Jacques Goulet steps into executive chair role as Jessica Tan takes over as president of Sun Life Canada
Kevin Strain, president, and CEO of Sun Life, has announced that Jacques Goulet will take on the role of executive chair effective September 30, with Jessica Tan succeeding him as president of Sun Life Canada.
Goulet, who joined Sun Life in 2018, has overseen significant growth and transformation. His key initiatives include establishing the Client Experience Office, launching Sun Life Health, Sun Life One Plan, and Prospr by Sun Life.
Goulet is recognized for his dedication to mental health advocacy, particularly in promoting workplace awareness and improving access to mental health services in Canada.
As executive chair, Goulet will focus on facilitating a seamless leadership transition and advancing key elements of the company's enterprise strategy.
He will continue as chair of the board for Dialogue, Sun Life Canada’s virtual care business, and the Canadian Life & Health Insurance Association.
Strain praised Goulet’s leadership, saying, “[Goulet] has built a culture at Sun Life that fosters creativity and challenges the team to go even further while leveraging an owner’s mindset. His leadership has resulted in Sun Life delivering positive and sustainable impact in Canadians’ lives.”
Tan, who will become president, brings extensive global experience in insurance and digital innovation. She is known for her expertise in digital transformation and healthcare.
Before joining the insurer, Tan was a partner at McKinsey, where she worked across more than 13 countries. Most recently, she was co-CEO of one of Asia’s largest insurers, having previously held the positions of Group COO and CIO.
Tan’s achievements have earned her a place among Forbes' The World’s 100 Most Powerful Women since 2019, and she has consistently ranked in the Top 5 of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women from 2019 to 2023.
In addition to her leadership roles, Tan is passionate about healthcare and elderly home care, having volunteered with public healthcare organizations in Singapore to promote technology integration and provide wellness, medical, and social services for elderly individuals living at home.
Strain expressed his enthusiasm for Tan’s appointment, stating, “[She] brings unique skills and capabilities to Sun Life and, most importantly, she is a great fit for our culture with a proven track record of having a client-focused mindset.”
