seminar, Hirjee commented, “None of the survey results we saw came as a surprise, which is great news because it shows we’re on top of what’s happening.”
He highlights Beneva’s diverse strategies to support plan sponsors, including drug cost management and flexible coverage options.
Hirjee’s leadership style is strongly rooted in relationship-building, emphasizing the importance of retaining clients as advocates for Beneva’s service.
“It’s not just about expanding our reach but ensuring that those who adopted us early on become ambassadors and advocates for their experience with us,” he explains. His commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) also drives his leadership approach.
As an immigrant and LGBTQ community member, Hirjee stresses that “if you haven’t created a culture of equity and inclusivity, then you’re not going to get that open willingness to share opinions that are so valid.”
Beneva's commitment extends to philanthropic efforts, particularly in mental health, through initiatives with institutions such as York University. This community focus reflects Beneva's broader goal of social responsibility, particularly in supporting mental health and well-being.
