Education & Panel

Steve Earle is President of Bauld Insurance, an independent brokerage with more than 80 years of history serving clients across Atlantic Canada. He has worked in the insurance industry for over 30 years, with experience in claims, brokerage operations, technology, and commercial insurance.

Steve began his insurance career in 1995 as a Claims Adjuster with The Citadel Assurance in Toronto. In 2008, he and his wife, Sara, purchased her family's brokerage, where Steve had previously worked as Business Development Manager, and have continued to grow the business while maintaining its focus on independent advice and service.

In 2016, Steve founded WebBroker Canada Inc. and helped launch Cheep Insurance, a digital brokerage designed to make purchasing insurance simpler and more accessible. Following the company's acquisition in 2024, he continues to have an interest in the role technology can play in improving the insurance experience for brokers and consumers alike.

Steve has been actively involved in the insurance industry through a variety of volunteer and governance roles. He has served as Chair of Nova Scotia's Young Brokers Network and his local Business Association. He currently serves on the Technology Committee of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC), is a member of the Canadian Broker Network (CBN), previously served on the Board of Directors of the Centre for the Study of Insurance Operations (CSIO), and is currently a Director with the Insurance Brokers Association of Nova Scotia (IBANS).

Steve is also co-founder and co-host of The Digital Insurance Pint Podcast (DIPP), where he and fellow Canadian brokers discuss technology, innovation, and trends affecting the broker channel.

Tom is CEO of Wedgwood Insurance Limited, a property and casualty insurance broker in St. John’s, NL, Canada. Wedgwood is one of the largest privately owned insurance brokers in Atlantic Canada and remains fiercely independent. In 2024, Wedgwood was named “Business of the Year” at the St. John’s Board of Trade Business Excellence Awards for its commitment to culture, staff development, and growth.

He has led organizations of all sizes, starting with his own small brokerage in 1984 with 3 staff, progressing to a multi-branch national organization from 2017 to 2024 and back to a regional business in 2025. He sits on the Board of CSIO as well as the Advisory Board for the Memorial University Faculty of Business.

Tom resides in St. John’s with his wife Lori and Maltese Scottie, and enjoys hiking, boating and rocking out with his classic rock band, Any Other Tuesday.

Steven Taylor is a technology ambassador, entrepreneur, and executive leader committed to advancing Newfoundland and Labrador through transformative technology and ecosystem engagement. He serves as Co-CEO of Keyin College and CEO of Learning Labs, bringing extensive leadership experience across private post-secondary education, technology, business development, and innovation-driven industries.

Since joining Keyin College in 2019, Steven has helped guide the strategic growth of one of the province's longest-standing private education providers. Founded in 1980, Keyin operates seven campuses across Newfoundland and Labrador, with a focus on the Health Care, Technology and Energy sectors.

Steven's career is rooted in entrepreneurship. He has founded and led several Newfoundland and Labrador technology startups, developing innovative products for healthcare, retail, utilities, aerospace, and oil & gas, among others. Earlier in his career, he served as Vice President of Business Development for the Aerospace and Defence Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, supporting growth across one of the province's most strategic industries.

A proud graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, Steven holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. This combination of technical depth, business leadership, and applied innovation has shaped a career focused on workforce development and technology-enabled education.

Beyond his professional work, Mr. Taylor is a Founding Sponsor of Sick Kids A.I. (SKAI) and an active member of the Canadian Council of Innovators. He mentors and advises a wide range of technology startups across the province and remains deeply engaged in his local community, where he lives with his wife, three children, dogs, chickens, and rabbits.

Peter Braid was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) in February 2017.

Peter has extensive experience in government, public service, private industry, and the insurance sector, with a proven record in policy development, advocacy, and consensus building.

Peter served for seven years as the well regarded and respected Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo. During his time in government, the Prime Minister appointed him Parliamentary Secretary for Infrastructure and Communities, and he served as the founding Chair of the Insurance Caucus on Parliament Hill.

As CEO of IBAC, Peter has renewed and strengthened the organization while advancing a more unified national voice for brokers. He has led several national initiatives to support brokers, expanded IBAC’s advocacy for consumer protection, and enhanced the association’s reputation with governments and consumers.