Manulife Executives Jacqui Allard and Sue Reibel Among Canada's Most Powerful Women

TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC   
SEHK:945

TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2013 /CNW/ - Manulife Financial today announced that its executives, Jacqui Allard and Sue Reibel, have been recognized by the Women's Executive Network as two of "Canada's Most Powerful Women". The award recognizes women who are "proven achievers and strong contributors to their organization, their fields of endeavour and their communities."

Ms. Allard and Ms. Reibel were recognized in the Corporate Executive category which acknowledges excellence in management, corporate performance, community service, vision and leadership.

Jacqui Allard, Senior Vice President, Head of Operations and Chief Information Officer, Investment Division, is responsible for the global operations and information systems functions for Manulife's Investment Division. Ms. Allard also sits on the Advisory Committee of Women in Capital Markets, an organization devoted to the advancement of women in the capital markets field.

"Jacqui's exceptional intelligence, her strong leadership skills and unwavering commitment to Manulife have been invaluable to the firm," said Warren Thomson, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer. "In just four short years, Jacqui transformed our operations, reporting and analytics systems to become significantly more productive than our industry peers. That is just one reason she is such a highly valued and respected member of our team."

Sue Reibel, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions, is responsible for the teams who meet the employee benefits and retirement needs of Canadian employers and their employees. Ms. Reibel also serves as a member of the Board of Governors and Investment Oversight Committee for Wilfrid Laurier University as well as Chair of the University's Pension Committee.

"Sue's leadership skills and strong business acumen have taken Manulife's group retirement business to the number one sales position in Canada, a position we have held for three years" said Paul Rooney, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "Her contributions to the industry are not confined to Manulife. Sue helped revolutionize retirement savings policy in Canada and was a thought leader in the area of Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs), an issue of great importance for Canadians. In fact, under Sue's leadership, Manulife became the first company in Canada to receive federal approval to administer PRPPs."

Recent Manulife recipients of the Canada's Most Powerful Women Award include: Gail Cook-Bennett, former Board Chair, Lynda Sullivan, Executive Vice President and Controller, Cindy Forbes, Executive Vice President and Chief Actuary, Stephani Kingsmill, Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Communications and Marianne Harrison, Senior Executive Vice President and General Manager, Canadian Division.

In 2013, Manulife Financial was also recognized as a Top 100 Employer in Canada for the third consecutive year and Top Employers for Young People for the second consecutive year. 

About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Clients look to Manulife for strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$575 billion (US$559 billion) as at September 30, 2013. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

Image with caption: "Jacqui Allard, Senior Vice President, Head of Operations and Chief Information Officer, Investment Division, Manulife Financial. (CNW Group/Manulife Financial Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131203_C5978_PHOTO_EN_34049.jpg

Image with caption: "Sue Reibel, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Group Benefits and Retirement Solutions, Manulife Financial (CNW Group/Manulife Financial Corporation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131203_C5978_PHOTO_EN_34051.jpg

SOURCE: Manulife Financial Corporation

Media Contact:
Bev MacLean 
Manulife Financial
[email protected]
416-852-8501