Meet the Team

Jim started out as an insurance adjuster and has worn many hats for insurers in both Canada and the United States. However, his life’s work for the past 30+ years has been the Reliance Insurance Group and he has been growing and nurturing it since he purchased a small brokerage in 1985.

Jim got involved in the marine insurance business in 2000 when he acquired a portfolio of BC pleasure craft insurance policyholders. Expanding across the country Pacific Marine now underwrites pleasure craft insurance in seven provinces with offices in Vancouver, London Ontario and Laval Quebec.

Today the Group of companies is comprised of seven insurance or insurance related businesses in both the wholesale and retail sides of the business and has grown to over 100 employees.

During his career, Jim has also been and industry leader in both the BC and national insurance communities. Jim also works tirelessly supporting his various charities and enjoys travelling with his wife Katie.

Connect with Jim: Linkedin

Nilanjana’s career path in insurance came from working with The Boiler Inspection and Insurance Company of Canada. She soon realized a career in underwriting would be a rewarding venture.

In 2007, looking to work in a different insurance product line, she joined Pacific Marine as the Marine Underwriter for the West Coast. She received her Chartered Insurance Professional designation in 2008. Over the years she assumed more responsibility for underwriting and broker relationships in the role of senior underwriter. She is currently the manager of the west coast office. Recently, Nilanjana has been appointed to the Market Committee Co-chair for the Marine Association of BC. The committee works in a collective effort to further enhance the knowledge and expertise in the best interest of members.

“The most rewarding part of working with an MGA is the unique experience of being a broker and an underwriter in one role,” says Nilanjana. “This is a challenging role that allows me to understand the needs of the broker and the opportunity to work with the security to build a product that best protects the end user client – the “insured”.

Nilanjana loves to spend time with family and friends. Her goal is to see a new country and experience a new culture at least every couple of years.

Connect with Nilanjana: Linkedin

After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Kwantlen Polytechnic University in October 2015, Breanna realized she was in need of a change. She was working a retail job where the company’s fast-paced, always-too-busy nature did not mesh well with her eagerness to learn from her superiors and advance further.

In July 2016, she left her retail job to join the Pacific Marine West team as a processor – the start of an insurance career path that she feels supports her desire to be in control of her own education and advancement. Since starting with the PMU team, she was promoted to an underwriting position in November 2018 and is on track to complete her CAIB designation in 2023.

In her personal time, one of Breanna’s favourite things to do is hit up a local restaurant for happy hour – she loves finding a good deal on food. When she needs some rest & relaxation, you can find her at the beach or family’s cabin in Point Roberts, WA.

Connect with Breanna: Linkedin

Allicia joined the Pacific Marine team as a summer student in May 2017, only to join the underwriting team permanently before the end of boating season. Allicia successfully achieved her RIBO license in the spring of 2018.

A continued passion for insurance, paired with the determination to learn and grow within the industry, Allicia is currently obtained her CMGA designation in 2022. Allicia joined the London Insurance Brokers Association (LIBA) Board of Directors in 2020, previously holding Political Action Direct, Social Director and Treasurer positions. Allicia currently holds the position of LIBA President.

Being one of 6 children, with 20+ years participating in competitive sports, Allicia has always been a leader and a team player.

On weekends you can find Allicia spending time with friends and family, or cruising with the top down in her orange Jeep.

Connect with Allicia: Linkedin

Working back in her native home in the middle east at an insurance brokerage was Rola’s inspiration to launch her insurance career in 2009 as an insurance agent, catering clientele from multiple provinces across the nation. Seeking new challenges and opportunities encouraged her to move on as a broker in 2014 and obtain her RIBO license collaborating with many insurance providers and managing her VIP book. Understanding the needs of the brokers and their various implications in the insurance industry enticed her to shift her career to underwriting and head to the MGA (Managing General Agent) world and join Pacific Marine Underwriting Managers Ltd as Vice President – Québec division.

After completing her RMC with honors, Rola is currently pursuing the CMGA designation. As a mother of two, family for Rola comes first, spending time with them, watching movies and outdoor activities is what she enjoys the most.

Connect with Rola: Linkedin

Having started her career as an analyst in life and disability insurance, it was in 2016 that Katy decided to take a leap into risk management in damage insurance and join the team of Pacific Marine Underwriting Managers Ltd. for the Quebec division as a Junior Underwrite.

Coming from a small remote town in the heart of Quebec, Katy understands the mentality of the Quebec market and the needs of brokers. Her passion for research, her sense of detailed analysis and her communication skills with our broker partners enabled her to advance as a senior underwriter in 2018.

Katy values ​​family and spending time with loved ones is what she enjoys the most. In her spare time she is particularly fond of cosmetology as well as watching films and documentaries.

Connect with Katy: Linkedin

After 9 years in the travel industry, she decided to get into Insurance by chance. In November 2020, she completed her training with Intact and obtained her Personal Damage Insurance License. She began her career as a Damage Insurance Agent. However, her dream is to work in Underwriting. In April 2022, she seized the opportunity to be a Personal Damage Insurance Underwriter with Aviva. In January 2023, In order to deepen her knowledge in Insurance, she started her CIP. She wants to become a reference in the field of Insurance. In January 2024, she had the opportunity to specialize in Marine Insurance, so she joined Pacific Marine Québec.

Mother of two little boys, family always comes first for her. She enjoys spending time with her family, gaining new knowledge, cooking and traveling is what she loves the most.

With a background in digital marketing and design, Steffi is the person behind branding and social media.

Steffi’s career started back in 2012 working for a tourism based digital agency where she worked with top resort brands and tourism destinations from her country of origin, the beautiful Dominican Republic. She also worked with Remax DR, financial and advertising companies.

In 2016, looking to experience life abroad, Steffi moved to British Columbia and joined the Reliance Group Marketing Team as the Digital Marketing Coordinator. Since coming on board, Steffi has revamped the brand identity for all the REL Group of Companies brands. In true millennial fashion, creating and making connections in the digital world is Steffi’s passion, and it shows.

“Bringing brands to life is something I really enjoy doing. I also love technology and design, and I am lucky I get to do exactly that for PMU.”

Steffi loves to spend time with her son and husband. She also enjoys drinking hot coffee every morning, and going to the gym every night.

Connect with Steffi: Linkedin